First wave of TIFF 2012 films revealed

Another season for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is just around the corner, and the curators of the festival have revealed the first 60 films that made the cut into the Gala and Special Presentations selection at the festival this year. With that, we bring you some of our top choices thus far featuring many films made by Zoomers, starring Zoomer actors, that deal with some of the issues that come with growing older.

Quartet

Beloved actor Dustin Hoffman is making his directorial debut with this film about aging opera singers living together in a retirement home.

Dormant Beauty

Italy’s finest – Marco Bellocchio – brings us into the dark world of euthanasia with this, his response to the Eluana Englaro controversy.

Jayne Mansfield’s Car

Billy Bob Thornton returns to the director’s chair with this 1960’s look into the way two families from different backgrounds clash after being brought together through the death of a loved one.

Anna Karenina

Films based on novels seem to be popular this year at TIFF. This Leo Tolstoy adaptation boasts a stellar cast featuring Keira Knightley working again with her Atonement director Joe Wright.

The Company You Keep

Robert Redford’s latest film tells the story of an ex-radical activist who has been hiding out for five decades, and the young journalist who found him.

A Few Hours of Spring

As a man is just released from prison, he is forced to deal with his fatally ill mother’s wish to die with dignity. Directed by Stéphane Brizé.

Great Expectations

Another book adaptation with a prominent spot in the festival this year, this version boasts some of the best British talent (Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Sally Hawkins) bringing the ubiquitous Charles Dickens tale to life.

Love, Marilyn

This documentary on the beloved 50s bombshell intimately pieces together her life with never before seen letters, diaries and notebooks read by stars such as Maria Tomei, Uma Thurman, and Glenn Close.

Stand Up Guys

Two aging criminals decide to have one last night on the town when one is hired to kill the other. With a cast featuring Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin, this is sure to be a hit at the festival this year.

The Time Being

Nenad Cicin-Sain’s film features a dying millionaire who hires a struggling young artist for a series of bizarre commissions — but it quickly becomes unclear if he is trying to help or destroy the artist’s career.

 

Stay tuned for the rest of the film lineup announcements on August 8th, 2012.

 

Source: TIFF

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