While the world is getting ready to come to TIFF next month, with pictures from all corners of the globe making their splashy red carpet premieres, it can be easy to forget there’s talent on Canada’s homegrown soil also looking for some attention. And director Terry Miles will be on hand to unveil his latest, “Cinemanovels.”
Starring Lauren Lee Smith, Jennifer Beals, Ben Cotton, Katharine Isabelle and Kett Turton, the film tells the story of the daughter of a late, acclaimed Quebecois filmmaker who decides to mount a retrospective of his work. But as you’ll see in this exclusive clip, this mission comes with some emotional baggage as well. Here’s the full synopsis:
Grace (Lauren Lee Smith) had not spoken to her recently deceased father, the fabled Québécois filmmaker John Laurentian, in years. So even she’s surprised when, on a trip to pick up some of his belongings, she offers to help put together a retrospective of his work. Not only has she not seen any of it (their rift was spectacularly traumatic), she knows nothing about curating. She’s also a shut-in who rarely ventures outside the condo she shares with her husband, Ben (Ben Cotton). Grace struggles along fitfully, dozing off while watching her father’s movies (all of them involving love triangles), and discussing her inertia with her confidante, Clem (Jennifer Beals).
By happenstance, she meets Adam (Kett Turton), a neighbour who’s an expert on all things Laurentian and offers to help her out. As Grace digs deeper into her father’s life and work — and after a disturbing encounter with his long-time lover and lead actress Sophie (Gabrielle Rose) — she finds herself taking on his persona.
The dramedy will screen at TIFF next week. After the clip, check out the official poster for the movie as well.
