TIFF'08 Day 2 - Friday September 5, 2008

Elgin Wintergarden Theatre

Here we are on Day 2! I had a bit of a light one with just 2 screenings as I didn't want to go crazy after attending Midnight Madness on opening night. Want to hear all about Day 2? Check out my Vlog for Day 2 here. Now, on to the films!

Dernier Maquis
Dir: Rabah Ameur-Azi'meche
Cast: Salim Ameur-Azi'meche, abel Jafri, Sylvain Roume, Christian Milia-Darmezin, Rabah Ameur-Azi'meche
France/Algeria

Reason to See: Photo in the program got me - piles and piles of stacked pallets being painted red.

Set in an industrial landscape in France, in a workpace of hundreds if not thousands of red pallets are shifted, fixed, stacked and shifted again. It is amazing how compelling I found just watching this, it felt like a ritual of some kind which ties into the narrative of the film surrounding ritual, religion and choice. One of the things I found most interesting was how the faith of the employees were intertwined with their relationships with their co-workers. Very strong performances by the all-male cast including scenes that have a wonderful calm sense of fellowship.



C'est pas moi, je le jure Director Philippe Falardeau (left), Cast member Antoine L'Écuyer (right)

C'est pas moi, je le jure!
Dir: Philippe Falardeau
Cast: Antoine L'Écuyer, Suzanne Clément, Daniel Brière, Gabriel Maillé, Catherine Faucher
Canada

Reason to see: This one was my sister Jamie's pick. She's got great taste - the film was amazing!

Fantastic film starring Antoine L'Écuyer as a troublemaking 10 year old set in 1968. This film has such a marvelous sense of curiousity and craziness as we see the main character get himself into such trouble. It also speaks to the concept of a 'normal' family - do you have one? Do you want one? Does everyone in your family have the same opinion of this? Are you willing to shape and form into normal or keep bending and breaking your way out of it. The film is beautiful on all levels, the cast does a phenomenal job bringing us into their world and along their journey. Touching as well as funny in dark and surprizing ways, C'est pas moi, je lu jure has been a huge highlight of the festival so far and may very well be my favourite film overall. Get out there and see it.


C'est pas moi, je le jure standing ovation - Antoine L'Écuyer


C'est pas moi, je le jure (left to right) Suzanne Clément , Daniel Brière, Director Philippe Falardeau, Antoine L'Écuyer

The Toronto International Film Festival 2008 runs from September 4-13/08 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.