The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is about to return for its 47th year. The festival is the perfect opportunity for people in the film industry to interact, learn, and of course, watch some of the most brilliant movies from across the world. TIFF has become of the most important film festivals, with Variety calling it “second only to Cannes in terms of high-profile pics, stars, and market activity”. That is why the films showcased at this particular festival are considered the best of that time period. In fact, as Goldberg states, TIFF acts as a “launching ground for award season”. So, the fate of the film might be decided based on its TIFF screening.
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Under the drama genre, TIFF has put together 42 films. While the number might sound insanely large for some viewers, there’s a very good reason why every single one of these productions has been selected. Thus, this article will provide a brief overview of these films while attempting to convince film enthusiasts to watch them.
Every Drama Movie at TIFF 2022
- A Gaza Weekend Alice, Darling Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe Broker Brother Carmen Corsage Decision to Leave Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery Holy Spider Joyland My Policeman On the Come Up One Fine Morning Other People’s Children Pacification Paris Memories Prisoner’s Daughter Pussy Queens of the Qing Dynasty Return to Seoul Shimoni Saint Omer Stories Not to be Told Susie Searches The Banshees of Inishering The Blue Caftan The Eternal Daughter The Fabelmans The Gravity The Kingdom Exodus The Lost King The Son The Swimmers The Whale The Woman King The Wonder The Young Arsonists Triangle of Sadness Unruly Until Branches Bend Women Talking
TIFF 2022: The Most Exciting Movies Making a World Premiere
A Gaza Weekend
Alcove Entertainment, British Film Institute (BFI) & Film 4.
If one were to make a movie by taking into regard the COVID-19 outbreak and the Palestine-Israel conflict and adding some humor to these dreadful issues, A Gaza Weekend would be the result. The title seems to suggest that the characters are taking a trip to the Gaza strip; thus this film considers the Gaza strip to be the “safest place” in the world when in the real world’s context it is one of the most dangerous war zones. The story focuses on a British journalist, Michale (Stephen Mangan) and an Israeli, Keren (Mouna Hawa), both attempting to enter the Gaza strip.
Alice, Darling
Lionsgate & Elevation Pictures
This upcoming American-Canadian thriller is Mary Nighy’s directorial debut and has Anna Kendrick taking the lead role of Alice. According to Nighy, the film “is a subtle, nuanced story about coercion and control”. The details thus far have revealed that the plot will focus on the protagonist and her relationship with her abusive boyfriend and the events that unfold as she takes a road trip with her two closest friends.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
Limelight, 3Pas Studios, Big Swing Productions, Boies Schiller, Entertainment & 5000 Broadway Productions
Based on one of the Times 100 best YA books of all time written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz in 2012, this film focuses on two young Mexican American boys, each with their own struggles, trying to navigate through discoveries about themselves. The two characters form a life-changing bond in the summer of 1987 and thus, the film is expected to include a lot of emotions. Interestingly, this is yet another directorial debut as this would be Aitch Alberto’s first film direction. Alberto’s writing credits include HBO’s Duster and Apple TV+’s Little America.
Broker
CJ E&M
Broker is a South-Korean drama film by Hirokazu Kore-eda that was released in June 2022. In his review of the film, See states:
Interestingly, the film is not about your typical brokers but rather focuses on the brokering of babies who are left behind, anonymously, in baby boxes by their biological parents. Given that Song Kang-Ho, who is known for his performances in Parasite and Memories of Murder, is one of the main characters, it is obvious that Broker is a must-watch.
Hirokazu’s visual storytelling could be described as delicate, tender, and stupendously detail-oriented.
Brother
Elevation Pictures
This is another book-to-film adaptation that is set to be screened at TIFF. Based on David Chariabdy’s novel Brother, the film takes us back to the 1990s hip-hop scene and focuses on Francis and Michael, the sons of Caribbean immigrants, who cross paths with a mystery that alters their lives. The film will include renowned actors like Lamar Johnson and Aaron Pierre.
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Carmen
Good Deed Entertainment
Benjamin Millepied’s Carmen is based on Mérimée’s infamous novella Carmen, which is set in the 19th Century, and is also a manifestation of the “European fascination with the foreign and the exotic” as the story focuses on the Roma people. The film focuses on the protagonist’s journey towards finding freedom after years and years of a life of servitude simply because tradition forced her to devote her life to the church.
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Corsage
Alamode Film & Ad Vitam Distribution
Yet another film that takes us back in time, Corsage focuses on a fictional account of the later life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. With Vicky Krieps taking the lead role, Felperin states that the film is as interesting as Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. The film takes a feminist perspective and unpacks the patriarchal issues enforced on a female royal.
Decision to Leave
CJ Entertainment
With South Korean cinema grabbing audiences across the world with its brilliance, Decision to Leave would be another must-watch. This film is an amalgamation of romance and mystery as the plot focuses on a detective that falls for his prime suspect. Decision to Leave was picked out by the Korean Film Council to represent South Korea at the 2023 Academy Awards under the best international feature category.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Netflix
A sequel to the 2019 movie, Knives Out, this film focuses on a whole new mystery that is set in Greece. Daniel Craig reprises his role as Detective Blanc while actors including Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kaye Hudson, and Jessica Henwick enter the mystery. The film will be released on Netflix following its screening at TIFF.
Holy Spider
Alamode Film (Germany), TriArt Film (Sweden) & Metropolitan Filmexport (France)
Holy Spider is a crime thriller by Iranian film director, Ali Abbasi. The film is based on one of the worst serial killers in Iran’s history, Saeed Hanei, who targeted sex-workers and murdered them “for the sake of God, and for the protection of (my) religion”. Zar Amir Ebrahimi, who portrayed Rahimi, won the Best Actress Award at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. The film has received some backlash from the Iranian government, with the Culture Ministry calling it an insult to Muslims. Nonetheless, it is no doubt that the film has much to unpack in terms of social issues.
Joyland
Film Constellation
Set in Lahore, Pakistan, this film by Saim Sadiq explores patriarchal society and its homophobic ideologies. Joyland is the first Pakistani film that entered the Cannes Film Festival. This film is definitely one that is making history while unpacking a lot of issues that many South Asians go through.
My Policeman
On the Come Up
Paramount Pictures, State Street Pictures & Temple Hill Entertainment
Sanaa Lathan’s directorial debut and Thomas’s second book-to-screen adaptation following The Hate U Give, this film focuses on a sixteen-year-old Bri who wants to be a successful rapper. It is expected that this film will explore many dark themes like gang violence and racism.
One Fine Morning
Les films du losange & Weltkino Film
This Mia Hansen-Løve’s French-Drama film is all about family, loss, and love. Léa Seydoux takes the lead role of Sandra, who is a young woman with a daughter and an extremely ill father struggling to ensure her father is provided the necessary health care. The film went on to win the Europa Cinemas Label at Cannes.
Other People’s Children
Les Films Velvet
This French film follows a 40-year-old woman trying to have a family of her own. With so much love to give, Rachel seems to be running out of time, and thus, the movie asks “is it too late?”. Other People’s Children goes on to focus on the strong bonds between people with Rachel growing close to her boyfriend’s 4-year-old daughter regardless of her not being the child’s mother.
Pacification
Anderground Films, Arte France Cinéma & Institut Català de les Empreses Culturals (ICEC)
While the reviews for this particular film has been mixed, Hammond states:
The film is a drama thriller that takes place on an island in French Polynesia. Thus, it can be said that the viewer might end up loving the film or might end up not being its biggest fan.
It works on many levels, taking its time in two hours and forty five minutes to create a portrait of an enigmatic man named De Roller (Benoit Magimel) who seems to say whatever thought pops in his head at any given moment, an odd duck not necessarily playing with reality, or so it appears
Paris Memories
Darius Films & Dharmasala
Even though the title might suggest something quite romantic, this film focuses on the trauma caused by the 2015 terrorist attacks on Paris. Paris Memories focuses on a protagonist trying to cope with the trauma caused by the brutal attacks and takes us on her journey towards healing. Thus, the film can be seen as a reflection on humanity.
Prisoner’s Daughter
VVS Films
Kate Beckinsale takes the lead role as the prisoner’s daughter with Brian Cox portraying the dying convict who is trying to rekindle with the former and her son whom he has never known. The thriller also takes us back to the convict’s violent past, in turn, creating a chilling view for the viewer.
Pussy
Push Pictures
This Canadian film follows three young queer friends who find themselves entangled in a mystery which tests their bonds. The film will be the filmmaker Amenta’s debut feature.
Queens of the Qing Dynasty
Hi-Vis Film
Released in February 2022, this was Sarah Walker’s, who plays the protagonist, first time acting in a film. Mackenzie states that the film is based on a close character study on one of the girls that auditioned for her last feature Werewold, but didn’t end up getting the role. The film focuses on the aftermath of the protagonist’s attempted suicide. With a special babysitter looking after her, the two develop their bond into something more than what was initially assigned.
Return to Seoul
MUBI, Sony Pictures Classics & Les Films du Losange
This film by the Cambodian-French filmmaker, Davy Chou, focuses on a 25-year-old woman named Freddie who decides to search for her biological parents by taking the sudden decision to go back to South Korea, Interestingly, she is “unreasonably self-impressed, condesceanding and often flat-out cruel”, in turn, making her a not-so-favorite amongst the viewers. However, this might be one key aspect that makes the film more interesting as it takes a more realistic perspective of characters.
SHIMONI
This film can be quite intense as it unpacks the story of a teacher that was newly released from prison. The trauma the protagonist faces following his release and the manner in which society looks at him leads to some heavy topics.
Saint Omer
Srab Films
The film takes place in Saint Omer, France, and follows Rama, a successful journalist, that attends the trial of a Senegalese woman named Laurence Coly, who was accused of murdering her baby. Even though Rama enters the court with hopes to find ideas for her book, which is inspired by the Medea myth, the trial forces her to unpack her past and her impending motherhood. The film can be quite intense as it is “a work of abstracted psychological portraiture”.
Stories Not to be Told
Filmax
This Spanish comedy film consists of five stories, each with its own main character. However, unlike other movies by Cesc Gay, this particular film allows women characters to take the spotlight instead of focusing only on men. Mayorga states:
The short stories are sparked by a chance meeting, the suffering of public humiliation or an absurd decision.
Susie Searches
141 Entertainment
The film takes place amidst a mystery where a college student vanishes. The protagonist, Susie, played by Kiersey Clemons, attempts to seek answers while trying to bolster her true crime podcast. This dark comedy is directed by Sophie Kargman and the cast includes Alex Wolff as the student that disappears.
The Banshees of Inisherin
Searchlight Pictures
This upcoming comedy-drama by Martin McDonagh stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson as the leads. Gleeson’s character, Colm, suddenly decides to end the friendship, in turn, creating conflicts for both of them, which is the primal focus of the film.
The Blue Caftan
Ad Vitam Distribution (France), Films Boutique (World-wide), Movies Inspired (Italy) & Strand Releasing (USA)
Zilko sums up the premise of the film perfectly through the statement:
This Moroccon film explores themes of love, sexuality, and marriage, in turn, bringing in an emotional ride for the audience. It is also a reminder of how beautiful life can be and how it does not end at a certain point as there is so much to explore.
A closeted gay tailor, who fights with his wife about money, begins mentoring a young man who’s more beautiful than any item in his shop. Gee, what could possibly happen here?
The Eternal Daughter
A24
This film is definitely going to be an interesting one given that it was “shot in secret in Waled during lockdown”. The story focuses on an elderly mother and her daughter as they return to their family home, which brings back some secrets of the past. With the Oscar winner, Tilda Swinton, taking over one of the leading roles with Joanna Hogg, known for her films Unrelated, The Souvenir, and The Souvenir Part II, being the writer and the director, this film will bring in some great reviews.
The Fabelmans
Universal Pictures
Having Julia Butter, who is known for her role in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, on screen is always exciting, especially given her brilliant deliveries. This film includes Butters as well as Gabriel LaBelle as the protagonist, Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, and Seth Rogen. The Fabelmans takes place in a post-World War II context, with the story focusing on the Fabelman family, as suggested by the title. Interestingly, the film is “loosely based on Steven Spielberg’s childhood” and will come to theaters on November 23, 2022.
The Gravity
Kinology
This feature film by Cédric Ido takes place in a “futuristic Parisians suburb” which faces chaos due to an unknown cosmic event that disrupts Earth’s gravity. Cédric Ido, who is both an actor and a director, is known for his films Twaaga and Chateau. The Gravity’s cast includes Steven Tientcheu, Hafsia Herzi, and Olivier Rosemberg.
The Kingdom Exodus
Mubi
Lars von Trier’s Danish miniseries trilogy created in 1994, returns for its third and final season. The series includes horror and mystery elements and is thus, quite a different inclusion to the list of TIFF films. With the hospital as its setting, the series’ inclusion of supernatural elements is one key reason why it has become successful. The Kingdom is the first series released by MUBI with the founder Efe Cakarel stating that it “is the perfect first show to introduce episodic storytelling to MUBI”
The Lost King
Warner Bros. Pictures (United Kingdom) Pathé (France and Switzerland)
With Sally Hawkins taking the lead role of Philippa Langley, the story focuses on the 2012 discover of King Richard III’s remains. This fictionalized narration of the discovery will include an appearance of King Richard III himself, with Harry Lloyd portraying the infamous King.
The Son
Film4
This upcoming film by Florian Zeller is based on his 2018, okay Le Fils. With Zen McGrath and Hugh Grant taking the lead roles of the son, Nicholas, and father, Peter, alongside Laura Dern and Vanessa Kirby, the story focuses on the bond between a father and a son. The film is sure to be an emotional ride.
The Swimmers
The Swimmers is a Netflix movie that is based on the true story of the two Mardini sisters, Yusra and Sara, who fled from war-torn Syria. The film is directed by Sally El Hosaini. Cameron Bailey, the TIFF CEO, states the film “was the very best kind of surprise when we saw it this summer — an exciting, epic journey and the arrival of an important filmmaker.” The film will be exploring important themes, especially the themes of refugee and alienation.
The Whale
Based on Samuel D. Hunter’s play of the same name, this film is directed by Darren Aronofsky, who is known for Requiem for a Dream. The film follows the story of an obese man, Charlie (Brendan Fraser), and his attempt at rekindling his bond with his estranged daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink). The story, as per the play, unpacks the characters’ vulnerabilities, with Charlie dominating the story “both physically and emotionally”.
The Woman King
Sony Pictures Releasing
With Viola Davis taking over the lead role of General Nanisca, this powerful story is based on the true events that took place in the Kingdom of Dahomey in the 18th and 19th centuries. The focus on the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors, who protected Dahomey, is sure to invoke feminist themes. With such phenomenal characters taking over the screen, this film will become an instant fan favorite.
The Wonder
Florence Pugh has been taking over the film industry with her brilliant performances. The Wonder is yet another film that will illustrate Pugh’s diverse acting skills as this will be a psychological thriller that takes the viewer back in time to the Victorian era. The story will focus on the era’s bizarre phenomenon of the “fasting girls”. The director, Lelio, states that The Wonder is not merely the portrayal of a “collision between reason and faith, individual and community, obedience and rebellion, but also to explore (my own) interpretation of what a ‘period’ film can be.” Thus, the film will include some twists and turns, making it an exciting watch. This adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s novel will be released on Netflix.
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The Young Arsonists
Borrowed Light Films, Hawkeye Pictures & Luna1
This is the first feature film from Sheila Pye, and it will focus on four teenage girls. Set in the 1980s, the story focuses on the traumas these girls are going through due to the struggles with their families.
Triangle of Sadness
Neon
Ruben östlund’s satirical dark comedy takes a jab at “the One Percent, western entitlement, the fashion industry, the arms trade, you name it” as the characters that represent this group of people enter a cruise ship. Interestingly, things do not go smoothly for them, and the film is not afraid to use some graphic scenes to mock the rich. With Woody Harrelson taking over the role of the cruise’s Captain, Triangle of Sadness will definitely leave the audience with laughter and much to think about.
Unruly
Nordisk Film Production
Unruly revisits a dark period in Denmark’s history where patriarchal rule was determined to control and oppress women. This feature by Malou Reymann takes place at a time when women who defied social norms and expectations were sent to an isolated island for years and sterilized. As Reymann clearly points out, this topic might be quite relevant today as it might reflect on the current threats to women and their rights.
Until Branches Bend
Ceroma Films, Experimental Forest Films & Reign Films
This film by Sophie Jarvis focuses on a pregnant cannery worker as she tries to convince her community of the threat imposed by an invasive insect inside a locally grown peach. Grace Glowicki takes the lead role of Robin. While the storyline seems unusual thus far, the film might dwell on some important themes as it unpacks Robin’s psychological journey.
Women Talking
United Artists Releasing
This particular film will be one powerful movie not simply because it includes the exceptional cast of Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, and the Oscar-winner, Frances McDorman, but also because of the way in which it tackles the issue of sexual assault. Based on Miriam Toews book by the same name, is “based on real events and told through the “minutes” of the women’s all-female symposium”. This film is yet another one on the TIFF list that resonates with the current social context.
