Has it been a year already? Approximately a year ago The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) came to Ottawa where it showcased films that were recognized as the best Canadian films of the year or as it’s affectionately known, Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival.
If you have read anything I have written or seen any of my movie reviews, I reference TIFF quite often, as they are the measuring stick for great films across the globe. If you are a filmmaker you want your movies to go through TIFF. The Academy Award for Best Picture recently has gone through TIFF.
While the main festival takes place every September in Toronto this organization offers year round programming. They show recent movies like ‘Call Me By Your Name’, ‘Annihilation’ and ‘A Fantastic Woman’ but also classics like ‘The Godfather’, ‘Heat’ and ’Interstellar’ to name a few. There is something for everyone.
What happens if you don’t live in Toronto? Don’t worry, TIFF has you covered!
For the second year in a row, the National Gallery will host selections from the Canada Top Ten Film Festival. The Gallery shows movies from time to time, which I think, is great. Over the next few days, three movies will screen at the Gallery that represent the very best of Canadian film over the last year.
The three films are:
Our People Will be Healed
A documentary by Alanis Obomsawin, which focusses on a group of Cree students who are taught their own history alongside the regular Manitoba school curriculum.
Ava
Fresh off its win at the Canadian Screen Awards for Best First Feature Film this film depicts the story of an Iranian girl whose mother catches her in act of rebellion.
RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World
This is another documentary. This film highlights the impact of indigenous musicians in Canada and the US on the development of rock music.
The Toronto International Film Festival is many things to many people, for some it is an opportunity to go and see the movie stars, for others it’s a chance to see great film. I look at it, as a yearlong institution that brings great films to the people and this once a year tour is an opportunity to get a taste of what happens 365 days at the TIFF Light box theatre in Toronto.
I’m very excited that the National Gallery is showing these fantastic Canadian films.
