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Quirky Forcier pic leads Quebec charge
Quebec continues to prove it’s a distinct society, especially in filmmaking, as the province’s entries in TIFF 2004, including the works of one notable veteran and three TIFF rookies, defy easy categorization.
Doc-hungry distributors head to TIFF
Three years ago, Randy Manis didn’t pay much attention to documentaries screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. But for the senior VP of acquisitions and business affairs at Toronto-based distributor ThinkFilm, TIFF 2004 is all about docs.
Rookie helmers look for First! break
TIFF 2004 sees the launch of Canada First!, the new program featuring works by rookie Canuck feature directors as well as those making their TIFF debuts. Despite the thematic differences among this year’s Canada First! entries, all the directors Playback spoke with have one thing in common – they are all coming to the fest in search of sales.
U.S. and Canuck distribs collaborate on fest strategies
What’s the best way for a Canadian distributor to promote a film booked into the Toronto International Film Festival? With the help of Americans, of course.
Wide spectrum in Short Cuts Canada
The disappearance of Perspective Canada from the Toronto International Film Festival may mark the end of an era, but as far as the programming of Canadian short films is concerned, not much has changed. TIFF 2004’s Short Cuts Canada program will feature 38 Canuck shorts (films shorter than 50 minutes) chosen from 435 submissions, with programming criteria remaining the same.
Talent Lab Toronto highlights industry events
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, veteran director Gus Van Sant, acclaimed Canadian writer Michael Ondaatje and renowned Winnipeg filmmaker Guy Maddin head a lineup of creative mentors at this year’s inaugural Talent Lab Toronto. The program could prove to be the industry story of TIFF 2004, at least for the 21 filmmaking participants who have been selected for the intensive workshops, Sept. 10-12.
Linehan tribute leads Canuck fest initiatives
In addition to the screening of new Canadian films at TIFF 2004, Canuck initiatives this year include a tribute to the late Brian Linehan, a program of films by Pierre Perrault, a revival of The Rowdyman and a daily online fest report from director Rob Stefaniuk.
Hamilton stepping up as production destination
When Keith Large and the producers of The In-Laws needed to crash a plane, they went to Hamilton, ON. The script for the Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks comedy, which shot at locations across Canada a few years ago, called for a Cessna to go down with a bang at a Czech airfield, for which they used the airport in the south end of the city.
The shoot was easier than a stay at Toronto’s Pearson International, says Large, the location manager, in part because the Hamilton hub is smaller and less congested but is still big enough, and holds enough large passenger planes, to pass for any of several airports around the world.
Service
The underdog of golf
The Wild West revisited in Calgary
Calgary: Voice Pictures went to camera Aug. 9 on Migration and Wheel to the Stars, the first two of six MOWs coproduced with Turner Network Television and executive produced by Steven Spielberg, with DreamWorks distributing.
Broadcast
Vive la irony
Doc
WestWind tackles tough issues
Sara Edmonds: international woman of mystery
Toronto: A gender-bending Canadian woman who fought and spied for the north during the American Civil War took a step closer to Hollywood recently when L.A. producers Michel Shane and Anthony Romano (Catch Me If You Can, I, Robot) optioned her life story.
The script Sara by Toronto writer Barry Brown recounts the adventures of New Brunswick-born Sara Edmonds who, after fleeing an arranged marriage in Canada, joined the Union army while disguised as a man.
Features
Five productions in three months for Insight
Water wrapped in veil of secrecy
DEEPA Mehta has finished shooting Water, the controversial feature that got her burned in effigy and chased out of India by political and religious protestors four years ago. The picture wrapped in June after a top-secret four-month stay in Sri Lanka and is now in post at Deluxe in Toronto, according to producer David Hamilton.
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