The ongoing 2023 Toronto Film Festival (TIFF) hosted the world premieres for Director Thomas Napper's "Widow Clicquot," featuring Haley Bennett in the lead role as Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin. The film is inspired by the real-life story of the 'Grande Dame of Champagne,' who became Madame Clicquot at just 20 years old after marrying a member of a winemaking family. This 10-day festival started on September 7th and is set to continue until September 17th.
The festival has already showcased some notable premieres this year, including the opening film "The Boy and the Heron" by Hayao Miyazaki, marking his final work, produced by Studio Ghibli. Other standout premieres from this year's lineup include "The Dead Don't Die," directed by Viggo Mortensen and featuring Vicky Krieps; "Dream Scenario" by Director Kristoffer Borgli, starring Nicolas Cage; "Lee," directed by Ellen Kuras and starring Kate Winslet; "Daddio," with Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn; "In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon;" "Close to You," directed by Dominic Savage and featuring Elliot Page; and restoration of Jonathan Demme's classic concert film for The Talking Heads, "Stop Making Sense."
Below, you can find a selection of the festival's must-see films :
The Boy & The Heron -
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Soma Santuki, Masaki Suda, Takuya Kimura
The film 'The Boy and the Heron' explores intricate themes, which are presented with stunning visual brilliance. Although it may not stand as Studio Ghibli's most powerful work, it remains a significant one. Miyazaki's comeback after a ten-year break serves as a testament to the distinctive creative vision and artistic excellence he contributes to the realm of animation
The Burial -
Director: Maggie Betts
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Jamie Foxx, Jurnee Smollett, Mamoudou Athie, Pamela Reed, Bill Camp, Alan Ruck, Amanda Warren
Maggie Betts and her co-writer, Doug Wright, skillfully strike a balance in their storytelling, shifting between moments of humor and a poignant David vs. Goliath narrative set in the Deep South. Their story resonates with themes of faith, our shared bonds, and a commitment to moral righteousness, regardless of the potential risks involved.
Fingernails-
Director: Christos Nikou
Cast: Jessie Buckley, Riz Ahmed, Jeremy Allen White, Annie Murphy, Luke Wilson
The director clearly possesses evident talents that we've previously observed, and these talents briefly emerge even in this misjudgment. Nevertheless, it remains puzzling why he opted for this unappealing subject matter for his first American endeavor, particularly with its disturbing conclusion.
His Three Daughters-
Director: Azazel Jacobs
Cast: Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, Natasha Lyonne, Jay O. Sanders, Jovan Adepo
What adds value to this film, even though it may not be as captivating as Azazel Jacobs' other works, is the exceptional acting by three talented performers who fully immerse themselves in dialogue-rich roles, each creating a unique and easily identifiable character.
American Fiction-
Director: Cord Jefferson
Cast: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams, Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
The central message conveyed by American Fiction is the significance of personal empowerment within a society that frequently attempts to shape the narratives of individuals. While the media's limited perspective on Black lives may persist, individuals possess the ability to establish their own stories and limits."
