The city’s film festival always boasts formidable options, and this year is no exception
Every September, the brightest stars in film descend upon Toronto for the annual rendition of the city’s famous film festival. While last year’s iteration was a more muted affair given the state of the pandemic, this year sees a welcome return to theatres, where folks like Christopher Nolan would argue that the offerings are meant to be seen.
The 2021 line-up is rife with what promise to be incredible films. With most of them available for at-home viewing, here are some films to watch out for at this year’s festival.
Bergman Island (Director: Mia Hansen-Løve)
Bergman Island is Mia Hansen-Løve’s English-language debut. The French director is no stranger to feature films, having starred in a number and penned some veritable modern classics (2014’s Eden immediately springs to mind). Tapping Vicky Krieps in one of her biggest roles since figuring prominently in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread (2017), the French director brings to life a tale of an American couple who come to the Swedish island of Fårö to write their respective screenplays in the same place that inspired Ingmar Bergman to churn out his fantastic oeuvre. The couple inevitably bicker, and the strength of their relationship is called into question.
All My Puny Sorrows (Director: Michael McGowan)
All My Puny Sorrows sees the same Canadian filmmaker responsible for penning and directing 2008’s soul-stirring One Week (watch Joshua Jackson search for meaning!) turn to Miriam Toews’ 2014 novel of the same name for inspiration. The conflict lies between two sisters in the Von Riesen family, with Yoli (a writer played by Alison Pill) and Elf (a concert pianist played by Sarah Gadon) constantly at odds over how to confront trauma. An important lesson in how to work through tragedy despite familial differences, the film will entertain fans of the novel and those unfamiliar with it alike.
Murina (Director: Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović)
Set on the sunny Adriatic, Murina is Croatian-born Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović’s debut feature. Kusijanović was born in Dubrovnik and is now based in New York City, but her debut sees her return to her roots with a moody film set on a remote Croatian island. A coming of age film, Murina sees its protagonist Julija (Gracija Filipovic) rebelling against her oppressive father in her search for identity. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese and aided by the work of Hélène Louvart (the cinematographer famed for her work with luminaries such as Agnès Varda, Claire Denis, and Wim Wenders) this debut from Kusijanović is sure to make waves that will propel her to a fascinating career in film!
The Worst Person in the World (Director: Joachim Trier)
In my humble opinion, Norwegian Joachim Trier is one of the best doing it at the moment. The former skater turned director burst onto the scene in 2006 with Reprise and has stayed in everyone’s minds since with stunning efforts like Oslo, August 31st (2011) and Thelma (2017). The Worst Person in the World sees him conclude his Oslo trilogy with a film centered upon a female protagonist struggling to wrestle with commitment in all aspects of her life. Julie (Renate Reinsve) is a woman who defies being defined and that defiance sees her engaging in all manner of self-destructive and disruptive acts, like breaking up with her long-term boyfriend or switching her college major at age thirty. Despite this lack of clarity about what she wants, viewers can all find something of themselves in Julie’s adamant claims to her independence and her torrid journey to discover herself.
Memoria (Director: Apichatpong Weerasethakul)
Memoria sees Apichatpong Weerasethakul depart his native Thailand for filming for the first time in his career in his English/Spanish-language debut. The effort, which stars Tilda Swinton as Jessica, was co-winner of the Jury Prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Jessica is a Scottish orchid farmer visiting her sister in Bogotá who finds her sleep disturbed by reverberating sounds. Her quest to uncover what that sound is leads her on a strange journey underscored by brilliantly haunting sound design.