TIFF’08 organizers have announced 11 films to be screened for the Gala Presentations. As well as two will be showcased in the Special Presentations category.
Below is the full list:
GALA PRESENTATIONS:
Public Enemy No. 1/Mesrine: L’Énnemi public no. 1 (Jean-François Richet, France/Canada)
Work-in-Progress
Vincent Cassel plays Jacques Mesrine, the legendary French gangster of the 1960s and 1970s who came to be known as French Public Enemy No. 1. Infamous for his sadism, bravado and daring prison escapes, Mesrine carried out numerous robberies, kidnappings and murders in a criminal career that spanned continents until he was shot dead by France’s notorious anti-gang unit at the Porte de Clignancourt in 1979. Both a thriller and a biopic, Public Enemy No. 1 explores the man behind the icon. Also starring Cécile de France, Gérard Depardieu and Roy Dupuis, Public Enemy No. 1 is produced by LaPetite Reine and Remstar Productions and is distributed in Canada by Alliance Films.
Burn After Reading (Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, USA)
North American Premiere
A stellar cast including George Clooney, Frances McDormand, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins and Brad Pitt stars in Burn After Reading, from writer/directors Joel and Ethan Coen. Worlds collide when a computer disc containing material for a CIA analyst’s memoirs accidentally falls into the hands of a fitness centre duo eager to exploit their find. Events spiral out of everyone’s and anyone’s control in a cascading series of darkly hilarious encounters. Burn After Reading is distributed in the U.S. by Focus Features and in Canada by Alliance Films.
La Fille de Monaco (Anntaine, France)
North American Premiere
Director Anne Fontaine (Nouvelle Chance, TIFF 2006 and Entre ses mains, TIFF 2005) returns with La Fille de Monaco starring Fabrice Luchini, Louise Bourgoin and Rochdy Zem. A brilliant but neurotic attorney goes to Monaco to defend a famous criminal but instead of focusing on the case, he finds himself falling for a beautiful she-devil, who turns him into a complete wreck. Hopefully, his zealous bodyguard will step in and put everything back in order… or will he? La Fille de Monaco is distributed in Canada by Entertainment One.
Singh Is Kinng (Anees Bazmee, India)
In the Special Mumbai Matinee, Akshay Kumar stars opposite Katrina Kaif and Om Puri in this romantic action-comedy from writer/director Anees Bazmee. Happy Singh (Kumar) is well-intentioned but accident-prone – bringing constant disaster upon his small village in Pubjab. Fed up, the village decides to send him on a journey that will take him out of the country for an extended period of time – to retrieve another former villager, Lucky Singh (Sonu Sood), whose deeds and designation as “King” of the Australian underworld have been maligning the village’s reputation. What starts out as a seemingly simple assignment becomes a heroic quest in which Happy will Travel great distances, battle fierce enemies and finally meet destiny. Singh Is Kinng is distributed in North America (and worldwide) by Studio 18 USA Inc.
Dean Spanley (Toa Fraser, United Kingdom/New Zealand)
World Premiere
Living in Edwardian England where upper lips are always stiff and men from the Colonies are not to be trusted, Fisk Senior (Peter O’Toole) has little time or affection for his son (Jeremy Northam). But when the pair visit an eccentric swami, they embark on a strange journey that eventually allows the old man to find his heart. Based on Lord Dunsany’s novel My Talks with Dean Spanley, the film also stars Sam Neill and Bryan Brown. Dean Spanley is distributed in Canada by Alliance Films.
The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (Jodie Markell, USA)
World Premiere
In this rediscovered original screenplay by Tennessee Williams, young and rebellious socialite Fisher Willow (Bryce Dallas Howard), already tainted by family scandal, defies social convention and falls in love with farm hand Jimmy Dobyne (Chris Evans). The relationship is jeopardized when the loss of a priceless diamond sets off a series of accusations and betrayals that threaten to shatter their hopes for the future. Also starring Ellen Burstyn, Mamie Gummer, Ann-Margret and Will Patton, The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond is produced by Brad Michael Gilbert/Constellation Entertainment.
The Lucky Ones (Neil Burger, USA)
World Premiere
Rachel McAdams, Tim Robbins and Michael Peña star as returning U.S. soldiers who find themselves on an epic road trip across America. Their unplanned journey is hilarious and heartbreaking as they discover home is not quite what they remembered and the unlikely companionship they’ve found in one another might be what matters most of all. The Lucky Ones is directed by Neil Burger (The Illusionist) and is distributed in the U.S. by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions and in Canada by Maple Pictures.
Nothing But the Truth (Rod Lurie, USA)
World Premiere
Inspired by today’s politically charged climate, Nothing But the Truth stars Kate Beckinsale as a Washington DC reporter who writes an explosive story about a government scandal in which she reveals the name of a covert CIA agent (Vera Farmiga). When a special government prosecutor (Matt Dillon) demands she divulge her source, she refuses and finds herself behind bars, struggling to defend the principles upon which she has based. Nothing But the Truth also stars Alan Alda, David Schwimmer, Noah Wyle and Angela Bassett. Directed by Rod Lurie (The Contender, TIFF 2000), Nothing But the Truth is a Yari Film Group presentation.
Pride and Glory (Gavin O’Connor, USA)
World Premiere
Starring Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight, Noah Emmerich and Jennifer Ehle, Pride and Glory follows a multi-generational New York City police family whose moral code is tested when one of two sons on the force investigates an incendiary case involving his older brother and brother-in-law, ultimately forcing the family to choose between their loyalties to one another and their loyalties to the department. Pride and Glory will be distributed in the U.S. by Warner Bros. and in Canada by Alliance Films.
A Year Ago in Winter (Caroline Link, Germany)
World Premiere
From the director of Nowhere in Africa (TIFF 2002) comes the gripping story of a family in the aftermath of the unexpected death of its only son. Grieving mother Eliane (Corinna Harfouch) commissions a renowned artist, Max Hollander (Josef Bierbichler), to paint a portrait of the young man and his sister, Lilli (Karoline Herfurth). As part of his process, Max insists on meeting regularly with Lilli to glean an understanding of the relationship that existed between the siblings. What he happens upon instead are troubling family secrets that threaten his unfinished work. A Year Ago in Winter is distributed in Canada by Entertainment One.
Who Do You Love (Jerry Zaks, USA)
World Premiere
Alessandro Nivola stars as legendary record producer Leonard Chess inWho Do You Love. Founded by Leonard and his brother Phil, the label helped to introduce and popularize blues music during the 1950s and 1960s, including that of the extraordinary Muddy Waters. As the music around them transformed, so too did their family lives - Who Do You Loveexplores the professional success and personal sacrifices of the men behind what would come to be known as America’s greatest blues label.Who Do You Love is presented by Alexander/Mitchell Productions.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Empty Nest (Daniel Burman, Argentina/Spain/France/Italy)
International Premiere
Superbly imaginative and entertaining, Empty Nest offers a heartfelt look at the marital tensions between Martha (Cecilia Roth) and Leonardo (Oscar Martinez) as they struggle to maintain a fresh and exciting marriage after their youngest child marries and leaves Buenos Aires. Daniel Burman’s sixth feature is laugh-out-loud funny even while nostalgic moments bring tears to the eye.
New York, I Love You, USA
Work-in-Progress
Short films from twelve international filmmakers, including Allen Hughes, Shekhar Kapur, Joshua Marston, Mira Nair, Brett Ratner, Fatih Akin, Scarlett Johansson, Ivan Attal, Natalie Portman, Shunji Iwai, Jiang Wen, and Andrei Zvyagintsev are woven together in New York, I Love You, an homage to The Big Apple. Revolving around the theme of encountering love within the different boroughs of New York City, New York, I Love Youfeatures performances from Orlando Bloom, Shia LaBeouf, Natalie Portman, Christina Ricci, Julie Christie, Robin Wright Penn, Hayden Christensen, Rachel Bilson, Andy Garcia, Ethan Hawke, Maggie Q, Chris Cooper, Olivia Thirlby, Kevin Bacon, James Caan, Bradley Cooper, Drea de Matteo, John Hurt, Cloris Leachman, Carla Gugina, Goran Visnjic, Ugor Yucel, Carlos Acosta, Eva Amurri, Anton Yelchin, Justin Bartha, Irrfan Khan, Jacinda Barrett, and Taylor Geare.
