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August 3 - August 10,2003 |
Natali among Canucks on the Rise
Toronto International Film Festival announces Canadian productions showcasing this year
By Angela Baldassarre
Originally Published: 2003-07-27
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Isabella Rossellini in The Sadest Music in the World
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There were many smiling faces at this week's press conference announcing the Canadian component of the Toronto International Film Festival. For months many of us Gary Burns fans (waydowntown, Kitchen Party) were concerned that his newest film, A Problem with Fear, would be making its world premiere at the Vancouver festival, where the Calgary-born director resides most of the time. But when the announcement was made that the film will actually be opening the Perspective Canada programme on September 5, the crowded room exploded in applause.
Indeed. In a market that's yielding more and more mediocre fare, Burns' name has popped up frequently as the Northern light that shines brightest when it comes to Canadian independent cinema. His quirky pictures - basically comedic insights into human social foibles - and terrific handling of performers has turned Burns into a critic's darling.
Italian-Canadian actor Paulo Costanzo plays Laurie Harding, a neurotic afraid of everything - elevators, crossing the street, etc. - so he agrees to be fitted with the Early Warning 2 Safe System Safe Bracelet that alerts him when there's danger. But the city is in the grips of a panic attack, and Laurie feels that he's the cause of it all. A Problem with Fear also stars Emily Hampshire and Benjamin Ratner.
With his 1997 film Cube, Italian-Canadian filmmaker Vincenzo Natali became a household name in Italy where the movie became a rental favourite. This year Natali is presenting the world premiere of his latest dark comedy, Nothing. David (David Hewlett) and Andrew (Andrew Miller) are frustrated roommates who are granted the ability to erase anything they hate, including bothersome neighbours and irritating bosses.
Deepa Mehta's The Republic of Love also makes its world premiere at the Festival, but in the Gala category. Based on the 1992 novel by Canadian author Carol Shields, who died last week, the story centres on a thrice-divorced late-night talk show host (Bruce Greenwood) who falls in love with his total opposite (Emila Fox). The high-profile cast includes Edward Fox, Claire Bloom and Martha Henry.
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