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cinephilebella · 5 years ago

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Why I’m Seeing What I’m Seeing at TIFF19

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (dir. Céline Sciamma)

A Sapphic French love story set in the 1700s made by one of the best filmmakers currently working? How could I possibly refuse? Sciamma’s fourth feature film has been lauded for its distinct, erotic aesthetics that are marked by haunting and longing. In May, Cannes awarded the film with the Queer Palm, a triumph previously achieved by the likes of Xavier Dolan and Todd Haynes. This is one of my most anticipated films of the fest, and I’m in complete awe that it kicks off my TIFF19.

Blackbird (dir. Roger Michell)

Depressing, brooding family dramas have my name written all over them (re: KRISHA). On the precipice of death, a matriarch gathers her disjointed family for one last weekend together. I gravitate towards chaos that is different from action or adventure movies: I like small-scale strife that hits home, feels more personal than Tom Cruise flying over the Andes to save the world from god-knows-what. Plus, Kate Winslet is a goddess.

Military Wives (dir. Peter Cattaneo)

Kristin. Scott. Fucking. Thomas. Earlier this week I had a dream that I met her and she liked me because I could speak French to her – very wishful thinking. Films that centre on female collectives make me feel warm and gooey, thankful to have my own girls to call home. Military Wives looks heartfelt and kindred, a movie that I’ll eventually buy on DVD and watch whenever I need to cry (à la Steel Magnolias).

Dolemite is my Name (dir. Craig Brewer)

I figured we might sprinkle some dramedy into the mix of our viewings (my TIFF squad is definitely tired of me dragging them along to really sad shit). This isn’t a film that I’d usually see (read as: I only watch boring movies), which is why I liked it when my neighbour suggested it. I’m excited to watch this with an audience and feel the energy of the room come to life.

My Zoe (dir. Julie Delpy)

It’s Julie Delpy, bitch! My artistically gifted, spiritually inclined favourite French queen (I say that loosely because I have a multitude of French queens). I’ve seen every movie Delpy has made – 2 Days in Paris, the one about Elizabeth Bathory, Lolo – everything. I’m just a massive fan of the way her mind works, her sardonic sense of humour and dialogue, and her effortless performances. She is as hardworking and devoted as they come, and I couldn’t do this fest without watching her new one-woman-show.

The Goldfinch (dir. John Crowley)

Sometimes at TIFF, I get a little too invested in the hype. The Goldfinch is a perfect example of my need to be first to everything that’s popular. This looks good – I mean, it’s Nicole Kidman so of course it’s good (I also said that about Boy Erased last year) – but I’m more interested in the experience of the night. I’m ready to be pleasantly surprised!

The Audition (dir. Ina Weisse)

Nina Hoss is of the top 5 most talented actresses alive. Please quote me on that. The Audition appears reminiscent of La Pianiste – one of my all-time faves. Ever since I watched Phoenix, I knew I had to see Nina Hoss act on the big screen before I died. I’m looking forward to some bleak, German brooding and angst.

Mrs. Fletcher (dir. Nicole Holofcener)

I am, without question, Kathryn Hahn’s biggest fan and I don’t care to argue. I will support her in whatever she chooses to do, and lucky for me, she picks great movies. Mrs. Fletcher is a TV show written by Tom Perrotta – the same man who wrote The Leftovers (yes he’s a genius, but let’s move on). Even without Hahn, this series is up my alley: a middle aged woman going through an identity crisis that is mirrored by her son’s coming of age story. All the pieces are there for pure HBO magic.

Frankie (dir. Ira Sachs)

Isabelle Huppert! And Marisa Tomei! Directed by Ira Sachs! Seeing this film announced at the fest gave me the most immediate, natural body high I’ve ever felt in my life. I’m a huge fan of Sachs (his intimacy and deep reflection give me chills) and Huppert is the end all be all of acting. I think this film will be something special and unforgettable.

Clemency (dir. Chinonye Chukwu)

After all the buzz this got at Sundance, I knew I had to make it my priority at TIFF. Alfre Woodard is a masterclass performer, and I can only imagine how meaty and intense this role is. Clemency tells the story of a prison warden in charge of executions. CHILLING, I know. It’s the type of story you’d never think to tell, which is why it seems particularly haunting.

Radioactive (dir. Marjane Satrapi)

Yes, yes, YES to celebrating great women in history! This film is based on the life of Marie Curie, played by none other than Rosamund fucking Pike. Admittedly, I don’t know much about the famed scientist which is likely equal parts mine and the education system’s faults. Cinema has taught me more about women’s contributions to society than school has, and i’m hoping that Radioactive is an example of that.

Saint Maud (dir. Alice Glass)

Hello Jennifer Ehle! My indie queen! My underrated God! I began to notice Ehle when she would pop up in all of these movies that I found remarkable, ultimately meaning that she has a knack for starring in divine films. Saint Maud looks like a mix of indie horror drama that I cannot live without. This is sincerely my most anticipated film of the whole festival, and I haven’t even seen a trailer!

I’m so ready to dive into TIFF19.

#tiff #tiff19 #film #cinema #text

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cinephilebella · 5 years ago

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My TIFF History!

Back in 2011, I became obsessed with American Horror Story -- so obsessed that I lined all my binders with cast photos and quotes from the series, rewatched every episode until I could recite them from memory, and fixated on the actors.

Most notably, I was completely enamoured by Jessica Lange (I mean, who isn’t! But for a 14 year old girl, the obsession was a touch bizarre). When I heard that Jessica Lange’s newest movie In Secret would be premiering at TIFF in 2013, I learned everything I could about the festival. (For anyone wondering - no I did not meet her but I waved at her from across the street and sat a few rows behind her at the screening. Pure fucking magic.)

For the next few years, I grew more interested in various actors. Jessica Lange soon became another phase as I moved into Jessica Chastain territory. Every year I’d wait on TIFF red carpets to meet the likes of Jane Fonda, Rachel Weisz, Paul Dano, Elisabeth Moss... the list goes on (I had too much free time).

My most memorable celebrity encounter was my first time meeting Jessica Chastain. I stupidly ran through traffic to greet her, she tweeted me how fondly she remembered me, and the rest is history. (Click here to watch the cringiest video of me meeting Chastain again a year later).

By 2015, I was an actual fan of FILM - not just celebrities. We spent our second last semester of drama class delving into auteur theory, and I grew acquainted with Ingmar Bergman - who, to this day, is still my favourite filmmaker.

I started to attend screenings at TIFF, occupying the TIFF Bell Lightbox year-round, and exploring my own taste in cinema. I initially stuck with premieres at TIFF, then tried out more unique films on weekends where I wouldn’t be missing school, and now look at me - last year I got fired from a part-time retail job for requesting so much time off for TIFF! (I am not trying to imply that I’m proud of that moment, but it’s pretty fucking funny).

For the last 2 years, I’ve aimed to see at least 10-15 films at the festival. My picks are a mix of galas that have gotten significant hype, foreign films that I’d never be able to see without the fest, and female-directed anything. I go to many of my screenings by myself, though I typically make friends along the way (shoutout to the guy I met at the ELLE premiere who kissed me on the cheek for getting him to meet Isabelle Huppert!)

I don’t believe anything in my life brings me the same concoction of excitement and anxiety the way TIFF does. I stress about tickets, about schedules, about managing work and school and life on top of commuting into the city to see some random indie that I can’t discuss with anybody because literally nobody cares about it! The experience is all at once personal and universal, as cinema itself is. TIFF is my favourite part of the year, so I’d like to finally share why that is.

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cinephilebella · 5 years ago

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A Brief Intro...

Hi all,

I’m Bella -- 22 years old and completely devoted to cinema. I’m a Pisces, so by nature, I engage in escapism. Cinema has only made it easier to slip into different universes and explore for hours, unbothered by my actual reality. There is power and knowledge to movies that strikes a deeper, more personal chord than other mediums; it’s the amalgamation of art / life / text / performance, the culmination of creativity and devotion. Cinema is transferrable magic, never reaching two people the same. The layers of reflection, perspective, and introspection make the same film different each time, for each person.

Daunting, excessive language aside: I fucking love movies. I love the gore and thrill of horror, the romanticism of French new wave, the intimacy of Bergman, and the obscurity of arthouse features. I love talking about cinema, writing about cinema, reading about cinema -- my point has been made.

Through this blog, I’m aiming to keep track of my experiences with cinema, namely my adventures with TIFF. I’d like for my reviews (that are more like diary entries instead of composed think-pieces), interests, and film related events to be streamlined into a (marginally) organized blog.

So consider following along and keeping up with my take on cinema if you desire. For the month of September, this blog will be primarily focused on TIFF - what fun! Hopefully you decide to stick around.

xo

Bella

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cinephilebella · 9 years ago

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