The next six and a half days at the Toronto International Film Festival is likely to draw a lot of eyeballs as a lot of movies are supposed to be screened. Public screening is the major attraction to the festival, simply to promote and showcase hidden talents. NPR’s Bob Mondello is looking at the Press & Industry schedule.
‘Closed Curtain’ from Iranian director Ja far Panahi is supposed to be screened in the festival and is drawing a lot of attention from a lot of art directors. He made a film titled ‘This is not a Film’, and it drew rave reviews from the critics. Other movie likes ‘Only Lovers Left Alive and Blood Ties’ are also expected to be critically acclaimed. With established stars like Mila Kunis, Tom Hiddleston and Clive Owen, there is no shortage in the star and glamour quotient for the festival ‘The Fifth Estate’, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Julian Assange is another movie which brings huge expectations along with it. Having had a brilliant year, Cumberbatch is on a high at this festival. Cumberbatch seems to be seen everywhere. In Steve McQueen’s “12 years: A slave” and the much waited “August: Osage County”. Acting with Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, Cumberbatch would be on a high and would have learnt a lot after having acted alongside them. The other big name, who is yet to make a mark in the film industry after playing Harry Potter, is Daniel Radcliffe. He is starring in ‘Horns’, adapted from Joe Hill’s book about a guy with, well… horns.
George Clooney and Sandra Bullock are starring in the movie named. ‘Gravity’. A high percentage of the films are directed by women and involve people from different parts of the world. With almost 5 or 6 screenings per day, people begin to value their time and choose to view only certain movies. Their choice could be influenced by the cast, the story or the directors. Starting next Wednesday, the film festival is expected to set the world ablaze.