Of course I don't know anything besides most American films, so it will be hard for me to give you the scoop on anything from abroad, but a few notable non-American films did catch my eye when browsing the festival's schedule based on the reputation of the people making them.
Since the festival spans a good deal of time, I figured I would start by previewing just this weekend's fare, which is substantial, and then cover the rest on Monday. I've highlighted one interesting film from each night and listed some notable other showings below it.
Thursday, Sept. 10
"Antichrist" - Lars Von Trier
This dramatic horror film from Danish director Lars Von Trier was so controversial when it debuted earlier this year at Cannes, that the jury gave it the festival's first anti-award for its misogynistic views. Interesting considering Von Trier won the Palm D'or in 2000 for his film "Dancer in the Dark." "Antichrist" stars Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg as a couple whose son falls out a window to his death while they're doing it, causing the wife to become depressed. They retreat to a cabin in the woods where things get crazy, to put it lightly. To get an idea for how intriguingly horrific this film is, take a look at these posters. One is a hauntingly brilliant poster and the other gives you a sense of what's been said about this film. If you're curious enough, the film will hit art house movie theaters on October 23.
Other Thursday showings: "Broken Embraces" - Pedro Almodovar (Spain), "Jennifer's Body" - Karyn Kussama
Friday, Sept. 11
"Dorian Gray" - Oliver Parker
The Oscar Wilde story gets a modern flourish thanks to Oliver Parker, who's done many other Wilde adaptations in the past. The film just opened in the UK but has no US release date as of yet. My guess is it won't be long after TIFF before it gets one. The film stars "Prince Caspian" hearthrob Ben Barnes as the eternal youth with an aging portrait of himself and co-stars Colin Firth, "Peter Pan" remake's Rachel Hurd-Wood, Emilia Fox ("Cashback") and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" beauty Rebecca Hall.
Other Friday showings: "The Informant!" - Steven Soderbergh, "The Men Who Stare at Goats" - Grant Heslov and vampire flick "Daybreakers" - Peter and Michael Spierig
Saturday, Sept. 12
"Defendor" - Peter Stebbings
Woody Harrelson stars as a self-made and powerless superhero vigilante named Defendor who is just a loser guy under the delusion of being attacked by the mysterious "Captain Industry." He befriends a druggy prostitute in Kat Dennings ("Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist") and his friends and family try and convince him to give up the act.
With "Kick-Ass!" due out in the spring, another comedy about other self-made superheroes, whoever picks up "Defendor" will have to make a serious decision about what to do with it. TIFF marks the film's world premiere and having seen the trailer, I have to say that it holds promise as a dark comedy. Nobody can play dumb hero like Harrelson, that's for sure. (View Trailer here)
Other Saturday showings: "Up in the Air" - Jason Reitman, "A Serious Man" - Joel and Ethan Coen, "Whip It" - Drew Barrymore
Sunday, Sept. 13
"Capitalism: A Love Story" - Michael Moore
Of all the controversy that constantly swarms Michael Moore, one thing is for sure: Dude loves him those Canadians, so it should come as no shock that the film will make it's second ever showing at TIFF. This film will hit at a time where party politics is at one of its all-time lows, so it might make sense to say the film might be more controversial in a America than "Antichrist" will be.
Other Sunday showings: "Precious: based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire" - Lee Daniels, "The Road" - John Hillcoat
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