by Shannonn Kelly
03:48AM, EST, September 14, 2011
After starting Monday morning with the horrendous Rampart, I was worried that I had made a mistake. That all films I was seeing on Day 6 of TIFF 2011 were directed by Oren Moverman.
I’m happy to report that today at the 36th Annual Toronto International Film Festival, was a great day of films … and a path of redemption for Matthew McConaughey for his role in “Killer Joe”.
My day started with the biopic The Lady, by French born director Luc Besson, starring Michelle Yeoh and David Thewlis. The Lady is the inspiring true story of Burmese pro-democracy activist, leader and political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi. Besson brought passion and tenderness to the story and focused great care on the strong bond of husband and wife and their love and support for one another. Truly touching and beautifully filmed.
Regardless of some of the embarrassing audience questions, Besson held a sensitive Q&A after the screening. My review to follow.
I took a snack break and discovered a new Green “lime” tea at Bannock on Queen and took a window seat and people watched for about 1/2 hour before going to see “Killer Joe“, directed by the fabulous and approachable William Friedkin. My review to follow. I just want to say, I’m glad I don’t eat chicken…
And, as far as I’m concerned, the French hit the trifecta these last 3 nights at the rambuctious Midnight Madness. Two French horror films “Livide” and “The Incident” and this evening’s action-packed, cleverly devised Nuit Blanche (Sleepless Night). Ouah trop génial !. Astounding stunt work — with NO stunt doubles. My review to follow.
My films for TIFF 2011 Day 7 are:
The Story of Film (Episodes 7-9), which is where I’ll be starting my 15 hour voyage into the history of film painstakingly documented by Scotsman Mark Cousins. He adapts his celebrated book to screen and traces the entire history of film from the silent era to the digital age focusing on artistic vision of the filmmakers.
Americano directed by and starring Mathieu Demy, son of French New Wave filmmaker Jacques Demy. Americano tells the story of a young Frenchman who after his mother’s death revisits his childhood in Los Angeles as he prepares to wrap up her estate and discovers that his mother was very fond of a woman who appears in her will. I really like the intimate feeling of the cast: Mathieu Demy, Salma Hayek, Geraldine Chaplin, Chiara Mastroianni and Carlos Bardem brother of Javier.