With so many films premiering or playing at TIFF, it can be overwhelming to navigate the massive slate. Luckily, you have me, who has attacked the very long list of films and has pulled out a few hidden gems you should put on your radar ahead of landing in Toronto. I’ve been hard at work hosting my own little mini-festival at home, discovering new and exciting films that may not be in the marquee lineup but are no less worthy of your time. Let’s take a look a few of these discoveries that you should carve out some time for in your festival lineup!
Ancestors
A huge surprise, Ancestors was not a film I even knew was on the TIFF slate but has immediately shot up to the top of my must see recommendations. A meditative, quiet, poetic and ethereal story of fear, trauma, death, community and hope set amid the AIDS crisis in England in the 80s. Stunning cinematography and excellent performances make this an emotional rollercoaster that is sure to stir your soul and leave you deeply moved. Discoveries like Ancestors are rare finds, and I would highly encourage you to mark this one down and make sure you check it out at the festival.
The Smell of Apples
Sometimes a film needs a little bit of time to ruminate before you’re able to fully let it in and embrace it. The Smell of Apples is that kind of film, one that I wasn’t quite sure of to begin with but has not left my mind and has ultimately won me over. I’m a sucker for films that juxtapose mundanity amid the backdrop of atrocity, and The Smell of Apples is a tightrope act between the horrors of living during South African Apartheid and simple, daily lives of white South Africans. It’s a very tricky thing to pull off, thankfully Smell of Apples nearly nails the trick to perfection. The smaller side of TIFF to be sure, but one you should flag and sit with.
Coward
Hot out of Cannes, Coward comes to TIFF with a lot of momentum and rightfully so. It’s probably incorrect to call Coward a hidden gem, but in the sea of big festival imports I’m gonna go ahead and count it. Forbidden romance amid the horrors of WWI, Coward beautifully expresses the desperate longing for a life we can’t have while existing in the cyclical violence of war. It also layers on themes of art and its power, how vital things like theater and music and song can uplift spirits in the darkest of times. It’s a loving testament to humanity, the power of performance, and the desire to be loved even when all hope feels lost. If you’re looking for for some emotional devastation, Coward is a good stop to make.
L’AUTRE
A little off the beaten path, L’AUTRE (The Other) is – on the surface – a single setting thriller that dials up the mental breakdowns that can occur when you’re stuck in a hospital bed for weeks. Beneath its dark, creepy setting and blurring of reality is a seething critique of healthcare systems and othering, both themes and ideas that heavily contribute to our protagonists’ detireorating mental state. Sometimes it’s good to get a little weird amid a collection of sad dramas, and L’AUTRE is a great break and a film that is sure to stick with you long after the credits role. You may have to dig a little deeper into the TIFF slate to find it, but L’AUTRE is a dark, twisted and utlimately effective trip off the beaten path worth taking.
Wild Wild East
Mysteries abound are ever present in Wild Wild East, a western/WWII/thriller hybrid that uses its genre melding to create an enthralling, constantly revelatory series of events. Patience and cold (both in weather and how it unfolds) Wild Wild East sees a German officer arrive in a small village in occupied Poland in 1943. He has been tasked with locating a Jewish lawyer who has suddenly disappeared and may or may not have hidden a fortune. But very quickly after he arrives, it becomes clear that there is much more going in this snowy, remote village and the shaky alliances and very dark secrets begin to take shape the longer he pokes around. Wild Wild East is jam packed with intrigue and mystery, and not to give anything away – possesses one of the best endings you’ll see at TIFF. Make time for Wild Wild East.
Paradise Lost
Director Yeon Sang-ho is working overtime this year with his second feature Paradise Lost, a haunting tale of grief, technology and loss. It examines the profound effect of tragedy and trauma, exploring how much massive events can change people for the better, or worse. Paradise Lost begs the question: how well do we really know people? What happens if they return but are unrecognizable? It’s a fascinating look at how the past and present can collide and how grief can drive us to make bold, devastating choices. Paradise Lost deserves your time and is sure to leave you wanting to discuss when you leave the theater, which is exactly how I like my cinema!
Speed Round!
I would love to be able to highlight every single film individually, but there are so many I just won’t be able to get to them all. So here’s a quick speed round of some other hidden gems you should absolutely put on your radar. God Bless You Mr. Kopu is a quirky, solid thriller with an electric performance from Simon Rex. Nothing can prepare you for where this one goes, and it has a strong unexpected twist along with a poignant ending that will definitely sit with you.
Through the eyes of a child is a framework that is often prevalent at festivals, and both Children Untold and Ah Girl fit the bill for the genre. Both films uncover the follies of adults and interpret adulthood through children. Moving and culturally true to its Chinese and Japanese roots, both films sport powerful child performances and deeply moving stories about difficult experiences of children lost to the whims of adults and sometimes tragic surroundings.
I Am Mario delivers a touching trans story that smartly avoids the trauma exploitation pitfalls and tells a different side of trans living. Oustin Leon shines in his first feature film role, capturing the deconstruction of “macho” masculinity and really keeps you engaged with his life and struggles. Four Seasons in Java transports you to a rural village with a dark past and dark secrets that come to a head when Pertiwi returns to her hometown after spending years in prison. There’s a strong championing of misfits and discarded people from society who create a community of strength and belonging, and demonstrates that together you can find your place in the world and fight against forces that would otherwise destroy you.
Last but certainly not least is The Diary of A Chambermaid, another film from Radu Jude. He’s certainly an acquired taste as far as filmmakers go, but this may be him at his most straightforward and accessible while also him at his most angry. It’s also his sweetest and most empathetic, approaching his ire at Romanian politics with a little bit more of a softer touch. And its his shortest, coming in at just 90 minutes, a massive departure from his normal 2.5 hour standard. Dairy of a Chambermaid may be my favorite Jude film to date, and I’d argue that even if you’re out on him previously, you’d be well served to give this one a try at TIFF.
More to come of course as we continue to watch and cover more TIFF films! Which film are you most excited to check out?
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