Night Moves

Once upon a time, the Labour Day Weekend was a stretch of days where I’d hang out til the wee hours with my friends, perhaps go camping, or even – many moons ago – work at a local county fair. For the last several years though, this last long weekend of the summer has been about getting as much rest as I can squeeze into three days.

Just three days from today, The Toronto International Film Festival begins, and once it does, rest will be at a premium.

While I managed one little boo-boo with my scheduling, it involves a title that I can still pick up. So for the curious, here’s what I’ll be seeing…
THE PAST… The new offering from Asghar Farhadi, director of A SEPARATION.

A STORY OF CHILDREN AND FILM… Mark Cousins’ compendium to his epic documentary.

Jason Reitman’s Live Read of BOOGIE NIGHTS… After last year’s experience with AMERICAN BEAUTY, I couldn’t be more pumped.

12 YEARS A SLAVE… The latest McQueen/Fassbender team-up

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON… From the director of I WISH, a film a lot of people I know adored at TIFF two festivals back.

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB… Jean-Marc Vallee, the director of CAFE DE FLORE, works with Matthew McConaughey to tell a story about AIDS in the 80’s.

In Conversation with Spike Jonze… A Q&A between the visionary director, moderated by fellow visionary, Kelly Reighardt.

THE WONDERS… An Israeli film described as “Lewis Carroll meets Carol Reed”

NIGHT MOVES… Speaking of Reichardt, here’s her follow-up to MEEK’S CUTOFF starring Jesse Eisenberg and Dakota Fanning.

THE DOUBLE… The new film from the brains behind SUBMARINE, who by the by is the gent who plays Moss on The IT Crowd.

THE UNKNOWN KNOWN… Documentarian extraordinaire Errol Morris sits down with former American Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld

THOU GILD’ST THE EVEN… Turkish. Sounded cool.

WE ARE THE BEST!… On Jessica’s recommendation, a film about teenage punks.

THE GREAT BEAUTY… The team behind IL DIVO return.

GRAVITY… Just one week ago, people were asking me “why”? Now people are clamoring for tickets.

THE STAG… An Irish stag party goes awry

THE WIND RISES… The newest (and final, it would seem) piece of anime from Miyazaki

R100… One of two Midnight Madness selections, where an ordinary gentleman finds himself being pursued by a gang of dominatrixes.

THE AMAZING CATFISH… The screw up. I don’t have tickets in hand for this Mexican offering yet, but by tomorrow night, all will be well.

MOEBIUS… It’s Korean, so I’m bracing myself for batshit insanity.

THE SACRAMENT… The latest from Ti West, director of HOUSE OF THE DEVIL and THE INNKEEPERS.

CAN A SONG SAVE YOUR LIFE… My number one draft choice: a new musical from the director of ONCE. We’ll see if lightning can strike twice.

LABOR DAY… The latest from Jason Reitman

WITCHING & BITCHING… The latest from the director of THE LAST CIRCUS, which promises to be insane.

ATTILA MARCEL… The latest from Sylvain Chomet, director of L’ILLUSIONISTE

 

A few more might be added, but that’s the starting block. My TIFFR schedule outlining where I’ll be when is listed here, so if you happen to be at any of these, drop by and say hey. In the meantime, I’m gonna get comfy on the couch and soak up one last moment of having nothing to do before the work week resumes.

Three more shifts of 9-to-5, and then the glorious insanity begins.

13 Replies to “Ready to Run: My TIFF 2013 Schedule”

  1. Who would’ve guessed that The Wind Rises would be Miyazaki’s last feature there?

    Love to get your thoughts on the live readings, they sound great, it’s a shame they don’t record them.

    1. I’ve always thought that it was a shame too, especially since I’d *love* to hear readings like MANHATTAN, or GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS. Puts more of an onus on attending these real one-off events in the face of films that will play again later.

      Look for coverage Saturday morning.

    1. It can be quite difficult to stay up that late, especially if you are seeing lots of films during the day.

      I decided to see six midnight screenings this year, because it’s Midnight Madness’ 25 anniversary, however time will tell if I regret that decision.

    2. The midnight selections didn’t really blow my hair back this year. The screenings themselves are a blast, but that only goes so far for me.

      I might regret one or two of the eight I’m skipping, but I’ll catch up with ’em later.

  3. It looks like we will be in three of the same screenings starting with 12 Years a Slave (Dionne will be at that one as well).

    Are you going to the gathering on Wednesday? If so, what time are you aiming for?

    1. Still not sure about Wednesday, but if I do, I’ll be going after suppertime.

      I’ll never get over knowing so many people at the screenings I pick. It stands in stark contrast to how this whole experience began for me twelve years ago!

  4. “Boogie Nights”?! The live read is “Boogie Nights”?! My God. That’ll be epic. So many speaking roles.

    Also, this may be the most elegantly simple pitch I’ve ever heard: “An Irish stag party goes awry.” I wouldn’t need to hear one word more. How can you not want to see that?

    1. Funny thing: When word came down that BOOGIE NIGHTS was the script chosen, lots of people tuned out. Weird, eh? So far the only cast member announced is Marc-André Grondin (Goon, C.R.A.Z.Y) as Scotty.

    2. Wait, people tuned OUT when they heard it was Boogie Nights? Really? That made me regret not going (I get the excitement that you and others have shown for the live readings, but nothing has yet grabbed me – until this one).

      Very interesting casting of Marc-Andre Grondin. Curious to see who else he brings on board. Not sure how he usually casts these – does he pull it together from people likely to be present at the festival or fly them in specifically for the event? I’m pretty sure there is little rehearsal, correct?

      1. Yep. Reitman usually calls around to see who’s interested. At TIFF he’s handcuffed by who happens to be in town. So if you’re playing guessing games, look at the guest lists. Speaking of said guest list, I can think of a few selections that would take would-be naysayers and make their heads spin (Hiddleston anyone?).

        Reitman claims no rehearsal, which comes through as you watch the actors get deeper into what they’re doing as the script goes on.

        Further cast announcements included Dane Cook, Jason Sudekis, and Olivia Wilde. No word yet on who will be Roller Girl, Jack Horner, or Dirk.

  5. We’ll be seeing 16 of the same films and sharing 9 screenings (including “Can A Song Save Your Life?” which I’ll be bringing both my wife and son to). I’m worried that we are slowly morphing and merging into one another…

    Otherwise, I’m fully psyched.

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