Toronto 2014

Abstract

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2014 Although Toronto raised the stakes in the bloodsport of festival politics by saving its prime opening weekend slots only for world premieres, it's still early to tell if it can be kingmaker of the US awards season. Ironically, interest in the opening weekend haul of its 39th edition (4 - 14 September 2014) was muted, while films tipped as derby favourites had premiered elsewhere. In this game of give-and-take, a win for Toronto's ego can mean less exposure to important films. Away from Hollywood buzz, several directors returned with new works for the second year running: Peter Chan, Lav Diaz, Hong Sang-soo, Sono Sion, Johnnie To and Tsai Ming-liang (for Hong and Sono, it's their third year running). And for its sixth 'City to City' program, Toronto chose Seoul with eight titles spanning the genre variety that has sustained South Korean...