Hollywood’s biggest stars will be at the Toronto Film Festival starting this Thursday, with a host of Oscar-nominated films and current affairs documentaries.
North America’s most important festival is back with all its glitz and glamour, after last year’s edition was marred by the double strike of actors and scriptwriters.
On this occasion, Jennifer Lopez, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Salma Hayek, Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman will be present in Canada’s largest city.
“We’re happy to have a festival without the limitations of last year,” Cameron Bailey, general manager of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), told AFP.
Ben Stiller debuts Thursday with the family comedy “Nutcracker,” his first film in seven years, about a Chicago real estate developer who must move to Ohio to raise his four nephews when tragedy strikes his sister’s family.
Ron Howard’s “Eden,” a survival film set in the Galapagos Islands and starring Ana de Armas and Sydney Sweeney, is another of the most anticipated world premieres.
Angelina Jolie will present her latest work as a director: “Bloodless,” a story of family and revenge set in the early 20th century starring Salma Hayek.
In total, 278 films will be screened.
– Lots of music –
Elton John and Bruce Springsteen will also be in attendance to present new documentaries about their careers.
Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Paul Anka and singer, producer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams will also be performing.
Other documentaries to be screened include “The Last Republican,” about former Republican U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger and his break with his own party, and “Men of War,” about a madcap attempt to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in 2020.
Along with Venice in Italy and Telluride in the United States, TIFF is part of a series of festivals that present previews of films that experts and producers say have a good chance of winning the Oscar.
The festival features films aimed at a wide audience, such as “The Nutcracker” and “The Wild Robot,” the latest from DreamWorks Animation.
TIFF runs through Sept. 15, when the People’s Choice Awards, considered an early indicator of the Oscars, are presented.
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