TIFF ’22: What To See at This Year’s Fest, Round 1
By Jim Slotek, Thom Ernst, Karen Gordon, Kim Hughes, John Kirk, Liam Lacey and Bonnie Laufer
It’s here!
The 47th annual edition of the Toronto International Film Festival returns in full force to bricks-and-mortar cinemas and with a laundry list of celebrity attendees.
On now until September 18, the festival boasts hundreds of films across multiple programs such as Contemporary World Cinema, Discovery, TIFF Docs, Midnight Madness, Wavelengths, Shortcuts, Platform, Special Presentations and Gala Presentations.
Alongside marquee titles, movie-goers have the chance to experience small, independent, foreign films that may never screen again (at least, not on a big screen), transporting themselves to other worlds while gaining insight into new ideas and points of view. It really is a cool way to spend a day.
In addition to our TIFF preview piece — where we spotlight the titles we’re most keen to see — Original-Cin staff is endeavoring to see and preview as many titles as possible to help readers build a schedule and gain awareness of films they couldn’t access themselves.
In addition to daily capsule reviews, we also offer ephemera such as interviews. Check out our rollicking piece on Buffy Saint-Marie ahead of the documentary Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On and watch for a Q&A with filmmaker Tyler Perry ahead of his A Jazzman’s Blues.
One note: because of TIFF embargoes, our capsule reviews are tied to a film’s second public screening, not its first. But don’t be afraid to take a chance on something unknown. You just never know if a film is going to blow your mind. Even bad stuff can by fun.
Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On
Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On (TIFF DOCS)
Fri, Sept. 9, 5:30 pm, Scotiabank 1; Sat, Sept. 17, 12 pm, Scotiabank 2.
Filmmaker Madison Thomas and Buffy Sainte-Marie biographer Andrea Warner have a treasure trove of the ageless 81-year-old singer-songwriter’s archival material, covering her childhood, folkie years, discovery of her Indigenous heritage, anti-war activities, relationships and impactful songs (including “Universal Soldier,” “Until It’s Time for You to Go,” and the Oscar-winning “Up Where We Belong”). But it’s Sainte-Marie’s impish free spirit that shines through the memories, a refusal to take herself seriously while tackling serious issues. Sainte-Marie’s laidback life in Hawaii seems like heaven, and her charisma is the star of the show. JS
On The Come Up
On The Come Up (Special Presentations)
Fri, Sept. 9, 2 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 2; Thu, Sept 15, 2:45 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox; Sun, Sept. 18, 12:30 pm, TIFF Bell Lightbox 3.
Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Angie Thomas (The Hate You Give), On The Come Up takes us deep into the world of rap battles and what happens when intentions and lyrics are misconstrued. The film centers on Bri (Jamila C. Gray) who wants to carry on the legacy of her deceased hip-hop father by competing in rap battles and becoming the legend he never had the chance to be. The girl’s got serious talent, but a collaboration with a big promoter steers her raps into a place that causes serious damage to the community and the people who are closest to her. Newcomer Gray is a revelation, her rap skills mesmerizing to watch. In her first feature, director Sanaa Lathan captures real terror that these up-and-coming rappers face as well as how lyrics taken out of context can lead to violence and death. The film has us rooting for Bri and Lathan’s direction takes us deep into a culture unfamiliar to many of us. BL
