Though we got it once before as a 1992 Annette Haywood-Carter film starring a young Angelina Jolie and (before-she-was-famous) Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis, there's certainly room for improvement. And when you have the Palme d'Or-winning director behind "The Class," filmmaker Laurent Cantet, deciding to take on the classic Joyce Carol Oates novel "Foxfire: Confessions Of A Girl Gang," and bring it to the big screen, our interest is piqued.
Forgoing big names, Cantet has gone with newcomers Claire Mazerolle, Kate Coseni and Madeleine Bisson, in the story that follows the five teenagers from a small town in New York State in the 1950s who, out of their distrust of society, form a secret group called Foxfire to avenge the brutal humiliations they have suffered at the hands of men. Here's the official synopsis: The latest film from Palme d’Or winner Laurent Cantet (Entre les murs) is a vivid adaptation of the celebrated Joyce Carol Oates novel about a small-town girl gang in the 1950s.
"Foxfire" will make its World Premiere at TIFF. Alliance Films will distribute the picture in Canada, but no U.S. company has signed on just yet.
No stranger to the festival circuit, beloved French filmmaker Francois Ozon ("Swimming Pool," "8 Women") returns to Toronto with "In The House."
Starring Kristin Scott Thomas, the film finds Ozon returning to the thriller genre after his previous effort, the light-hearted, frothy and forgettable "Potiche." Here's the official synopsis: A sixteen-year-old boy insinuates himself into the house of a fellow student from his literature class and writes about it in essays for his French teacher. Faced with this gifted and unusual pupil, the teacher rediscovers his enthusiasm for his work, but the boy’s intrusion will unleash a series of uncontrollable events.
The film will make its World Premiere at TIFF. Enterainment One will distribute the picture in Canada, with Cohen Media snagging the rights for the U.S.
Isabelle Huppert has already had a busy festival year in 2012, with two movies playing at Cannes (Michael Haneke's "Amour" and Hong Sang-soo's "In Another Country") and Brillante Mendoza's "Captive" screening in Berlin. And it doesn't stop there.
The actress crosses the pond for Italian master Marco Bellochio's ("Fists In The Pocket") "Dormant Beauty," which like Haneke's film, also explores death, albeit from a different angle. Here's the official synopsis: Italy is cleaved by Eluana Englaro’s drama, who will die after 17 years spent in a vegetative state. This national tragedy will touch and transform various characters, each of them with their own ideology and beliefs. A senator is struggling with his vote on a law he profoundly disagrees with, torn between his conscience and his loyalty towards the leaders of his party. His daughter Maria, a pro-life activist, is protesting in front of the clinic where Eluana is hospitalized. Roberto and his brother are there in opposition, demonstrating for stronger secular values — yet it is with Roberto, the “enemy” that Maria falls in love. These and other converging stories are connected by a unique emotional thread: a reflection on the meaning of life.
The film makes its International Premiere at TIFF and is still seeking North American distribution.
Already the subject of one festival bound documentary this year — "Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir" which unspooled at Cannes — the world's most (in)famous helmer is a subject of another doc, from a filmmaker who is more than familiar with the territory.
"Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired" helmer Marina Zenovich returns with "Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out" a follow-up look to her original film that explores the fallout that happened after it was released. Here's the official synopsis: In 2009, celebrated director Roman Polanski was arrested at the Zurich Film Festival. His weekend jaunt turned into a 10-month imprisonment. Zenovich’s follow up to Wanted and Desired — which some say was one of the reasons for Polanski’s arrest — explores the bizarre clash of politics, celebrity justice and the media.
The film is making its World Premiere at TIFF and is seeking stateside distribution.
