Toronto likes to think of itself as the centre of the universe; a concept at which most times we in the hinterlands tend to snicker about behind their backs. But, this week, well they may have a point to make in the city that loves itself.
The Toronto International Film Festival gets underway on Thursday, and the movers, the shakers, the stars and the wanna bees all will be wandering the city, taking in the parties, film showings and press conferences. It’s everything that Toronto wants to be and more.
From September 7 to the 16th, Toronto is the players place for the movie biz. Described by USA Today as the path to Oscar, the Toronto Festival has quickly become one of the major film festivals in the world, with premiere presentations, quirky documentaries and big budget extravaganzas.
From the Dixie Chicks to emerging Canadian talent, from horror shorts to political documentaries, there seems to be something from every genre of film.
This year, it’s a controversial presentation from England that has become the talk of the festival even before, the first film has been shown.
Death of a President (or D.O.A.P as it appeared in early blurbs) has received a fair amount of attention, not all of it in the positive vein. A 93 minute film that is scheduled to be shown in England on regular television, it features the assassination of George Bush as its major plot line. The fact that the sitting President of the United States has been marked for cinematic assassination has made it the most talked about feature at the festival. A digitally reproduced image of George Bush was put on an actor’s body, a movie special effect that is proving to be the most controversial aspect of the film.
Such is the tension about the film that the Film Festival itself felt the need to put out its own press release, explaining their decision to make the film a premiere event and reminding readers that the festival is all about free expression.
The Film Festival has a great website which has many layers to explore, from information on each of the films being presented, to blogs from participants and hangers on, it’s full of much to keep movie fanatics busy clicking for hours at a time.
If there are any late breaking stories from Hollywood North’s main attraction, we’ll provide them below.
A round of applause for the festival rejects
Talk movies with their makers
Films that are getting big Buzz
A passion for rights
Bloggers descend on TO to cover film fest
From Toronto: Let the festival begin
Aussies to light up Toronto
Oh Canada! Toronto fest looks north to launch 31st fest
Hollywood Reporter: Toronto Film Festival
CBC Festival Podcast
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