It was not too far back when women and the LGBTQ+ community complained of underrepresentation in films. Today, the reverse is true. The majority of films have a strong female slant or are made with a strong female perspective, many are now made by women. Three films stand out as trans movies at TIFF. Two of them are in my Best 10 list: Jacques Audiard's EMILIA PEREZ and CONCLAVE and the other which I have not seen, WILL AND CHUCK.
THE BEST OF TIFF 2024
In Order.....
DISCLAIMER
Who would ever imagine that a Primetime series would be the best thing to be seen at this year’s TIFF? TIFF managed to get the full 7 episodes at the last minute to ‘wow’ audiences with the most exciting and suspenseful psychological thriller that makes compulsive watching from start to end, all 6 hours of it. Robert (Sacha Baron Cohen), receives lewd photos of his wife (Cate Blanchett) from a man (Kevin Kline) whose son drowned from saving Robert’s son. The man wants retribution as the drowned son apparently had an affair with Robert’s wife. Excellent career-best performances all around from Kline, Blanchett and surprisingly Cohen, in dead serious mode. A few reminders of Carol’s genius as in the drowning scene that is reminiscent of a seaside segment in ROMA. and the way he comfortably switches the drama among the characters so effortlessly. I don’t normally review series, but the film was so compelling, that I stayed all 6 hours of the running time, skipping my next planned film. A definitely MUST-SEE!
CONCLAVE
the search for a new Pontiff gives rise to deceit, mystery and inner fighting in the incredibly well-performed drama that comes with a plot full of twists and turns.
ANORA
Drama on the marginalized sex worker, Anora who has to fight for the marriage after her new husband’s parents fly in from Russia to annul the marriage. Funny and smart, nary a dull moment,
THE SUBSTANCE
A horror feature that doubles as a satire on fitness and glamour with great special effects with surprises around every corner. Lots of gore and violence and over-the-top performances
EMILIA PEREZ
Jacques Audiard's latest film is a drama, suspense and retribution fable complete with his trademark violence and the need to find a better life. A drug kingpin trans with disastrous results while doing his/her best to keep things under his control with the help of his/her smart lawyer.
EDEN
Ron Howard’s best film to date is unlike anything he has done. Eden the the paradise that the Galapagos Islands are supposed to be, is shown in all its harshness and ugliness mostly with new settlers fighting among themselves for the essentials culminating in violence and humanity gone astray.
BERGERS (Shepherds)
A young Quebecois decides to quit city life to become an apprentice shepherd in Provence, France with unexpected dramatic results, The harsh life of shepherding is contrasted with the stunning beauty of the French Alps in this true story adapted by the protagonist’s novel.
LES BARBARES (Meet the Barbarians)
Julie Delpy proves her filmmaking chops with this really funny and insightful take on the refugee station French style. The small town of Paimpont (this place actually exists in Britanny) react when the residents reacted to taking in a Syrian instead of a Ukrainian family.
SANTOSH
The awful goings-on of the corrupt Indian police forces are given a female slant in this compelling and gruelling investigation of the rape and killing of an undergoing lower-caste girl in a village
WILLIAM TELL
The titular hero who shot through the apple on his son’s head is given full battle epic treatment old school style in the telling of a warrior fighting for the freedom of his people
