SonyaThere is something magical about seeing a film in person and on a large screen. Not just because of theatre popcorn but there are many films that are just better when it’s larger than life. There are also the films that may not get the wide screen releases — you know, often the more avant-garde, niche or foreign titles don’t get the same play time (or space) as the mass marketed ones? They are often the titles that inspire conversation and linger with us just a little bit longer. If you’ve ever checked into what’s playing at Toronto’s TIFF Bell Lightbox, you know that there is always something worth seeing and talking about.
TIFF has returned with in-person screenings and special programming including a month-long showcase of Women Filmmakers. Part of TIFF’s commitment to Share Her Journey the programming shines a spotlight on women creators, both historical and contemporary, and focus on films with a coming-of-age theme.
An Education. Photo courtesy of TIFF
A Home of One’s Own: Nordic Women Filmmakers – (March 10 to April 16) celebrates Nordic Women Filmmakers offering 14 titles, many of which premiered their films at the Toronto International Film Festival. Highlights include An Education from Danish filmmaker Lone Scherfig and Sami Blood from Swedish filmmaker Amanda Kernell. The series also includes Svala Hannesdóttir’s Greed, the first Icelandic narrative film directed by a woman, and The Man Who Was Allowed to Leave, the fractured folktale by the Faroe Islands’ Katrin Ottarsdóttir, who has almost single-handedly established Faroese cinema.
Also, a retrospective on the late American filmmaker Joan Micklin Silver (March 5 to April 2), which uncovers the hidden gems of the American New Wave and reveals Micklin Silver herself as one of the movement’s under-acknowledged mavericks.
On March 23, TIFF audiences are invited to attend an In Conversation With… event with Canadian filmmaker and author Sarah Polley for the launch of her new collection of essays, Run Towards the Danger.
Both Sides, Now: The Roles of Natalie Wood (March 4 to 24) highlights Wood’s career that spans over four decades, beginning in early childhood and including three Academy Award nominations by the time she was 25. This series explores Wood’s most familiar role as a woman between two worlds, navigating shifting romantic expectations and social mores with a modern combination of fragility and assertiveness. Gypsy, Splendor in the Grass, This Property is Condemned, and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.
TIFF is supporting women in film with a campaign that honours the creators and features a personality quiz on groundbreaking filmmakers. To date, TIFF has raised more than $3 million to provide direct support to women along their creative journeys.
Thank you to TIFF for the recent invitation to the private screening of An Education by Lone Scherfig as part of the Nordic Women Filmmakers/Nordic Bridges programming…and the popcorn!