by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Max Färberböck
Country: Germany/Poland
World Premiere
Synopsis: Adapted from the international bestseller based on a true story, A Woman in Berlin is directed by Golden Globe nominee Max Färberböck (Aimée & Jaguar). In April 1945, the Red Army invades Berlin; among the chaos, a group of women fall victim to rape in a half-destroyed house. One of them is a former journalist and photographer. In desperation, she decides to find an officer who can protect her. A relationship develops with a Russian officer; soon, what began as an act of self-preservation becomes a complicated and forbidden affair.
IMDB Page
by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Country: USA
North American Premiere
Synopsis: Back in the late ’80s, Randy "The Ram" Robinson (Mickey Rourke) was a headlining professional wrestler. Now, twenty years later, he ekes out a living performing for handfuls of die-hard wrestling fans in high-school gyms and community centres. Randy lives for the thrill of the show and the adoration of his fans; but when he suffers a heart attack after a match, he is forced into retirement. He begins to evaluate the state of his life but the allure of the spotlight and the passion for his sport threatens to pull him back inside the ring. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (The Fountain, TIFF 2006), The Wrestler also stars Evan Rachel Wood, Marisa Tomei, Judah Friedlander and the Necro Butcher.
IMDB Page
by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Matt Tyrnauer
Country: USA
North American Premiere
Synopsis: Filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer (Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine) gains unprecedented access to the renowned fashion designer and his entourage, offering an intimate, engaging, and very funny fly-on-the-wall exploration of the singular world of one of Italy’s richest and most famous men. Telling the story of the famous designer’s extraordinary life, remarkable artistry and unique relationship with his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti, Valentino: The Last Emperor documents the colourful and dramatic closing act of Valentino’s celebrated career while exploring the larger themes affecting the fashion business today.
IMDB Page
by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Charlie Kaufman
Country: USA
North American Premiere
Synopsis: Worried about the transience of his life, theatre director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman) leaves his home behind and sets out to construct a massive artistic enterprise. Gathering an ensemble cast into a warehouse in New York City, he hopes to create a work of brutal honesty. He directs them in a celebration of the mundane, instructing each to live out their constructed lives in a growing mockup of the city outside. The years rapidly fold into each other, and Caden buries himself deeper into his masterpiece but the textured tangle of real and theatrical relationships blurs the line between the world of the play and that of Caden’s own deteriorating reality. Synecdoche also stars Jennifer Jason Leigh, Catherine Keener, Dianne Wiest, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Emily Watson and Hope Davis.
IMDB Page
External Reviews
by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda
Country: Japan
International Premiere
Synopsis: A son and daughter return to the family home where their parents have lived for decades, bringing their own young families along with them. They have gathered to commemorate the tragic death of the eldest son, who drowned in an accident fifteen years earlier. Although the roomy house is as comforting and unchanging as the mother’s homemade feast, everyone in the family has changed subtly. From the director of After Life (TIFF 1998) and Hana (TIFF 2006) comes the story of a dysfunctional family - full of resentments and secrets - which unfolds over the course of a single summer’s day.
IMDB Page
External Reviews
by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Danny Boyle
Country: United Kingdom
World Premiere
Synopsis: From acclaimed director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) comes a story about a kid with nothing, who has everything to lose. Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, is just one question away from winning a staggering 20 million rupees on India’s Who Wants to be A Millionaire? Arrested on suspicion of cheating, he tells the police the amazing tale of his life on the streets, and of the girl he loved and lost. But what is a kid with no interest in money doing on the show? And how does he know all the answers?
IMDB Page
by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Martin Provost
Country: France/Belgium
International Premiere
Synopsis: Based on a true story, Séraphine delves into the relationship between naive painter Séraphine Louis (1864-1942) and art collector Wilhelm Uhde. In a little town north of Paris, Séraphine works as a maid for Madame Duphot, who rents an apartment to German art critic and dealer Wilhelm Uhde, an enthusiastic advocate of modern and primitive artists. In her spare time, Séraphine paints, with anything she can find - wine, mud, a mixture of fruits and flowers. When Wilhelm comes across one of her paintings, he is instantly mesmerized and insists that Séraphine show him the rest of her work. So begins a nurturing relationship that will expose Séraphine’s work to the world. But as Séraphine paints her most inspired canvas, the power of her work leads her into the realms of madness.
IMDB Page
by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Guy Ritchie
Country: United Kingdom
Synopsis: Coming Soon
IMDB Page
by
John Allison
August 23rd, 2008
Director: Larry Charles
Country: USA
Synopsis: Coming Soon
IMDB Page
