The 25th Toronto International Film Festival has announced that it will present a staggering 329 films this year, including 178 world and North American premieres. The Festival, which begins on September 7th and will conclude on the 16th, has long been regarded as one of the pre-eminent festivals, and it attracts major talents from all areas of film.
The hallowed Closing Night spotlight belongs to Michael Kalesniko’s darkly funny [ “How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog” ] which features Kenneth Branagh (in one of an increasing number of non-Shakespearean roles) as a struggling Los Angeles playwright who has to deal with a wife (Robin Wright-Penn) who’s ready for a family, a pestering mother-in-law (Lynn Redgrave), and an annoying neighborly dog. The film will hold its World Premiere at the Festival.
The Festival will also feature [ “Sexy Beast” ] , a debut film about a wicked gender-bending heist. The film stars Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone as the crooked Don and Gal, and marks the first directorial effort of Jonathan Glazer.
Other highlights in Toronto’s program include the Contemporary World Cinema showcase, which will feature 96 films, and a special “Beckett on Film” series that includes cinematic takes on the Irish playwright’s works from directors Atom Egoyan and Conor McPherson, among others.
The entire Toronto schedule and all related information can be found at the [ official website. ]
