The “Queen of Katwe” is Toronto-bound. The Toronto International Film Festival has announced the first crop of titles for the 41st edition of the fest. A significant number of films selected as Galas and Special Presentations — TIFF’s most high-profile and prestigious slots — were revealed, including the World Premiere of Mira Nair’s hotly anticipated chess underdog film “Queen of Katwe.”
Of 19 Gala films, seven are women-directed — a very respectable 37 percent. But only eight of 49 Special Presentations are helmed by women: a mere 16 percent.
Galas include the World Premieres of Nair’s aforementioned “Queen of Katwe,” starring Lupita Nyong’o (“12 Years a Slave”), Amma Asante’s interracial romance “A United Kingdom,” Lone Scherfig’s period dramedy “Their Finest,” and Kelly Fremon Craig’s coming-of-age story “The Edge of Seventeen.” The latter will close the festival. The line-up for Special Presentations features two of Cannes’ biggest hits: Andrea Arnold’s “American Honey” and Maren Ade’s “Toni Erdmann.”
More titles will be announced in the coming weeks, so hopefully the ratio of women directors will improve.
“The global voices, transformative stories, and diverse perspectives of these films capture the cinematic climate of today,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF’s Artistic Director. “New films featuring cinema’s brightest talents promise to captivate and entertain the world’s film community and audiences alike.”
Fifty-seven women-directed features played at TIFF last year, or 20 percent of the fest’s lineup. The shorts program was 45 percent female-helmed. In 2015, Kerri Craddock, TIFF’s Director of Festival Programming, told Women and Hollywood, “Across the programming team, we always make a concerted effort to look for diverse voices in the program, including women. And not just in terms of women behind the camera, but also female-driven stories.” A notable female-driven film making its World Premiere at this year’s fest is “Denial,” a drama that sees Rachel Weisz playing a historian forced to prove that the Holocaust happened.
TIFF runs from September 8-18. The fest’s Industry Conference will include a program titled “Visionary Women.” Industry insiders will discuss gender equity — and the lack thereof — for women in the film business. Caroline Suh’s documentary “The 4%: Film’s Gender Problem” will be screened.
Check out the women-directed Galas and Special Screenings below. List adapted from TIFF.
Galas
“The Edge of Seventeen” (Kelly Fremon Craig, USA) — World Premiere.
The directorial debut of writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig follows high school junior Nadine, who is already at peak awkwardness when her all-star older brother Darian starts dating her best friend Krista. All at once, Nadine feels more alone than ever, until the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy gives her a glimmer of hope that things just might not be so terrible after all. Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner and Hayden Szeto.
“The Journey is the Destination” (Bronwen Hughes, United Kingdom/South Africa) — World Premiere.
The inspiring life story of late photojournalist, artist and activist Dan Eldon, who abandoned a comfortable life in London to document the struggle, heartbreak and hope of a war-torn and famine-ridden region of Africa. Inspiring and irreverent, the film follows a young man coming of age to realize his purpose, his place in the world, and his belief that we can all create positive change. Starring Ella Purnell, Maria Bello, Sam Hazeldine, Ben Schnetzer, and Kelly Macdonald.
“Planetarium” (Rebecca Zlotowski, France/Belgium) — North American Premiere.
Kate and Laura Barlow, two young American spiritualists in 1930s Paris, finish their world tour. Fascinated by their gift, a powerful French film producer hires them to shoot a highly ambitious film. In the vortex of cinema, experiments, and feelings, this new family doesn’t yet see what Europe will soon go through. Stars Natalie Portman, Lily-Rose Depp, Emmanuel Salinger, Amira Casar, Pierre Salvadori and Louis Garrel.
“Queen of Katwe” (Mira Nair, South Africa/Uganda) — World Premiere.
This vibrant true story follows a young girl from the streets of rural Uganda whose world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess. The support from her family and community instills her with confidence and determination, as she sets out to pursue her dream of becoming an international champion. Starring David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, and Madina Nalwanga.
“Strange Weather” (Katherine Dieckmann, USA) — World Premiere.
A lyrical, emotionally rich drama tracking Darcy as she travels the Deep South with her friend in an effort to process her grief over the loss of her son. A story about forgiveness, redemption, grace, and how to be fully alive when facing death. Starring Holly Hunter, Carrie Coon, and Kim Coates.
“Their Finest” (Lone Scherfig, United Kingdom) — World Premiere.
Danish filmmaker Lone Scherfig’s period comedy-drama follows a group of filmmakers struggling to make an inspirational film to boost morale — and inspire America to join the war — during the London Blitz in World War II. A witty, romantic and moving portrayal of a young woman finding her way, and her voice, in the mayhem of war…and movies. Starring Gemma Arterton, Sam Claflin, Bill Nighy, Jack Huston, Helen McCrory, Eddie Marsan, Jake Lacy, Rachel Stirling, and Richard E. Grant.
“A United Kingdom” (Amma Asante, United Kingdom) — World Premiere.
This biopic tells the true story of Seretse Khama, King of Bechuanaland (modern Botswana), and Ruth Williams, the London office worker he married in 1947 in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments. Starring David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike.
Special Presentations
“American Honey” (Andrea Arnold, USA) — North American Premiere.
Star, an adolescent girl from a troubled home, runs away with a travelling sales crew who drive across the American Midwest selling subscriptions door to door. Finding her feet in this gang of teenagers, she soon gets into the group’s lifestyle of hard-partying nights, law- bending days, and young love. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Riley Keogh, and Sasha Lane.
“Carrie Pilby” (Susan Johnson, USA) — World Premiere.
Carrie, a person of high intelligence who graduated Harvard at 18, struggles to make sense of the world as it relates to morality, relationships, sex and leaving her New York City apartment. Susan Johnson makes her feature directorial debut in this beautiful adaptation of the acclaimed novel. Stars Bel Powley, Nathan Lane, Gabriel Byrne, Vanessa Bayer, and Jason Ritter.
“A Death in the Gunj” (Konkona Sensharma, India) — World Premiere.
Set in 1979, this coming of age story follows a shy young Indian student who quietly and fatefully unravels during a family road trip to McCluskiegunj. Stars Vikrant Massey, Ranvir Shorey, Kalki Koechlin, Gulshan Devaiah, Tillotama Shome, Jim Sarbh, Tanuja Mukherjee, Om Puri, and Arya Sharma.
“Foreign Body” (Raja Amari, Tunisia/France) — World Premiere.
Samia immigrates to France illegally. Obsessed by the idea her radical islamist brother might be stalking her, she first finds refuge with Imed, an acquaintance from her village, then with Leila, her employer. Desire and fear heightens the tension between the three protagonists. With Hiam Abbass, Sarra Hannachi, and Salim Kechiouche.
“Maudie” (Aisling Walsh, Canada/Ireland) — Canadian Premiere.
“Maudie” tells the true story of Maud Lewis, who overcame the physical challenge of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis to become one of Canada’s premier folk artists. Stars Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke.
“Paris Can Wait” (Eleanor Coppola, USA) — World Premiere.
An American woman in a tired marriage finds herself on an unforeseen road trip from Cannes to Paris with a dashing Frenchman. What should be a seven-hour drive unexpectedly takes two days with many diversions: picturesque sites, fine food and wine, humour, fun, wisdom — and romance. Starring Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard and Alec Baldwin.
“Things to Come” (Mia Hansen-Løve, France/Germany) — Canadian Premiere.
A delicate and affecting tale about a middle-aged professor whose carefully structured life is thrown into disarray when her husband leaves her for another woman, and who finds an unlikely new companion in a former student and radical young communist. With Isabelle Huppert, André Marcon, Roman Kolinka, Edith Scob, Sarah Le Picard, and Solal Forte.
“Toni Erdmann” (Maren Ade, Germany) — Canadian Premiere.
An alternately hilarious and mortifying comedy about the fraught relationship between a repressed corporate consultant and her incessantly prank-playing dad. Starring Peter Simonischek, Sandra Hüller, Michael Wittenborn, Thomas Loibl, Trystan Pütter, Hadewych Minis, Lucy Russell, Ingrid Bisu, Vlad Ivanov, and Victoria Cocias.
