August 08, 2006
For Immediate Release:
Alluring International Titles Set To
Attract Film Buyers From Around The Globe
Toronto - 20 films join the enticing roster of international titles already announced as part of the 31st Toronto International Film Festival. This global palette of filmic delicacies includes 15 world premieres and 5 international premieres. These films join a list of highly anticipated English and non-English language films primed to magnetize the attention of distributors, exhibitors, and industry insiders at this year's Festival. Festival Passes and Coupon Books are now on sale. For more information call 416-968-FILM or click, bell.ca/filmfest.
MASTERS
RESCUE DAWN Werner Herzog, USA
World Premiere
Written and directed by legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog, this gripping new feature is based on the true story of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Dieter Dengler's (Christian Bale) death-defying escape from a Laos POW camp during the Vietnam War.
I AM THE OTHER WOMAN Margarethe von Trotta, Germany
World Premiere
An architect's decision to have a one-night stand with a mysterious lady in red sees him caught up in a web of dark secrets, sex, and death. Starring Armin Mueller-Stahl and Katja Riemann.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
FAY GRIM Hal Hartley, USA/Germany
World Premiere
This quasi-sequel to his 1997 film HENRY FOOL sees Fay (Parker Posey), a single mother preoccupied with raising her teenaged son, caught up in a rat race of international espionage while searching for her husband Henry - the most wanted man on earth.
THE FALL Tarsem Singh
World Premiere
Shot in 23 countries, this explosive visual epic reunites acclaimed moving image artist Tarsem Singh (THE CELL, R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" music video) with the realm of sinister, psychological fantasy. When a hospitalized paraplegic man tells a dark story to a young companion - a story that reflects his depressed state of mind - fantasy and reality begin to intermix, bleeding eerily into one another.
VINCE VAUGHN'S WILD WEST COMEDY SHOW Ari Sandel, USA
World Premiere
Gut-busting hilarity ensues on and off stage in this rare behind-the-scenes look into the complex psyche of stand-up comics. Director Ari Sandel chronicles the personal and professional journeys of four rising comedians as they traverse the country on a tour bus with Vaughn, unleashing their diverse comedic styles on large and appreciative audiences.
LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS Alek Keshishian, France/UK
World Premiere
"Jacks" (Brittany Murphy) - a sprightly American living in London and working at Vogue - plays cupid for her gay roommate Peter in this new comedy inspired by the wit and charm of BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, from the director of TRUTH OR DARE.
THE DOG PROBLEM Scott Caan, USA
World Premiere
Contrary to his therapist's recommendation, a failing novelist discovers that his new puppy may not be the answer to his problems in this shaggy dog story starring Giovanni Ribisi, Mena Suvari and Don Cheadle.
THIS IS ENGLAND Shane Meadows, UK
World Premiere
Meadows, the king of young British cinema, returns with a funny and bittersweet take on a young boy running with the wrong crowd. After the death of his father, 12-year-old Shaun takes to grieving by shaving his head and embracing the local skinhead fraternity.
10 ITEMS OR LESS Brad Silberling, USA
World Premiere
An aging Hollywood icon with a dwindling career finds himself at the mercy of a young female checkout clerk in this film from writer/director Brad Silberling (MOONLIGHT MILE), starring Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega.
MON COLONEL Laurent Herbiet, France/Algeria/Belgium
World Premiere
Renowned filmmaker Costa-Gavras scripted and produced this harrowing tale of the colonial war between France and Algeria, chronicling the conflicted relationship between a no-nonsense colonel and a young French officer, as well as the divide between flag-waving French civilians and the intimidating, unlawful military.
L'HOMME DE SA VIE Zabou Breitman, France/Italy
World Premiere
The arrival of an intriguing male neighbour tests both Frédéric's marriage and his once static sexuality as a quiet summer vacation becomes a tumultuous challenge of the heart. Starring Charles Berling and Bernard Campan.
ALATRISTE Agustin Diaz Yanes, Spain
International Premiere
Based on the bestselling book series in Spain, Viggo Mortensen stars (and speaks Spanish!) in this moody, beautiful film about a swashbuckling 17th century captain, which takes its visual cues from the paintings of Velasquez.
THE BUBBLE Eytan Fox, Israel
International Premiere
The lives of three young Tel Aviv scenesters - ignorant of the conflict and political unrest around them - are turned upside-down when a gay romance blossoms between Noam, an Israeli, and Ashraf, a Palestinian. From the director of WALK ON WATER and YOSSI AND JAGGER.
UN CRIME Manuel Pradal, France
International Premiere
Vincent will not rest until his wife's murderer is arrested. In an effort to make him happy, his neighbour Alice invents a culprit to help him get the revenge he so desires. Starring Harvey Keitel, Emmanuelle Beart and Norman Reedus.
HANA Hirokazu Kore-eda, Japan
International Premiere
Set in the past, Kore-eda's first-ever samurai film, and his first film since festival favourite NOBODY KNOWS, sees a young man torn between a path of vengeance and honour in an attempt to avenge his father's death.
VISIONS
THE BOOK OF REVELATION Ana Kokkinos, Australia
International Premiere
An accomplished dancer, mysteriously abducted by three hooded women, is thrown back into the world twelve days later. A broken man, he attempts to find the anonymous women who have stolen his life. From the director of HEAD ON, and starring Greta Scacchi and Tom Long.
CONTEMPORARY WORLD CINEMA
HULA GIRLS Sang-il Lee, Japan
World Premiere
Based on a true story, this witty and intelligent comedy sees an ambitious man attempt to save his declining coal mining town by building Japan's first Hawaiian village, bringing in a troupe of coal miners' daughters to learn the heartwarming Hula dance.
OUTSOURCED John Jeffcoat, USA
World Premiere
Jeffcoat offers a hilarious look at business relations between America and India. After his entire department is outsourced, an American novelty products salesman (Josh Hamilton) heads to Gharapuri to train his replacement.
THE LAST WINTER Larry Fessenden USA/Iceland
World Premiere
In this chilling ghost story, after a member of their team is found dead, the barren landscape claims the sanity of a group of people on an oil expedition in the Northern Alaska tundra. Starring Ron Perlman, James Le Gros, Connie Britton and Kevin Corrigan.
WAITER Alex van Warmerdam, Netherlands
World Premiere
Warmerdam wrote, directed and stars in this film about a down-and-out waiter paying visits to the screenwriter who seems to control his life.
These films join three previously announced films, Michael Ian Black's THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY; Petra Epperlein and Michael Tucker's THE PRISONER OR: HOW I PLANNED TO KILL TONY BLAIR; and Pascal Arnold and Jean-Marc Barr's CHACUN SA NUIT, as highly anticipated acquisition titles. Over 3000 industry professionals are expected to attend the Festival as delegates of S&I-06, this year's installment of the newly revamped Sales & Industry Office. S&I-06 services facilitate film sales at the Festival's OMDC Sales venue, fostering relationships between accredited buyers, sales agents, and filmmakers. Buyers and sales agents who wish to be accredited through S&I-06 should contact
[email protected] or click, industry.tiffg.ca.
Masters is made possible through the generous support of BMO Nesbitt Burns. Visions is made possible through the generous support of SWAROVSKI. Contemporary World Cinema is made possible through the generous support of Sun Life Financial. The OMDC Sales venue is made possible through the generous support of the Ontario Media Development Corporation. Special thanks to our Major Industry Sponsor Bell and Major Government Supporters Telefilm Canada and the Government of Ontario.