Competing for the Visions programs at TIFF, a category that rosters game-changing directors with films that U-turn from the predictable mainstream cinema, are two current players of the Philippine wave. Lav Diaz intertwines two distant tales about a struggling director’s pursuit of his masterpiece and a provincial cult leader smeared by his piety in Siglo ng Pagluluwal (Century of Birthing) which are intended to examine the roles artists play in the modern society, starring Angel Aquino and Joel Torre. Another Filipino entry, fresh from its Cinemalaya success is Isda (Fable of the Fish) by Adolfo Alix, Jr. which we wrote about after its U.P. screening.
Among these films are 16 more from other countries, namely the early favorite ALPS from Dogtooth director Yorgos Lanthimos and New French director Bertrand Bonello’s House of Tolerance. Diaz and Alix are joined by four other Asian directors in the provocative Visions: Japan’s Amir Naderi (Cut), Shinya Tsukamoto (KOTOKO) and Toshiaki Toyoda (Monster’s Club) plus Vimukthi Jayasundara (Mushrooms) from India. The festival is a ten-day affair heralding on September 8, 2011.
Filed under: Film Talk, Happening Now, Adolfo Alix Jr at TIFF, Adolfo Alix Jr. Isda (Fable of the Fish) TIFF, Isda (Fable of the Fish) Toronto Film Festival, Lav Diaz Century of Birthing TIFF, Lav Diaz Siglo ng Pagluluwal TIFF, Siglo ng Pagluluwal (Century of Birthing) Toronto Film Festival 2011
