As in previous years, the 51st Toronto International Film Festival featured an exciting array of must-see titles anticipated for the upcoming year.
Similar to past editions, the standout films appeared to align with a common theme. This year, the focus was on characters experiencing a psychic crisis: predominantly young individuals facing a bewildering and fragmented reality, feeling as though they don’t belong.
To help you explore these narratives filled with laughter and tears, we’ve curated a selection of the finest films showcased.
The Debut
Julianne Moore stars as Mona in The Debut. Directed by Jesse Eisenberg, this film is eccentric, unusual, and extraordinary. (NOC Productions Inc. LLC)
An eclectic mix of humor and absurdity, this story delves into self-improvement and self-destruction, akin to Taxi Driver for theater enthusiasts.
In essence, Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut promises to be both polarizing and entertaining. Featuring Julianne Moore as a hilariously inept community theater actress and Paul Giamatti as her mentor, blending elements of Whiplash and Dead Poets Society, the film’s quirky narrative style is complemented by Moore’s remarkable transformation in her role. You may either love it or despise it, but it’s definitely a film you shouldn’t overlook.
Club Kid
Jordan Firstman writes, directs, and stars in Club Kid, a film that showcases star performances from nearly every actor on screen. (A24)
Jordan Firstman’s debut feature feels remarkably polished. The narrative revolves around a disillusioned young man, Peter, who unexpectedly becomes responsible for a son, Arlo, whom he was unaware existed, creating the foundation for a compelling film. However, as the sentimental comedy-drama navigates typical “reluctant mentor” tropes, it unexpectedly veers into deeper territory.
The outcome is a showcase of talent from nearly all the performers, including Peter’s quirky roommate Nicky, portrayed by The Debut‘s supporting actor Eldar Isgandarov. This film may also bring you to tears.
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REVIEW
The Debut is totally going to win an Oscar
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REVIEW
Club Kid is one of TIFF’s best. It might make you cry
Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother
Mahershala Ali portrays the hesitant hitman Latif in Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. (Amazon MGM Studios)
Bassam Tariq’s unique perspective — evident in the film’s religious undertones and stunning cinematography — makes Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother stand out. Additionally, Mahershala Ali’s role as Latif, along with his co-stars, enhances its brilliance.
Latif, a hitman grappling with the loss of his wife and wavering faith, embarks on a chaotic journey to assist a wayward wealthy youth in surviving a week. The film presents an almost indescribable blend of styles and genres — including themes of birthdays, broken glass, joy, and sorrow — that is utterly captivating.
Julián
In the hand-drawn Canadian co-production Julián, a young boy grapples with his identity over a summer in Brooklyn. (Cartoon Salon/TIFF)
Upon arriving at his grandmother’s home in Brooklyn for the summer, Julián (Knyght Darius Jack), the protagonist of the hand-drawn Canadian co-production Julián, immediately feels out of place. A persistent sense of discomfort arises, suggesting resistance against his true self, the actions he wishes to take, and the things he is allowed to care about. This internal struggle intensifies as he attempts to join local girls in crafting glamorous mermaid costumes for an upcoming parade.
He faces an inexplicable societal pressure that continuously tells him he is wrong in pursuing his identity. The film reveals that the world becomes a better place when we challenge this narrative.
Iron Boy
Iron Boy tells the story of a young boy wearing an iron back brace while navigating a complicated family dynamic. (Sony Pictures Classics)
From the pen of Pixar animator Louis Clichy, who also features his son Gary in the lead role, Iron Boy presents another animated narrative about belonging. The story follows Christophe, a 10-year-old boy with a severe case of scoliosis, struggling to maintain balance in his life. He deals with conflicts with his controlling father, difficulties at school, and constant tumbles. Eventually, he is fitted with an iron back brace to prevent further chaos.
As expected, things don’t unfold as planned. The themes of unmet expectations, first crushes, and the journey to self-acceptance form a rich character study intertwined with magical realism. Its fully hand-drawn animation style is also a striking and beautiful visual experience.
Toy Gun Bandit
Félix Munger stars in Toy Gun Bandit as Félix, a French-Canadian teen whose legal troubles escalate dramatically. (Spécimen Productions)
Imagine if the infamous, exaggerated “Montana Meth Project” anti-drug commercials from the early 2000s were adapted into a feature film; Toy Gun Bandit delivers a message against robbing local gas stations.
Regrettably, our protagonist appears to have missed those cautionary ads. Instead, French-Canadian teen Félix consistently makes poor decisions, leading his legal situation to deteriorate dramatically in a modern cautionary tale reminiscent of Reefer Madness.
What prevents this eclectic and seemingly random plot from unraveling is Félix himself. First-time actor Félix Munger delivers a stunning performance as the attention-seeking title character, exuding an electrifying vulnerability. The film pairs excellently with TIFF’s other Canadian teen-on-the-run narrative, In Alaska, as both focus on character studies highlighted by exceptional young performances. With Munger in the forefront of Toy Gun Bandit, you will undoubtedly find yourself rooting for, and mourning, the bright future he builds only to see it unravel.
Sunburn
In Sunburn, director Serville Poblete showcases remarkable skill in capturing and conveying sensations and experiences. (MoreThan Films)
Like dynamic street photography, Sunburn renders the mundane captivating, with notable inspiration drawn from François Truffaut’s Small Change. The narrative is as intimate as it is subtle: a group of youths attempt to understand themselves and one another during a heatwave in Toronto’s St. James Town neighborhood.
Similar to TIFF’s other ensemble film featuring teens, La Gradiva, the underlying truth is there but not overtly tragic. What elevates Serville Poblete’s coming-of-age collage, despite its lighter tone, is his impressive talent for capturing and evoking sensory experiences.
The vivid portrayal of melting ice cream on a hot day, the sounds of laughter and sweat, and the excitement of bursting water balloons and youthful exuberance create an enchanting visual tapestry. Each joyfully authentic aspect of the world he evidently knows so well is presented in a dreamlike manner.
Eklipse
Set against the backdrop of a 1999 solar eclipse in the Tyrolean Alps, Eklipse is a slow and reflective triumph. (Eutopiafilm)
“What did I do to you?” Tomy asks his friend Chris — or the boy who was once his friend. As Eklipse meanders through Tree of Life-style visuals of trees, cattle, and mountains in the Tyrolean Alps, the two friends grow more and more distant. Tomy remains unaware of the reason.
However, the audience understands that Tomy’s father is suffering from AIDS, a terrifying and misunderstood illness in this rural 1990s setting — though Tomy remains uninformed. This tender, enigmatic film by Manuel Wetscher may not resonate with everyone: “Nothing even happens” could easily become a common critique.
Yet, if you enjoy unraveling a mystery, there are numerous poignant messages waiting to pierce your heart.
The Smell of Apples
The Smell of Apples, set in apartheid South Africa, presents a harrowing story of a child confronting the sins of his father. (Portobello Productions)
Speaking of heart-wrenching narratives, The Smell of Apples delivers an abundance of emotional depth. This portrayal of apartheid South Africa through the eyes of a white child grappling with his father’s transgressions could be interpreted as Zone of Interest refracted through a psychologically damaging coming-of-age tale.
Alternatively, it could be classified as a serious contender for the Academy Award for Best International Film, crafted with such intensity and skill that it would be a disservice to overlook. Or simply put, it is nothing short of remarkable.