‘Lars’ ‘Found’ ‘My Father’ ‘in the Park’ at TIFF

What I like about TIFF and how they announce their full festival slate is that the “good news” is stretched out over the course of 6 or 8 weeks or so. Last week they unveiled about 2 dozen titles that preemed mostly at Cannes and yesterday they unveiled some U.S indie titles as part of the Special Presentations section.

The one title that I’m looking forward to seeing in this 5 pack is Craig Gillespie’s Lars And The Real Girl  – a highly anticipated film (for the folks here at IONCINEMA) that was one of the better scripts floating around the industry until Sidney Kimmel Ent. grabbed it. Ryan Gosling stars in a role that audiences are sure to appreciate. It also happens to be the only film out of the 5some not seeking domestic distribution – so buyers will be lined up for these other 4.  

I’m curious about Helen Hunt’s directorial debut (Then She Found Me)– a passion project conceived over at Killer Films (this might find theatres via THINKFILM). I have a little more curiosity for David Auburn’s first (The Girl in the Park) – a dramatic down-and-out film that might position Sigourney Weaver back into Oscar-mention territory. Aussieland will be repped by Romulus, My Father. Based on Raimond Gaitas' award-winning memoir and written by Nick Drake, this is the story of a young family's bid to start a new life in a hostile country (from Germany to Australia in 1950). The story focuses on the relationship between the boy and his father in the wake of his mother's death. Finally, John Sayles’ Honeydripper is a title I know the least about – it goes back into time when rock 'n roll was known as the blues.