By Anne Brodie Gina Prince-Bythewood’s gobsmacking take on the historic warrior women of west Africa – the Dahomey Amazons – feels like a superhero epic but with living, breathing, relatable humans. The Woman King. The warriors are phenomenal – Viola Davis is power personified as Nanisca, leading a fine ensemble of actresses, who can convey it all with a look,… View Post
St. Vladimir’s Academy tips the hat to the original literary and folktale-based vampire, Dracula (Drăculea), Vladimir II of Wallachia who took the name “Dracul” after being invested in the Romanian Order of the Dragon in 1431. Cut to contemporary times as fresh young students, vampires in training, draw on the rich legacy of the bloodsucking yet seductive, romantic monster to… View Post
Andy Siara’s complex, time travelling mystery series The Resort is set in beautiful sunny Cancun where families have come for healing R and R. It’s anything but for two groups, linked by a catastrophe in 2007 that decisively changes the lifepath of a married couple vacationing there in 2022. All because of a flip phone. Siara says he once wanted… View Post
By Anne Brodie Delighted to report that Guy Maddin’s groundbreaking debut feature Tales from the Gimli Hospital Redux now restored in glorious 4K, will make its second debut at TIFF, thanks to Telefilm Canada, TIFF, and distributor Ron Mann, who describes it as ” including the replacement of a long-lost scene of the 1988 cult classic about blistering lust and… View Post
By Anne Brodie The Toronto International Film Festival is one of the world’s most popular industry and public gatherings – producers, directors, stars, reporters, publicists and civilians come in droves to take in films from every corner of the world. Now in its 47th year, TIFF is a leader with no true competitors. Born following an eye-opening trip to the… View Post
Nina Bloomgarden plays Violet, a young woman vacationing with her father following the traumatic loss of her mother. They’re staying at the Oceana Visa Resort in Cancun but there is little joy or healing despite the idyllic setting. Violet meets a young man (Skyler Gisondo). They disappear one night without a trace. Police suspect foul play, just as a massive hurricane… View Post