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TIFF17: What I Saw/My Favourite Film

Sally Hawkins as Elisa in "The Shape of Water" 

Photo source: www.tiff.net

Of the 34 features that I saw at TIFF17, my absolute favourite is The Shape of Water, directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by del Toro and Vanessa Taylor. 

1. Ava
2. Disappearance
3. Euphoria
4. Euthanizer
5. Ex Libris - The New York Public Library
6. Eye on Juliet
7. Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami
8. I Love You Daddy
9. In Conversations with…Gael Garcia Bernal
10. In Conversations with…Javier Bardem
11. Ladybird
12. Let the Corpses Tan
13. Mary Goes Round
14. Miami
15. Nina
16. Other Side of Hope
17. Our People Will Be Healed
18. Porcupine Lake
19. Ravens
20. Roman J. Israel, Esquire
21. Short Cuts (various Programme selections)
22. The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales
23. The Current War
24. The Gospel According to Andre
25. The Hungry
26. The Other Side of Hope
27. The Racer and the Jailbird
28. The Royal Hibiscus Hotel
29. The Shape of Water
30. The Square
31. The Swan
32. The Third Murder
33. Valley of Shadows
34. Vampire Clay
35. What Will People Say

TIFF17: The First Film

"Ex Libris - The New York Public Library"

Photo source: www.tiff.net

I wanted to ease into TIFF17, so my first screening was the Frederick Wiseman documentary Ex Libris - The New York Public Library. Yep, you got that right. I decided to kick off the festival with a three-hour film. Why? Because I'm a library geek and how could I  go wrong with a master documentarian? Still, I watched the film with the general public in mind. Beyond its appeal to like-minded people, this doc has a lot to say about current social and political conditions in the United States. We don't just see people borrowing books, we get a glimpse into the various boroughs in which these libraries are located. The make-up of each area determines the library's usage: some borrowers don't have access to the Internet, cutting them off from what's happening around them and father afield. With hook-ups and laptops available from the library they now have access. While some areas have a high volume of digital borrows, books flourish in others, and culturally diverse materials/talks/courses, help sustain and build community--think sign language and braille! I was especially impressed by the inclusion of discussions on race  as it pertains to the history and composition of the country. I attended a Press and Industry screening, but I'm sure those who attend the public screening will be impressed with the scope of the film, leading to some socially relevant questions during the Q & A.

Visit: www.tiff.net for upcoming screening dates and times.

TIFF17: Chatting Short Cuts Programmes with Jason Anderson

TIFF17 kicks off Sept 7 and I don't want you to forget the Canadian and International short films that will be screening at the festival. The beauty of the Short Cuts programmes is that you get the chance to see little gems communicating ideas that you can ponder or laugh about later. I haven't see all the films, but I did get the opportunity to let TIFF programmer, Jason Anderson share his delight in his team bringing these 8 film programmes to the big screen at TIFF. Have a listen and then visit www.tiff.net for detailed information.