FIRST LOOK AT OSCARWORTHY FILMS OF FALL
From Lady Gaga to ‘First Man’ and more from Mexican filmmakers, this year’s fest has a lot to offer fans.
The Toronto International Film Festival, which has long introduced the top Oscar contenders to North American audiences, kicks off Sept. 6 and features one of the most interesting, buzzy matchups of recent years: Damien Chazelle’s “First Man” and Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
Fresh from the Venice Film Festival, “First Man” will have a gala presentation in Toronto on Sept. 9, with Canada’s Ryan Gosling starring as Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, back in the summer of 1969. “First Man” will be eligible for the People’s Choice Award, which is voted on by the festival’s audience, just like Chazelle’s previous film, “La La Land.” In case you forgot, that unconventional musical went on to win that award in 2016 and was one of the leading Oscar contenders in 2017.
“If Beale Street Could Talk,” meanwhile, is also getting a special presentation in Toronto. Based on an adaptation of the James Baldwin novel, it stars KiKi Layne, Stephan James and Regina King in a drama about a pregnant woman’s quest to prove the innocence of her fiancé in a crime. It will also be eligible for the People’s Choice Award, unlike Jenkins’ 2016 film, “Moonlight,” which also played in Toronto but got much less buzz. And just in case you forgot, “Moonlight” became the biggest rival of “La La Land” in the 2017 Oscar race, eventually winning three awards, including best picture.
The Chazelle/Jenkins competition is just one of many big storylines coming up in Toronto. Here are 10 of the most interesting films/trends, based on buzz and artistic interest.
1.“A Star Is Born.” Some are saying this looks great, with Bradley Cooper directing and starring as an alcoholic musician who helps a younger singer, played by Lady Gaga, on her rise to the top. It’s intriguing because Cooper is showing his singing chops. But let’s face it: Everyone who’s FROM CANADA