Well, at least now we know that Colin would never lie to us.

Inside delivered on all fronts, making us laugh, flinch, scream, cheer and generally be glad we don't have a uterus (ok, maybe that last one was just me).

The crowd got into it early and often, amazing directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury from minute the first with the beachball antics.  I think a little piece of Julien's heart was broken when that sad, deflated beachball was thrown at his feet.  We spoiled a good thing just then, but it would be made up for.

Seriously, it's movies like Inside that bring a smile to my face when thinking of the future of cinema.  Not only that there are directors courageous enough to make such bold and original films, but that there are studios (albeit foreign ones) to give guys like this carte blanche and that there is a definite audience for their work, as we proved last night.

Sadly, Inside may not see a North American cinema, as early rumours have their deal being DVD only release pact.

I'm sure we can look to a half-hearted, slightly less thrilling, American remake starring Jennifer Love Hewitt or something, but that's just not the point.  The fact is, that we gave those guys a huge boost last night, and when they make that film that brings them worldwide fame and repute, our response to their incredible work will have been part of what moved them forward.

It was also the perfect way to cap this year's Madness.  I seriously think every film ended up being better than what played the night before.  This is especially amazing considering the electric response Argento got on Night One.

You guys deserve a huge round of applause for keeping this program running strong and for the fact that it gets better every year.  I heard many of you say that this was the best line-up in almost a decade, but great films are only half as good without a great reaction from the crowd, and that's the main thing the directors had to comment on after last night's rave-up at the Ryerson.

If you missed the Q&A, they claimed to have done everything they wanted to do with the film from day one, developing the characters they wanted and ending it how they saw fit.  Every shock and slice was authorized and they never held back.  That's what makes the Madness films the most daring of the fest, and particularly, that's what made Inside the best film we ran this year, in my personal opinion.

I wish there were another screening I could tell you to see, but alas, it's all over now.  So look for the DVD in coming months at Suspect Video, or Queen Video or your local indie rental house, and let Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury blow your mind.

As for me, I'm pretty much out.  Thanks for reading and for your input.  Also another huge shout out to my crew of friends and helping hands, particularly Colin Geddes, Chris Sanchez, Sanjay Rajput, Darryl Shaw and Suzie Maynard.

See y'all next year!

We were taught a great many lessons by Mastumoto last night in Dainipponjin, and I plan to outline just a few of them.  For anyone who missed out, you're just a plain chump.  I'm tired of being nice.  We've warned everyone how awesome these last few screenings are going to be, and by now you should just know to show up. 

Don't give me that, that's no excuse.

Dainipponjin taught us that the male nipple does have magical and practical uses.  So many years men felt empty because their nipples didn't serve any real purpose.  We dreamed of being able to use them, like women, to provide life.  We though 'hey, what if they served the common good and produced useful healthy fluids?  Like beer or motor oil?'  Now we know, they're essentially electrical outlets.  And baby's best not be messing with them.

We discovered the most effective defense mechanism this side of 'duck and cover'.  Baby or Die! is surely the most potent and handy finishing move that anyone can integrate into their self-defense scheme.  Perhaps that's what Michael Jackson was onto all those years ago.  I just severely doubt his baby would be capable of that kind of menace.  Lindsay Lohan's first born, however, might just be the one.

Dainipponjin also taught us that movies sometimes echo real life.  I can't remember how many times I've seen a giant superhero fight a big red baddie and thought to myself; this CG battle to save my city is entirely too far fetched.  Wouldn't it make more sense if everyone were in costumes, beating eachother up Disneyland style?

Finally, we learned that superpowers are hereditary.  If your Dad could grow into a giant crimefighter, then so can you.  This makes me wonder what Baby or Die's life will be like, not to mention its offspring.  It also gives me hope for the future because if I'm going to inherit my father's superpowers it means I'll very soon be awesome at driving really big trucks and growing moustaches.

Thank you Dainipponjin.  because of you, my future is brighter.

... some actual press.  My apologies to those who don't get tone, but my Sukiyaki Western Django round-up was entirely fictional.  Hard to believe that publications like "Japanese Western Quarterly", "Feathers of Fancy" and "Bow and Arrow! Magazine" don't exist, I know... but that's just the sad world we live in.

First off, the program itself continues to get nice over-arching summations in the mainstream press which, after 20 years, is a nice bit of recognition.  Time and Reuters both gave us nice little write-ups, which are presently getting copied and pasted into many mid-level publications throughout continental North America.

Pop Journalism did a tidy little review on Argento's Mother of Tears taking a fan's perspective instead of an entirely critical one, which is pretty much essential to having any appreciation of Argento.

The Onion AV Club Blog gave Stuck a glowing review.  I think we're all hoping that this review will lead to even more cornrows in the future of horror cinema.

Blog TO has been really good to the Madness program, really appreciating the films not only for what goes on-screen, but the atmosphere in the crowd that the lot of us try so hard to create.  Check out their reviews on Vexille (here) and Sukiyaki Western Django (here).

Finally, some kind words from Cinematical, praising Adam Mason's The Devil's Chair for Mason's ability to keep things fun and frightening while still flaunting a knowledge of the genre and the audience he's trying to reach.

We'll post some more press as it comes in, but for the time being, if you care what the pros think, there you have it.

Thanks to Salar Madadi for the photo of the world's most accomplished and decorated zombie journalist.

OK, maybe not ever, but Flash Point really delivered in the beat-down category.  Seriously, that last half-hour was totally rad. 

First off, here's the video from last night, courtesy of my own personal Jesus, Sanjay Rajput.  The Intro is above, the Q&A below.

Second, From the sounds of your reactions Donnie Yen is, in fact, the new black.  And, from the sounds of what Wilson Yip said about working with him he a) totally knows it and b) really loves that his job is to beat the holy hell out of everyone.

It's pretty refreshing that given all the years we've seen fight sequences get outright ridiculous with wire usage, that someone can still do incredible martial arts movies without relying on them.

I think at some point before that final run there may have been a story to follow, but after all that, it was pretty secondary to seeing a shootout and a punch-up on open farming land.

If anyone was so unfortunate to have missed it, I'll do my best to re-enact it right now:

punch punch kick kick kick punch punch kick punch kick kick kick punch kick kick punch punch punch punch kick kick kick punch punch kick grapple hold hold throw sail through the air thud.

I betcha that didn't do it justice.  Well for the rest of the action you may have missed, I think you'll just want to check out the next screenings today at 12:30 at Scotiabank 14, and just save me a lot of typing.

I pity the fools in the theatre nxt door if they think they'll be able to enjoy whatever it is they're watching while Flash Point drowns out with its awesomeness.

Rarely these days can people come to a wide consensus on anything.  Especially when it comes to critical thought, there are too many factors in play for discerning minds to completely agree on anything.  This is particularly true in film.

Too many elements go into filmmaking for every critic to agree on a film's merits and only three films in cinematic history have so captured hearts and minds alike:  Citizen Kane, Breathless and now... Sukiyaki Western Django!

The reviews have been pouring in all day and they are nothing short of astounding.

Hideki Kinetawa of Japanese Western Quarterly called Miike's film "a triumph.  For too long the fans and scholars in the Japanese Western Community have suffered with half-measures and sloppily made B pictures.  If Sukiyaki Western Django is not deemed the second coming of The Seven Samurai, I will protest in the ancient Yakuza way of cutting off my pinky finger and mailing it to the writer of the first poor review I read."

But that's not all.

William Horrace of the Canterbury Daily Shakespeare watch chimed in with the following:  "Not since Kurosawa's Ran has the bard so magnificently and lovingly been integrated into a Japanese work of cinematic art.  Truly, Miike understands the subtle nuances of Shakespeare, evidenced by the powerful yet understated reading of a scene from Henry VI halfway through the film.  Kick off your buskins and see this fantastic Shakespearean treat!"

Jason Burris of Feathers of Fancy, Canada's leading birdwatching publication said he "just couldn't get over the raw beauty and emotion of the opening egg scene with Quentin Tarantino." He added, "I think it was a Condor egg".

Troy Trotsky of Bow and Arrow! said that "Miike's dedication to weaponry and skill should be applauded.  Many films have made use of bows and/or arrows, but never before has one had the forethought to use it to kill one human being by shooting an arrow through another human being's gaping abdominal wound.  Bravo!"

These are just some of the clippings that were dropped on my desk this morning, but surely, combined with your enthusiastic reaction last night, it is not a stretch to predict that this film will win at least 15 Oscars this year.

If you missed last night's screening and don't want to regret the remainder of your time here on Earth, there are two more Sukiyaki Western Django screenings:  Tomorrow at 12:30, Varsity 8 and Friday at 9:30 p.m., Varsity 4.

Well, it's time to sing our daily hymn of praise to the good people at Bloody Disgusting for providing us with yet more exclusive footage and goodies.  They're really making it difficult for everyone in town to NOT want to see The Devil's Chair when they keep throwing treasures like the Mason blog and this 5-minute clip our way.

This from the exclusive Bloody Disgusting Review:

 ?Androids can?t behave irrationally.  It just doesn?t make any sense.?  Yet somehow, they did, and it was sooooo sweet.

 

The Madness got ratcheted up a notch last night with our screening of Sori?s Anime odyssey, Vexille.

 

This may have been the most tame of our programme in terms of gore, guts and creep factor- but it is the early odds-on favourite for the loudest film we?re going to show.  Colin said during the intro that this was a film he saw at Cannes and his biggest beef with it there that it needed to be bigger and louder.

 

Mission accomplished.

 

Sori?s exquisite images of a futuristic Japan populated almost exclusively by clones had some truly great action sequences and the characters just leapt off the screen.  Although one of the main action sequences was pretty much nicked directly from Star Wars, that didn?t cut the tension or stop the action- which started in the first five minutes and didn?t stop till the credits started rolling.

 

However, if you need one good reason to catch our next two Vexille screenings (Tuesday at noon, Scotiabank 14; Saturday at 11:30 p.m., Varsity 6) it?s easily the score.  Done by electronica god Paul Oakenfold, it amps the action up to manic levels.  At turns pumping and melodic, Oakenfold was able to write interesting and diverse pieces for each new sequence, whether it be driving acoustic guitars for a chase through the Tokyo suburbs or pounding rhythms for the film?s crucial action sequence through an off-shore tunnel.  Big sound really brings the brilliant score to life, so music fans should give it a look for the score alone.

 

Sadly, Sori couldn?t make it out last night, so there?s no audio or visual treats today, but look into that score.  You?ll be glad you did!

As TIFF begins today, the race to see as many provocative and varied films also begins.

The line up at this year's Reel To Reel program promises to be varied, challenging, and educational. One of the major focus in this year's documentary line up is that of the social and political atmosphere in several countries around the globe.

It will be interesting to see how the films such as Darfur Now, (Don Cheadle; one of the major activists in the area pictured here)Rebellion: the Litvinenko Case, Very Young Girls and Iron Ladies of Liberia are received.  These documentaries deal with murder and rape in an African nation, the killing of a former KGB agent, child prostitution and women in politics, respectively.  I am very excited to have the opportunity to cover these along with several other films.

Let us not forget that Doc Talks are now open to the public and the list is impressive, to say the least.   BIOGRAPHY: Complicated Lives is one of four.

Whatever films you choose, your experience will be unlike anyone else's.  We look forward to your comments about the documentaries we report on, as well as others you may get to see.

See you in the line ups!

After a very long night, morning breaks on DAY 4 of TIFF07. After an emotional screening of Heavy Metal in Baghdad everyone got their party on and now, we're all feeling the effects.  Today is a packed day of premieres for Canadian movies, including John Zaritsky's beautiful documentary The Wild Horse Redemption.

A gorgeous and hopeful film this is going to be another moving screening.

But in addition to that, we also have the premiere of director Roger Spottiswoode's gripping Shake Hands with the Devil. It's a familair story to many Canadians because of the book written by Lieutenant General Roméo Dallaire and the amazing documentary based on the book by Peter Raymont. But this is the version of the story we've never seen, more a recreation than a recollection, this is an urgent and vital film as the international community faces a similar crisis to the 1994 Rwandan genocide in Darfur. At the heart of the movie is one of the best performances of the year by Roy Dupuis, who does the impossible and transforms into Dallaire, capturing the soul of a Canadian hero.  It's a career defining performance by one of our greatest actors.

And if that wasn't enough we've got the premiere of Laurie Lynd's delightful comedy, Breakfast with Scot A controverserial movie in its own right, it follows the lives of a gay couple who must integrate a flamboyant boy into their lives. Great performances throughout, but especially by the young actor Noah Bernett (pictured with Tom Cavanaugh Ben Shenkman).

And just when you thought we'd be done with premieres today, we have another one, Chaz Thorne's dark, occasionally bloody, but very funny comedy, Just Buried.  Does it get any funnier than an awkward guy taking over a funeral home and doing his best to dig up some business - even if that means some people have to die along the way?  For my money, no it doesn't.  That's Jay Baruchel and Rose Byrne pictured.  This movie is a great way to cap the busiest day of the festival for the Canadians. 

See you on DAY 5!

The good folks at Bloody Disgusting have really outdone themselves this time! They're running a package of publicity and reviews surrounding our upcoming screening of Devil's Chair on Wednesday night.

They've got a bunch of material from director Adam Mason, including an ongoing blog and a Podcast with co-writer Simon Boyes. Do give it a look, as it's always great to hear about the films directly from their makers and this one looks like it'll slay (sorry, really sorry 'bout that pun).

In addition to the bonus materials, they do a daily review of the Madness screenings, including one from last night's screening, Frontiere(s), so check in regularly to partake in the goodies!

 

 

What can we say...

The shorts are the festival within a festival, offering the most diverse, exciting and risk taking films for audiences willing to explore the shorter side of TIFF.

Few have said it better than Bruce Kirkland in his Toronto Sun review on Sept. 4 "That is the beauty of the short form. And, I say bravely, they show where the future of Canadian cinema resides. "

Xtra! continues with shout outs to many of our Short Cuts filmmakers -Claudia Morgado Escanilla, Kent Monkman,Cassandra Nicolaou, Greg Atkins, Britt Randle, AJ Bond.

"Queer Canadian filmmaking is exploding, with a plethora of artists making innovative, thought-provoking and humourous films. Luckily, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has picked up on the trend and is recognizing the range and quality of work out there by showcasing talent from across the country, from Kent Monkman in Toronto to Claudia Morgado Escanilla in Vancouver.

Short films are an art form unto themselves and these works, almost all of which are in the Short Cuts Canada programs, are great examples."

The reviews keep coming.  For easy access, check out today's Metro Toronto magazine and Chris Atchison's short film selections.

Also, in the new issue of Eye Magazine, Adam Nayman give his picks of each programme.  One thing remains clear about this year's Short Cuts films  - there's something for everyone. 

There's also a great spotlight on two directors in the Short Cuts Canada programme in Canadian Immigrant.  Learn more about Raha Shirazi (Four Walls) and Claudia Morgada Escanilla (No Bikini), as well as Clement Virgo, part of the Canadian Features Program with Poor Boy's Game.
 

As TIFF begins today, the race to see as many provocative and varied films also begins.

The line up at this year's Reel To Reel program promises to be varied, challenging, and educational. One of the major focus in this year's documentary line up is that of the social and political atmosphere in several countries around the globe.

It will be interesting to see how the films such as Darfur Now, (Don Cheadle; one of the major activists in the area pictured here)Rebellion: the Litvinenko Case, Very Young Girls and Iron Ladies of Liberia are received.  These documentaries deal with murder and rape in an African nation, the killing of a former KGB agent, child prostitution and women in politics, respectively.  I am very excited to have the opportunity to cover these along with several other films.

Let us not forget that Doc Talks are now open to the public and the list is impressive, to say the least.   BIOGRAPHY: Complicated Lives is one of four.

Whatever films you choose, your experience will be unlike anyone else's.  We look forward to your comments about the documentaries we report on, as well as others you may get to see.

See you in the line ups!

Catch these excellent shorts prior to some of the Canadian feature films screening throughout TIFF.

CANADIAN SHIELD
Dir. Simon Ennis | English | 6 mins.
A Mountie discovers the red serge isn?t all it?s cracked up to be while stationed in the northern wilderness. Steeped in satire, this comedic period piece follows our noble hero as he searches for existential fulfillment... and his trusty steed.
Screens with HEAVY METAL IN BAGHDAD

GOD PROVIDES
Dir. Brian M. Cassidy, Melanie Shatzky | English | 9 mins.
In this documentary portrait of the American South, expressions of faith unfold in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In a focused yet unassuming manner, Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky capture compelling impressions of those left to recover from what is described as an act of god.
Screens with WILD HORSE REDEMPTION

A CURE FOR TERMINAL LONELINESS
Dir. Samir Rehem | English | 7 mins.
An isolated textbook writer struggles with a bad case of loneliness as he tries to complete an assignment. In a pallid, post-millennial world where the government imposes regulations to fight a mass epidemic of isolation, our protagonist finds solace in the companionship of a sympathetic neighbour.
Screens with THEY WAIT

HYMN TO PAN
Dir. Francois Miron | English | 5 mins.
François Miron has been crafting experimental shorts with a distinctive, meticulous touch for over two decades. In this first part of a triptych, he offers a celebration of the Aleister Crowley poem ?Hymn to Pan? through a kinetic assault of dancing cinematography and fast-paced cuts. The result is a mesmerizing ode to an expressive camera movement.
Screens with LE CEDRE PENCHE

I'VE NEVER HAD SEX...
Dir. Robert Kennedy | English | 2 mins.
I?ve never had sex in a movie theatre. No, wait?. Playful truth-telling ensues when responses to this revealing adult-themed game are captured and wittily edited on a mobile phone. Filmmaker Robert Kennedy leads the candid interrogation of willing participants with a vérité approach. Play along if you dare.
Screens with YOUNG PEOPLE FUCKING

NO BIKINI
Dir. Claudia Morgado Escanilla | English | 8 mins.
?I had a sex change once, when I was six or seven years old.? The opening line of No Bikini introduces us to a young girl who defies convention during her summer swim class. Filled with humour, this film is less about defining one?s gender than it is about discov-ering personal strength.
Screens with BREAKFAST WITH SCOT

PARADISE
Dir. Jesse Rosensweet | English | 8 mins.
In this follow-up to The Stone of Folly, Jesse Rosensweet creates a fifties-era diorama to tell a tale of adultery and power. John and Jane are stuck in ruts ? literally, in the grooves of an antique automaton, but also figuratively. When Jane becomes restless and John puts in more overtime at work, this comical stop-motion animated film leads to a surprising conclusion.
Screens with JUST BURIED

Check the TIFF07.ca Film Schedule listing for up to date screening times and locations.

Film briefs written by the Short Cuts Canada programming team: Agata Smoluch Del Sorbo, Alex Rogalski and Jay Dart.

Six Short Cuts Canada films are now available to view online.  Check out some great Canadian short films, from a charming hand-drawn animated tale, BOAR ATTACK, to a satiric comedy about a Mountie in search of his lost horse, THE CANADIAN SHIELD.
 
Click here to watch! (click Short Cuts Canada Films)

The buzz is building for Midnight Madness ?07, which is now just one thrilling day away!  There?s been lots of name-dropping and anticipation going around in the press and online.  Here?s a tasty little sample platter of what people have been saying.

 

Christopher Bales has been raving about the line-up in The Toronto Star and on his blog Crunchy Squirrel goes to Toronto.  He listed Diary of the Dead AND Dainipponjin among his three top picks for this year.  He also gave us all a big compliment on his blog, in regards to the benefit of partaking in the madness, especially for Romero and Argento this year:  ?Sure, both will get a theatrical release somewhere down the line, but why pass up the chance to see them with one of the most exciting crowds in the world??

 

TIFF?s own Noah Cowen also said in The Star:  "Argento is about as good as horror gets for a Baroque freak like me."

 

Zed Sounds gave the fest, and the madness itself a nice merit badge for our devotion to zombies, asking the question ?Is Toronto the new zombie Mecca??  (pssst? The answer is yes!)

 

Carla MacDonald from the Our Lady of Perpetual Hell blog sang the praises of Stuck in The Star:  "There is nothing better than gruesomely pitch-black comedies and I think that, in Gordon's hands, that's exactly what this story could be."

 

Also, from the blog iself:  ?Throughout his filmography, you will find that Stuart Gordon has a deft hand when it comes to finding the blacker-than-black comic side of a gruesome story. His films are what you could call transgressive?just a step beyond where other filmmakers might draw the line, y?know??

 

More on Diary of the Dead from USA Today?s Susan Wloszczyna:  "A master of horror returns to his indie roots and recharges his zombie engines, imagining a 21st-century outbreak of flesh-munchers."

 

The good folks at Bloody-Disgusting.com called The Devil?s Chair ?freakin? awesome?.  More on the film?s creep-factor from their detailed review:  ?The tone of the film is extremely unnerving and quite creepy. The way some sequences are shot will make your skin crawl. In some sequences the film is also bloody and violent as all hell. What?s so impressive in these scenes are how impactful they are without even showing some of the actual gore ? sometimes what you imagine is much worse.?

 

Reaching back a bit, Twitch Film gave Vexille a glowing review:  Vexille is a film that does an awful lot of things very, very well. It is an action spectacle that is, indeed, spectacular; a film that underpins its entertainment with high minded concepts and serious concerns that will ensure it remains engaging and challenging for quite some time. Eye candy it may be but these are no empty calories.

 

Walter at the Quiet Bubble blog is taking September 11 off ?to unwind before Takashi Miike?s midnight movie knocks my pants off.?  Walter's September 12, to-do list:  buy new slacks, bask in the awesomeness that will be Sukiyaki Western Django.

 

Meanwhile The In-Between has Flash Point at the top of the list not only for madness films to see, but for the whole festival.  All of it!

 

We?re listening to what you?re saying.  So keep on saying it and check in here for frequent and awesome updates as the madness rolls on

[Picture: Image courtesy of askapril.com.]

Click these links quick because they may turn into pay per views in the next couple weeks. Early previews of the Festival are starting to begin. Time magazine's dedicated cineaste Richard Corliss offers up his top ten titles to watch out for, including the doc Body of War. Roger Ebert jokes that he feels paralyzed looking at the new TIFF catalogue - the biggest ever - and all its offerings. The Toronto Star publishes its annual survey by Peter Howell of film insiders picking the most "buzz-worthy" films including the docs The Dictator Hunter, Encounters at the End of the World, Iron Ladies of Liberia, A Jihad for Love, Joy Division, Lou Reed's Berlin, Man From Plains, My Winnipeg, Terror's Advocate, and Useless.

Meanwhile, in The Globe and Mail, Simon Houpt writes about the Festival's extensive programming staff (pictured). Every year our team puts their feet on every continent to discover new work. No other festival in the world equals that outreach. For me to represent that group from my base in New York City is an honor. And during my summers in Toronto, an honour.

Photo: (Philip Cheung/For The Globe and Mail)

Michaelle McLean oversees the Toronto Documentary Forum, an annual spring event at Hot Docs where doc makers pitch their projects to broadcasters in front of an audience. It resembles a game show, but it's become an effective means for filmmakers to navigate the complex world of international co-productions. From her vantage point, McLean tracks docs long before they're finished. Here are her picks for docs at TIFF this year:

Yahoo, I'll be in town for almost all of TIFF for the first time in several years so looking forward to taking it in, especially (bien sûr) Thom's doc programming.   It all looks great but must I admit a special eagerness to see the four that were pitched at the Toronto Doc Forum last year -- yeah OK, I'm a bit biased. CHILDREN OF THE SUN (pictured) by Ran Tal -- the kibbutz is iconic as real live social experiments go and here's the chance to hear from the original insiders; THE DICTATOR HUNTER by Klaartje Quirijns because I want to know what makes this man tick;  A JIHAD FOR LOVE by Parvez Sharma in the USA -- what a long brave journey Parvez has been on;  and A PROMISE TO THE DEAD: THE EXILE JOURNEY OF ARIEL DORFMAN  by Canadian Peter Raymont -- who wouldn't want to see his follow-up to "Shake Hands With the Devil." 

Really glad to see the inclusion of three of the films in The Democracy Project too since I'm so impressed by this initiative in which commissioning editors from broadcasters around the globe, (notably Nick Fraser of the BBC and Mette Hoffmann now of DR), have been working together on a mini-series about probably the most important topic in the west today.  I'll definitely be at the Why Democracy Doc Talk for the voluble and witty Mister Fraser, and oh look there's my excellent colleague Sean Farnel moderating the Doc Talk Covering War -- good choice and I'm sure he's not at all intimidated by moderating the talk show king. Oy, I'm exhausted already and TIFF hasn't started yet.

There will be more opportunities than ever to see Canadian Short Films at TIFF this year.
 
In addition to regular screenings throughout the 32nd edition of the Festival, a selection of twelve Canadian short films will be available to view on viewing stations at the Drake Hotel, 1150 Queen Street West, Toronto.  Drop in and see a short or two or five!
 
Also, for the first time, a selection of Short Cuts Canada films will be available to view online at tiff07.ca starting on September 4th.  The six films that will appear on our website are: BUMBLEBEE, THE CANADIAN SHIELD, BOAR ATTACK, TIC TAC TOE, FRACAS and I HAVE SEEN THE FUTURE.

Sean Farnel was my esteemed predecessor as TIFF's doc programmer through the 2005 festival. Since then, he's been programming the Hot Docs festival in the spring. Last year he was out of town for most of TIFF. So this will be his first time enjoying the fest as a civilian. I asked him what he anticipates.

FARNEL: Of course I'm looking forward to seeing much of the doc programme (well, the ones I can squeeze in between Galas), but let me put in a little plug for a few of my Canadian compatriots, directors Guy Maddin (MY WINNIPEG), Peter Raymont (A PROMISE TO THE DEAD: THE EXILE JOURNEY OF ARIEL DORFMAN) and John Zaritsky (THE WILD HORSE REDEMPTION). You may be familiar with Peter, whose previous film SHAKE HANDS WITH THE DEVIL had an extensive festival run (I think it won an Audience Award at Sundance);  and this is John's second feature doc this year (he's too prolific, somebody stop him), following THE SUICIDE TOURIST which premiered at Hot Docs in April. As for Maddin, if I were to only see one film at TIFF, it would be MY WINNIPEG (pictured), though I'll be very disappointed if there's no mention of the now defunct Winnipeg Jets.

I like that Thom has opened up TIFF's Doc Talks to the public this year. The Q&A's at documentary screenings are generally quite vigorous and seemingly always too short, so obviously there's an appetite among the public audience for more extensive discussion about the films and the ideas they encompass. I'll be moderating the "Covering War" panel featuring Michael Tucker (GUNNER PALACE), who'll be showing clips from a new work-in-progress (THE BULLET-PROOF SALESMAN). But, as the panel already features an iconic moderator, Phil Donahue, I'm a bit nervous. Phil and Ellen Spiro co-directed one of the docs, BODY OF WAR, featured in the impressive Real To Reel slate.

Nick Fraser is consistently one of the most entertaining speakers in the doc industry. I think of him as the Christopher Hitchens of the doc circuit, a whip-smart, natural born contrarian. His Doc Talk about the Why Democracy? project should provide interesting insight into both the business and the politics of a hugely ambitious, labourius and sometimes contentious commissioning project.

SHORT CUTS 5:
Identity struggles, relationships on the rocks
and a decent into madness

BURGEON AND FADE
Dir. Audrey Cummings | English | 14 mins.
A middle-aged widow feels her attractiveness fading when confronted with her teenaged daughter?s burgeoning beauty. Tensions come to a head at a friend?s party when a man?s attention swings in both of their directions. Self-worth and aging are bravely confronted in this sensitive story about the importance of family and what truly matters.

THE COLONY
Dir. Jeff Barnaby | English | 24 mins.
Following his award-winning film, From Cherry English, Jeff Barnaby?s second short is a gritty depiction of deception, desolation and decay. Born of an imaginative script and proficiently executed, this powerful film witnesses cockroaches and chainsaws wreak havoc during one man?s descent into madness.

CONGRATULATIONS DAISY GRAHAM
Dir. Cassandra Nicolaou | English | 15 mins.
It is a difficult day for seventy-year-old Daisy Graham. She is faced with the deteriorating health of her partner, constantly reminded of the upcoming ceremony in her honour, and ? to boot ? she is unable to procure bullets for her rifle. Striking recollections and subtle tone imbue this complex and original story about an aging couple?s love.

DIAMONDS IN A BUCKET
Dir. Sherry White | English | 21 mins.
Harold and Vivian begin a relationship that is flawed from the start: they see what they want in each other, rather than what really exists. Harold?s daughter provides a caustic but honest voice in this slice of life from the Rock.

FRACAS
Dir. Eduardo Menz | English | 5 mins.
The juxtaposition of children?s school portraits with the anxious voices of an elementary spelling bee reveals a haunting reality of innocence that has vanished. In this experimental documentary, Eduardo Menz repurposes found images with great effect to create an emotionally compelling montage that lingers long after the film ends.

TEENAGE GIRL
Dir. Greg Atkins | English | 16 mins.
Forty-year-old Lucas wakes each morning not knowing who he will be ? his middle-aged self or an apathetic teenaged girl. His two personalities spend their days together in an idle power struggle. The spaces of Greg Atkins?s short film are suffused with clues and illusory scenes, all providing guideposts in this intriguingly stylish contemplation of identity.

TIC TAC TOE
Dir. Matthew Swanson | No dialogue | 2 mins.
When faced with making any important decision, you can always turn to one surefire method: a good old-fashioned game of tic tac toe! Our protagonist?s high-stakes match turns ugly, however, in this sharp, amusing and innovative short film shot entirely on a mobile phone.

Film briefs written by the Short Cuts Canada programming team: Agata Smoluch Del Sorbo, Alex Rogalski and Jay Dart.

Jonathan Rosenbaum is one of the most thoughtful film critics writing today. If want to read a penetrating essay on documentary, look to his pieces on "Crumb" in the book Movies as Politics; or "Fast, Cheap & Out of Control" in  Essential Cinema: On the Necessity of Film Canons, among his other writings. Here he responds to our poll of doc aficianados identifying three titles that he anticipates in TIFF's 07 doc line-up.

1) USELESS (because I'm interested in everything Jia Zhangke does)

2) MAN OF CINEMA: PIERRE RISSIENT  (because I've known Rissient for over 30 years)

3) CHRONIQUE D'UN ETE (because, along with POUR LA SUITE DU MONDE, it's one of the greatest of all documentaries)

His third choice ("Chronicle of a Summer") is the 1961 classic playing in the Canadian retrospective section on Michel Brault, who served as a cameraman on the film.