Monthly Archives: September, 2011

Canada's most idiosyncratic auteur, nobody love schlocky expressionism and silent film bombastics than Guy Maddin. His free-wheeling 5-minute short The Heart of the World informed the cinema world with all they needed to know about the skills that he is capable of, and his hilarious and super-personal My Winnipeg brought him a giant new legion of fans.

Not much is known about first-timer Julia Murat other than her origins at Rio de Janeiro University. Premiering in Venice Days, so she must have some kind of distinct rigour to land in such a prestigious and selective sidebar.

I've been keeping tabs on Ratanaruang oeuvre since 99's 6ixtynin9 and while his most recent work (2007's Ploy and 2009's Nymph) only wetted my appetite, I've got a feeling that Toronto programmers will serve a full plate with this number shot from the perspective of the film's lead. With dp Chankit Chamnivikaipong once again onboard, we can at least expect this to visually deliver.

Ears perked up when reviews coming in from Locarno described Ruslan Pak's debut film as a Uzbekistan set, slighted deviated version of The Wire. Reviews suggest that this could be one of the better portraits about identity -- apart from the film's protag, here displaced fourth generation Soviet Koreans are unaware of one's moral and cultural lineage.

Mia Hansen-Løve likely needs no introduction. Her first two features premiered in Cannes and left noticeable imprints and a healthy following on her tail. Releasing a new film for the first time as an anticipated director (IFC Films made a rare rights grab during production), the pressure is definitely hot and heavy. Picked up pretty decent word after its Locarno unveiling, the trajectory for this budding superstar is still aimed due north.