TIFF highlights for Sept. 7
- Welcome to Day 4 of the Toronto International Film Festival. The festival’s first few days have already generated plenty of buzz, including accolades for the latest Knives Out mystery: “This is my favourite place to be in the world,” director Rian Johnson said, recalling the similar TIFF first weekend premieres of his first two mysteries. Scarlett Johansson also applauded Toronto’s festival vibe ahead of her directorial debut of Eleanor the Great: “It feels like less of a runway and more like, kind of a conversation.”
- A weekend full of A-list world premieres continues today, with films from directors and stars such as Steven Soderbergh and Angelina Jolie.
- In an interview about the comedy documentary You Had to Be There, which debuted yesterday and focuses on the iconic Toronto production of Godspell that launched several comedy legends, actor Victor Garber said: “I was surrounded by the most talented people I had ever known. I still feel that way.”
The TIFF film premieres happening today
Hamnet
Jessie Buckley stars as Agnes, and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare in director Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet.Agata Grzybowska/TIFF
The 2020 novel by Maggie O’Farrell and now, the film Hamnet by Chloé Zhao, focus on William Shakespeare’s wife, known as Agnes, and the loss of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet. Alongside her stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, Zhao promises a story both psychological and emotional. Costume drama is very different territory from her Oscar-winning 2020 hit Nomadland, a bittersweet exploration of an American camper-van community. Yet, the talent she showed for observing the social constrictions of a unique situation bodes well for this period piece, which makes its Canadian premiere at TIFF (Sept. 7, 1:30 p.m., Roy Thomson Hall).
Hamnet screens at TIFF on Sept. 7, 8, 11 and 13.
Nuremberg
A scene from Nuremberg.TIFF/Supplied
In Nuremberg, directed by James Vanderbilt and set during the postwar Nuremberg Trials, Rami Malek plays a U.S. army psychiatrist who interviews the Nazi leader Hermann Göring, portrayed by Russell Crowe. This film’s Göring is eerily charismatic while under interrogation, suggesting an Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster dynamic, à la The Silence of the Lambs. The drama is making its world premiere at TIFF (Sept. 7, 5:30 p.m., Roy Thomson Hall).
Nuremberg screens at TIFF on Sept. 7, 8 and 14.
Eternity
A still from director David Freyne’s Eternity, making its world premiere at TIFF 50, starring (from left) Elizabeth Olsen, Miles Teller and Callum Turner.Leah Gallo/Supplied
A fantasy dramedy from director David Freyne, making its world premiere at TIFF, Eternity asks a seemingly impossible question to answer: Out of everyone you have ever loved, who should be your partner in the afterlife? Elizabeth Olsen, Callum Turner and Miles Teller star as souls in transit who are tangled in a troubled love triangle (Sept. 7, 9:30 p.m., Roy Thomson Hall).
Eternity screens at TIFF on Sept. 7, 8, 11 and 14.
Couture
A scene from director Alice Winocour’s film Couture, starring Angelina Jolie and Louis Garrel.carole bethuel/Supplied
Making its world premiere at TIFF, this Paris-set film from director Alice Winocour stars a French-speaking Angelina Jolie and Louis Garrel. It centres on a dismissive film director tasked with creating a video for a fashion event. Weaving together multiple storylines about clothing, health and culture, it brings together some of French cinema’s best actors and rising stars (Sept. 7, 3:15 p.m., VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre).
Couture screens at TIFF on Sept. 7, 8, 12 and 13.
The Christophers
Steven Soderbergh’s film The Christophers, starring Michaela Coel and Ian McKellen, will have its world premiere at TIFF 50.Supplied
A world premiere from festival fixture Steven Soderbergh, art comedy The Christophers promises stellar performances from Ian McKellen and I May Destroy You’s Michaela Coel – the former as a renowned painter, and the latter as an art restoration specialist hired to forge his works. The comedy also stars Jessica Gunning and James Corden (Sept. 7, 6:30 p.m., VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre).
The Christophers screens at TIFF on Sept. 7, 8, 12 and 13.
Midnight Madness: Normal
Director Ben Wheatley’s Normal makes its world premiere at TIFF, starring Bob Odenkirk.Supplied
A Canadian-American co-production, Normal stars Bob Odenkirk as a sheriff unwittingly pitted against the small-town residents he is meant to protect. Director Ben Wheatley and John Wick creator Derek Kolstad are behind the film, which makes its world premiere at TIFF, with Lena Headey and Henry Winkler also taking star turns (Sept. 7, 11:59 p.m., Royal Alexandra Theatre).
Normal screens at TIFF on Sept. 7, 10 and 14.
Star watch
Angelina Jolie attends the premiere of Without Blood during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Lightbox on Sept. 8, 2024.Robin Marchant/Getty Images
- Angelina Jolie is expected to walk the red carpet for the world premiere of Couture, her French-speaking turn in a Paris-set film, at 3:15 p.m.
- Paul Mescal will likely be celebrating the Canadian premiere of his film Hamnet this afternoon.
- You also might see some of the recipients of the TIFF Tribute Awards, who are being honoured tonight, around town, such as Jodie Foster, Idris Elba, Channing Tatum and Catherine O’Hara.
The big parties and other events
People walk along King Street as TIFF returns for its 50th edition.Carlos Osorio/Reuters
- The TIFF Tribute Awards Gala takes place tonight at the Fairmont Royal York hotel, with Oscar-winning actor and previous Tribute honouree Brendan Fraser serving as honorary chair.
- Vanity Fair is also hosting a party at d|bar in the Four Seasons Hotel.
- TIFF’s Festival Street returns for its 10th year, transforming a section of King Street West into a pedestrian-only zone from Sept. 4 to 7. The celebrations will extend into David Pecaut Square from Sept. 4 to 13 for open-air movie screenings and other activities. On Sept. 7, Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette will play at Cinema Park in the square.
- The Rogers TIFF 50 Timescape event and installation runs until Sept. 7 in Yorkville.
How to get TIFF tickets, and other common questions
People wait in a rush line for tickets on King Street as the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) returns for its 50th edition.Carlos Osorio/Reuters
How do you buy TIFF tickets?
You can buy curated ticket packages, member bundles or individual tickets to film screenings. Tickets went on sale to the general public Aug. 25, but you are still able to purchase individual tickets to screenings throughout the festival. Prices for regular screenings start at $29 and prices for premium screenings start at $43. Browse films and purchase tickets on the TIFF website.
Where can I see this year’s festival schedule?
The TIFF schedule is available on the festival’s website and can be sorted by venue, type of screening and date.
What are “rush” tickets, and how do they work?
Festival-goers who are unable to secure a ticket online are able to wait in rush lines for screenings. About 15 minutes prior to a screening’s start time, staff will count the amount of empty seats in the cinema and sell rush tickets to those in line on a first-come, first-served basis. The TIFF website recommends arriving no earlier than 60 minutes before the screening to wait in the rush line.
TIFF25: Essential reads
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Scarlett the great: At TIFF, Johansson leaves Marvel behind for a deeply Jewish story of forgiveness
With reports from The Canadian Press.
