by Larry Richman September 14, 2008 6:46 PM
The 2008 Toronto International Film Festival has come to an exciting conclusion and I've returned home to take stock of my experience there. As in previous years, and as I do following every film festival (30 since the start of 2006), this wrapup will conclude with my list of Top Picks.
This year I attended a total of 25 screenings. Only 10 were American (including one US/UK co-production). The other 15 films were from outside the US, including nine with subtitles. The other six represented other English-speaking countries -- two from host country Canada, one from the UK, one Canada/UK co-production, one from Australia, and one Ireland/Sweden co-production. The one from Canada/UK, Fifty Dead Men Walking, wasn't subtitled but should have been. There was one documentary -- It Might Get Loud.
Please keep in mind that there were a lot of enjoyable films -- only a few were disappointing. Most I'd recommend and some I'd even see again. But these are the best of the best -- the films that I'd not only recommend, but also see again and buy the DVD. I chose eight, listed below.
I also give a qualified recommendation to It Might Get Loud (USA), the documentary featuring Jimmy Page, The Edge, and Jack White. If you don't know who these people are, skip to the next section. If you do know these names, and the sound of their music excites you, this film is a must-see.
Here is my list of Top Picks from the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. Countries of origin are listed in parentheses.
(in alphabetical order)
Acolytes (Australia)
Adoration (Canada)
The Country Teacher (Czech Republic/Germany//France)
Krabat (Germany)
Lymelife (USA)
Patrik, Age 1.5 (Sweden)
Pride and Glory (USA)
Winds of September (Taiwan)
There were two films on my list which went on to win jury awards. Lymelife won the prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prize) for Discovery. In the City of Toronto-Citytv Award for Best Canadian Feature Film category, Adoration received a Special Citation.
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