We noted the limited presence of the Canadian film chapter when the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) honoured Denis Villeneuve with the TIFF Ebert Director Award. Polytechnique and Incendies had brief visual mentions. The emphasis has been on Villeneuve's non-Canadian films.
The Uncanny Vision of Denis Villeneuve — the new TIFF tribute — features 2 of his newer titles: Arrival and Enemy. The tribute also features films that had an influence on Villeneuve: Lawrence of Arabia; The Last Temptation of Christ; and Le Mystère Picasso.
Did TIFF forget his Canadian film past? Actually, there is one Canadian film in the tribute.
August 32nd on Earth | Un 32 août sur terre is included in the TIFF tribute to Denis Villeneuve. The film stars Pascale Bussières and Alexis Martin.
The 1998 film was one of 3 Villeneuve films submitted to the Academy Awards in what was then the Best Foreign Language Film.
Maelström and Incendies were also submitted. Villeneuve was one of several directors on Cosmos, also submitted for an Oscar.
TIFF will show the classic Denis Villeneuve Canadian film this Friday, October 22, at 6:15 pm at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in downtown Toronto.
Your humble narrator was quite fortunate to be able to watch the film. Seeing this film in a theatre with other Canadian film enthusiasts would be a joy.
You may not be ready to watch a film in a theatre. I did check to see if there was a virtual showing. Alas, there was not a virtual showing. You do have to follow TIFF protocol to be able to see this film at the Bell Lightbox.
Still, this is clearly a rare screening in Canada, especially English Canada, of this great Denis Villeneuve film.
Canadian film review: August 32nd on Earth
Canadian film review: Maelstrom
Canadian film review: Polytechnique
Oscar nomination should help people find Denis Villeneuve Quebec films
Ryan Gosling, Denis Villeneuve get Oscar nominations
As we noted numerous times, classic Canadian films should not be this difficult to find. Canadians should have more of an awareness of its film history. If we are to celebrate Denis Villeneuve, then let's celebrate all of his work.
2021 TIFF wrapup
Top 10 Canadian films I still want to see
CanadianCrossing.com film coverage
The Bell Lightbox is at the corner of King Street and John Street just west of the St. Andrew subway stop in downtown Toronto.
photos credit and video credit: TIFF
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