Much of the hype surrounding this year’s Toronto International Film Festival seems to revolve around the multitude of films that are screening at the event that have Oscar aspirations. However, if you’re a film purist that isn’t distracted by the latest shiny thing and are looking for something a bit more international and a bit more unique, then TIFF’s Platform section is for you.
TIFF just revealed its lineup for this year’s Platform section, and it’s an interesting hodgepodge of new directors and veterans, with different genres and filmmaking styles, providing a nice 10-film list that isn’t dominated by A-list stars and Oscar hopefuls. Though, that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of star-power and awards-worthy material premiering.
Some of the standouts of this year’s Platform section include the latest film from director Alice Winocour, titled “Proxima.” The film stars Eva Green and Matt Dillon, following the story of an astronaut as she faces an impossible decision. Actress-turned-filmmaker Julie Delpy has a new film that’s being showcased at TIFF’s Platform, titled “My Zoe.” The filmmaker steps in front of the camera to also star in the genre-bending story of a mother’s navigation through grief.
And rounding out the early standouts is “Sound of Metal,” from filmmaker Darius Marder. The film stars Riz Ahmed as a heavy metal drummer that is dealing with the sudden loss of his hearing. Olivia Cooke co-stars in the new film.
“With a dynamic, international slate that assembles some of brightest cinematic voices of today and tomorrow, this year’s lineup distills the essence of the Festival,” said Cameron Bailey, Platform Co-Curator and TIFF Artistic Director and Co-Head. “These films tackle some of the most urgent concerns of our day using original, exciting cinematic language.”
“Competitions should celebrate the range of what great cinema is and what it can accomplish. Platform is alive to those possibilities,” said Platform Co-Curator Andréa Picard. “Whether they are debuts or mid-career works, these films push the boundaries of narrative filmmaking in surprising and rigorous ways, some using documentary or experimental techniques in their approaches. Audiences will recognize similar themes emerge like a global collective subconscious, but what is truly exciting is the varied means of cinematic expression on display.”
The 2019 Toronto International Film Festival begins on September 5.
Platform’s 2019 full lineup includes:
Anne at 13,000 ft Kazik Radwanski | Canada/USA
World Premiere
Platform Closing Film
Martin Eden Pietro Marcello | Italy/France
International Premiere
The Moneychanger (Así Habló El Cambista) Federico Veiroj | Uruguay/Argentina/Germany
World Premiere
My Zoe Julie Delpy | Germany/France
World Premiere
Proxima Alice Winocour | France/Germany
World Premiere
Platform Opening Film
Rocks Sarah Gavron | United Kingdom
World Premiere
The Sleepwalkers (Los Sonámbulos) Paula Hernández | Argentina/Uruguay
World Premiere
Sound of Metal Darius Marder | USA
World Premiere
Wet Season Anthony Chen | Singapore/Taiwan
World Premiere
Workforce (Mano De Obra) David Zonana | Mexico
World Premiere