TIFF 2014: 4 buzz-worthy films at the fest
With little more than two weeks until the 39th Toronto International Film Festival, some movies are already separating themselves from the pack.
Organizers revealed the full list Tuesday of expected films and filmmakers slated to appear, and with nearly 285 feature films on the roster, it reads like a who's-who of Hollywood and world cinema.
TIFF's artistic director, Cameron Bailey, headed a team of programmers selecting this year's titles. After seeing so many films in the process, Bailey says it's difficult to predict which one will catch fire with audiences and critics:
"If I had talked to you this time a few years ago, I would not necessarily have been able to tell you that Slumdog Millionaire would be the one that everybody else jumped on. But our audience really decided that for us and then, of course, it went on to huge success – the same with The Artist and many other films."
Oscar expectations are already swirling around Foxcatcher.
The based-in-real-life drama stars Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo as Olympic wrestling brothers who get tangled up with a neurotic millionaire played by Steve Carell. The film has already earned Bennett Miller the Best Director prize at Cannes.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the much talked about Alan Turing biopic The Imitation Game, and his portrayal of the legendary British code breaker and mathematician is generating talk of a Best Actor nod at this year's Academy Awards.
Bailey also gives special mention to Lone Scherfig's The Riot Club and Noah Baumbach's While We're Young but he warns about picking favourites with awards season being so far off.
"It's a long time until December, January and February when stuff is decided. But I know which ones I love, and I have to wait and see what everybody else loves too."
Learn more about Bailey's buzzed about movies in the attached video.
The Toronto International Film Festival runs Sept. 4-14.
