Pitching shows to film fans
The Toronto International Film Festival’s Primetime lineup features six international TV programs. Here is TIFF TV programmer Michael Lerman’s take on why these shows are significant.
The Returned (Les Revenants)
Supernatural drama created by Fabrice Gobert, France
“It is one of the most brilliantly atmospheric and thought-provoking shows. It’s also absolutely theatrical. I wish I could have seen it in a theatre originally. It’s like the lost season of Twin Peaks.”
The first and second episodes of Season 2 will get their international premiere at TIFF.
Heroes Reborn
Sci-fi series created by Tim Kring, USA
“It’s a brilliant piece of TV history. And a great time to bring the show back. It’s positioning it in the modern age in a smart way.”
Episodes 1 and 2 get their world premiere at TIFF.
CROMO
Thriller created by Lucia Puenzo and Nicolas Puenzo, Argentina
“It’s a timely thriller. Very exciting to see something that works like this; you’re on the edge of your seat and it says so much about the environment.”
Episodes 1, 2 and 8 get their world premiere at TIFF.
Casual
Comedy created by Zander Lehmann and directed by Jason Reitman, USA
“I think it’s hilarious and has a lot to say about love and sex in an age of detachment and technology.”
Episodes 1 and 2 get their world premiere at TIFF.
Keith Richards: Under the Influence
Documentary directed by Morgan Neville, USA
“A really great portrait of Keith Richards and smartly made.”
It gets its world premiere at TIFF and debuts on Netflix Sept. 18.
Trapped
Thriller created by Baltasar Kormakur, Iceland
“Incredibly exciting and all the power of a big-screen thriller.”
Episode 1 gets its world premiere at TIFF.