We are live on the ground at the Toronto International Film Festival, filling our days with cinema from around the world! Premieres and Gala events and red carpets fill the streets of downtown, the hustle and bustle of cinephiles has never been more alive! With so many films to see, we are spending as much time as we can in the theater to bring you coverage from as many as we can see in a single day! So let’s take a look at some of the films we’ve seen so far!
“By The Stream“
Hong Sang Soo is a special kind of filmmaker, one that requires immense patience as he lets his stories unfold through the most naturalistic conversations ever written. “By The Stream” is another entry into his prolific filmography, and carries with it all of the staples of the filmmaker’s work. Often times in a Soo film, the plot is secondary to us being a voyeur to conversations, be it over dinner or drinks or just standing around talking. “By The Stream” is actually the most linear and plot driven film of his so far, but still doesn’t lose the organic conversations he is known for. There’s no real point in giving a synopsis for this film, as its primary function is to open up a doorway into the lives and conversations of its characters. Kim Min-hee dazzles in a measured but charming lead performance, and she is a driving force of the emotional weight of “By The Stream.” Admittedly, you have to be dialed into Soo’s style to appreciate his work, and I wasn’t quite as tapped into his wavelength as I wanted to be. “By The Stream” is a film I appreciate more than I enjoyed, and can recognize its unique vision and terrific performances even if I wasn’t fully won over by its specificity of execution.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
“Do I Know You From Somewhere?“
A solid, reality bending journey into what could have been, “Do I Know You From Somewhere?” is a somewhat restricted film bursting with ideas. Those ideas are unique and intriguing even if the execution is limited by its smallness. It’s a bold feature film debut from Arianna Martinez, delivering a film that is better experienced than described. Reality blurs and lives collide and unravel as this story of a couple find their lives slipping away without any reason as to why or how. “Do I Know You From Somewhere?” thrives on its concepts, and has all the promise of a strong showing were it under the guidance of a more experienced filmmaker and a larger budget. That’s not to say anything disparaging about Martinez’ efforts; she makes the most of what she has and is most certainly a filmmaker to watch. Just that, “Do I Know You From Somewhere?” feels just on the cusp of greatness, a film that could stick with you indefinitely and prompt you to tell all your friends to check this one out. It’s not quite there, but it is good enough to be a recommendation from myself.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
“Paying For It“
One of the great things about festivals is how blindly you stumble into films. Many of the smaller releases don’t have trailers or clips or even a full synopsis, so you’re heading into a cinematic experience with very little information. “Paying For It” is a film you really can’t prepare for, and Sook-Yin Lee’s film adaption of Chester Brown’s graphic novel of the same name leaves its mark for better or worse depending on what you bring into the film. “Paying For It” is as much about sex as it is about relationships, and doesn’t shy away from either as it explores wildly unique perspectives about both that many otherwise would never even consider. It is an absurdly funny comedy about sex in the most honest of ways, unafraid to challenge sex work stereotypes and explore transactional sex through an unseen lens. Often off-putting in its unfettered display of sex without sexualization, “Paying For It” may not be for everyone but is sure to find its weirdos, outliers, scorned lovers and pragmatists who tune into to the film’s overall quirkiness. “Paying For It” really does it all for the nookie, and in the end finds love in the most unlikely of places. I don’t know that I would consider myself completely sold, but I certainly enjoyed it more than I thought, and if you can handle its affronting approach to sex, this may be for you too.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
“Seeds“
They can’t all be bangers. Written, directed and starring Kaniehtiio Horn, “Seeds” is a messy, tonally jumbled misfire on just about every level of filmmaking. Horn isn’t new to the screen, but there are certainly signs that she took on far too much here. Each facet of filmmaking suffers from being under her inexperience; the writing is baffling and campy (and not always intentionally) leading to character motivations being thin at best, the performances even from her are flat and sometimes downright amateur, and the direction feels aimless and visually stunted. Whatever the synopsis of “Seeds” says it is, I can assure you that none of it comes to fruition in the way it is described. And on paper, this is a film that should work, be it as a comedy thriller or simply a straight thriller with a twisted ending. Instead, it is neither funny nor thrilling, and struggles to say anything for itself as a film. If “Seeds” primary message is ‘corporations are bad,’ then maybe it’s time to go back to the drawing board and come up with something a bit deeper. And maybe we take a step back and get some experience before we try to helm every aspect on the next project. Because “Seeds” more than gets away from Horn, and unfortunately left a bad taste in my mouth.
Rating: 1.5 out of 5 Stars
“The Witness“
Ok, “The Witness” is technically a Venice Film Festival premiere, but I needed a place to include it in my coverage this just happens to be the closest to the release date as I can get. A powerful look at the lives of women in Iran at a time of revolution and revolt for rights, “The Witness” is a quiet thriller with a purpose and one that will leave an unforgettable mark on your mind afterwards. The film follows retired dance teacher Tarlan in Iran, who witnesses a murder by an important government figure. When the police refuse to investigate the crime, Tarlan must decide whether to bow to political pressure or risk her reputation and livelihood in pursuit of justice. “The Witness” is a fascinating and bold look at Iranian life, and ruminates on the policies and advocacies for rights in a country set on removing them entirely from those who want their voices heard. It is in constant conflict of trying to do what is right vs trying to survive, and “The Witness” strikes a compelling balance between the two. This one is sure to spark conversation and hopefully engage more voices in the fight for justice.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Many more films to come, so be sure to check back for more live coverage!
