July 17, 2008–Toronto International Film Festival has announced the addition of two Gala Presentations and three Special Presentations to the programming lineup for TIFF08, which runs September 4 through 13. These include films from critically acclaimed filmmakers Jonathan Demme, Richard Eyre and Ed Harris, and starring Liam Neeson, Anne Hathaway, Antonio Banderas, Laura Linney, Viggo Mortensen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jeremy Irons and Rene Zellweger.
For further ticket information, contact us online at tiff08.ca, by phone at 416-968-FILM or 1-877-968-FILM or in person at the Festival Box Office at Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West (main floor, north entrance). Box Office hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
GALA PRESENTATIONS
Rachel Getting Married
Jonathan Demme USA North American Premiere
When Kym (Anne Hathaway) returns to the Buchman family home for the wedding of her sister Rachel (Rosemarie DeWitt), she brings a long history of personal crisis and family conflict along with her. The wedding partys abundant cast of friends and relations has gathered for an idyllic weekend of feasting, music and love, but Kymwith her black-comic one-liners and knack for bombshell dramais a catalyst for long-simmering tensions in the family dynamic.
Filled with the rich and eclectic characters that have always been a hallmark of Jonathan Demmes films, Rachel Getting Married paints a strikingly perceptive and sometimes hilarious family portrait. Director Demme, first-time writer Jenny Lumet and the stellar acting ensemble leaven the drama of these difficult but compelling people with wry affection and generosity of spirit. Rachel Getting Married is a Sony Pictures Classics presentation and will be distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media.
The Other Man
Richard Eyre
UK/USA World Premiere
From the director of Notes on a Scandal comes this adaptation of a short story by Bernhard Schlink. The Other Man tells the story of Peter (Liam Neeson) who discovers that his wife Lisa (Laura Linney) has been receiving emails and mobile messages from Ralph (Antonio Banderas), a man he never knew existed. His obsession with this unknown rival escalates and, against the advice of his estranged daughter Abigail (Romola Garai), a hurt and vengeful Peter flies to Milan to seek out the mysterious Ralph and the truth about his relationship with Lisa. Directed by Richard Eyre (Iris), The Other Man is produced by Frank Doelger, Tracey Scoffield and Michael Dreyer. The Executive Producers are Mary Beth O'Connor and David Richenthal.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Appaloosa
Ed Harris USA World Premiere
Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Rene Zellweger and Jeremy Irons star in the Western Appaloosa, adapted from the Robert B. Parker novel. Set in the Old West territory of New Mexico, Appaloosa revolves around a pair of hired guns (Harris and Mortensen) who come to clean up a dangerous town run by a ruthless, powerful rancher (Irons) and his band of outlaws. While boldly bringing new order to the town, the two fearless lawmen meet a provocative outsider (Zellweger) whose unconventional ways threaten to destroy their decade-old bond. Appaloosa is co-written and directed by Ed Harris.
La Fille de Monaco
Anne Fontaine France North American Premiere
A brilliant and neurotic attorney (Fabrice Luchini) goes to Monaco to defend a famous criminal. But instead of focusing on the case, he falls for a beautiful she-devil (Louise Bourgoin), who turns him into a complete wreck. Hopefully, his zealous bodyguard (Roschdy Zem) will step in and put everything back in order… or will he La Fille de Monaco is directed by Anne Fontaine (Nouvelle chance, TIFF 2006 and Entre ses mains, TIFF 2005).
Ive Loved You So Long (Il y a longtemps que je t'aime)
Philippe Claudel France
North American Premiere
Coming off a hugely successful run in France, I've Loved You So Long is written and directed by acclaimed novelist/filmmaker Philippe Claudel. I've Loved You So Long is a film about the strength of women, and their capacity to shine forth, reconstruct themselves and be reborn. It is also a story about secrets, about confinement, and about the isolation we all share. For 15 years, Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) has had no ties with her family who had rejected her. Although life once violently separated them, her younger sister La (Elsa Zylberstein) takes Juliette into her home, which she shares with her husband Luc, her father-in-law, and their two daughters.
The Special Presentations programme is made possible through the generous sponsorship of
