Tag: Toronto Film Festival

  • Deepa Mehta’s film on trangender woman creates buzz at Toronto fest

    By IANS

    TORONTO: Deepa Mehta’s documentary ‘I am Sirat’, which unravels the inner life of a Delhi-based transgender woman, has created a big buzz after its premiere at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) here. 

    Shot on smartphones, ‘I am Sirat’ explores the troubling and complex duality of her life.

    #IAmSirat is a MUST WATCH @TIFF_NET Thank you @IamDeepaMehta & Sirat for bringing this important and beautiful film to Toronto. pic.twitter.com/xVF02kEK8E
    — Anusree Roy (@i_write_allday) September 15, 2023
    Sirat has to suppress her inner urge to live like a woman so that her mother, and a married sister and extended relatives are not scandalized.

    As she was not willing to abandon her widowed mother as she was her only support, Sirat continues to live with her as her boy and rents a room to live out her real self as a trans woman.

    When her lip-synched Punjabi songs and dance reels posted on Instagram get her a big following, she was forced to remove them by her relatives.

    For this conflicted trans woman, the high point of her life arrives when she was granted her TG certificate by a government department, celebrating it by visiting India Gate with a friend and posing for pictures.

    In a post-screening discussion, Deepa Mehta said she and Sirat produced the documentary collaboratively.

    Deepa said when she was in Delhi in November Sirat came to meet her. “She said why don’t you make a film on what I am going through. It took me just a few days and I said: Let’s make the film.”

    The Toronto-based filmmaker added, “I told Sirat: It is your film. You’re the narrator. It has to be seen through your lens. You film yourself, you make the beginning, the middle and the end and I will film you filming yourself.”

    “I have known Sirat for four years now as we previously worked together on a film called Laila. Sirat is somebody who is fearless and yet is having a difficult time … having a dual existence. She is caught between her duty to her mother and (desire for) self-determination.This is what she is doing to this day. I have learnt so much from her.”

    For her part, Sirat – who now calls Deepa Mehta her mother – hoped that the documentary will help people and her mother accept her as a proud transgender woman.

    TORONTO: Deepa Mehta’s documentary ‘I am Sirat’, which unravels the inner life of a Delhi-based transgender woman, has created a big buzz after its premiere at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) here. 

    Shot on smartphones, ‘I am Sirat’ explores the troubling and complex duality of her life.

    googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    #IAmSirat is a MUST WATCH @TIFF_NET Thank you @IamDeepaMehta & Sirat for bringing this important and beautiful film to Toronto. pic.twitter.com/xVF02kEK8E
    — Anusree Roy (@i_write_allday) September 15, 2023
    Sirat has to suppress her inner urge to live like a woman so that her mother, and a married sister and extended relatives are not scandalized.

    As she was not willing to abandon her widowed mother as she was her only support, Sirat continues to live with her as her boy and rents a room to live out her real self as a trans woman.

    When her lip-synched Punjabi songs and dance reels posted on Instagram get her a big following, she was forced to remove them by her relatives.

    For this conflicted trans woman, the high point of her life arrives when she was granted her TG certificate by a government department, celebrating it by visiting India Gate with a friend and posing for pictures.

    In a post-screening discussion, Deepa Mehta said she and Sirat produced the documentary collaboratively.

    Deepa said when she was in Delhi in November Sirat came to meet her. “She said why don’t you make a film on what I am going through. It took me just a few days and I said: Let’s make the film.”

    The Toronto-based filmmaker added, “I told Sirat: It is your film. You’re the narrator. It has to be seen through your lens. You film yourself, you make the beginning, the middle and the end and I will film you filming yourself.”

    “I have known Sirat for four years now as we previously worked together on a film called Laila. Sirat is somebody who is fearless and yet is having a difficult time … having a dual existence. She is caught between her duty to her mother and (desire for) self-determination.This is what she is doing to this day. I have learnt so much from her.”

    For her part, Sirat – who now calls Deepa Mehta her mother – hoped that the documentary will help people and her mother accept her as a proud transgender woman.

  • Nicholas Cage’s ‘Dream Scenario’ to open at TIFF

    By Express News Service

    ‘Dream Scenario’, the upcoming film starring actor Nicholas Cage in the lead role, will open the Toronto Film Festival’s platform competition program alongside a world premiere. The film is helmed by Kristoffer Borgli who has previously made ‘Sick of Myself.’

    Apart from Nicholas, the film also stars Dylan Baker, Kate Berlant, Michael Cera, Dylan Gelula and Tim Meadows. It is attached to A24 studio.

    Speaking about the film, Robyn Citizen, the director of TIFF, was quoted as saying in a statement, “This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture — especially going viral — and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work.”

    A release date for the film is yet to be announced.

    ‘Dream Scenario’, the upcoming film starring actor Nicholas Cage in the lead role, will open the Toronto Film Festival’s platform competition program alongside a world premiere. The film is helmed by Kristoffer Borgli who has previously made ‘Sick of Myself.’

    Apart from Nicholas, the film also stars Dylan Baker, Kate Berlant, Michael Cera, Dylan Gelula and Tim Meadows. It is attached to A24 studio.

    Speaking about the film, Robyn Citizen, the director of TIFF, was quoted as saying in a statement, “This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture — especially going viral — and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    A release date for the film is yet to be announced.

  • Toronto film festival halted as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: The Toronto Film Festival, on Thursday, halted to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s death just before its 47th edition.

    As per The Hollywood Reporter, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, said in a statement on the festival’s Twitter account “We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her passing.”

    “As we prepare to welcome Canadians and international guests to the festival, we know that many will be deeply affected by her death. We keep her legacy in our memory,” Bailey added.

    The first day of the International film festival was just about to begin, complete with red carpets and Hollywood celebs who came to attend the festival.

    Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, paid tribute to the death of Queen Elizabeth II and stated that the country would hold a national day of mourning with commemorative service for the British Sovereign.

    “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I express our heartfelt condolences to members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time,” Trudeau said in a statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

    It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
    — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022

    Please read my full statement: https://t.co/sSk2HuzYXx
    — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
    The 47th Toronto International Film Festival began on September 8 and will premiere many artistic films for a span of 10 days.

    The wait is almost over. Join us September 8–18 to catch the brightest stars and see the buzziest films of the year at #TIFF22. Grab your tickets at https://t.co/8OWOF7O7CW. pic.twitter.com/oo6jTTDBk1
    — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 1, 2022
    Queen Elizabeth II, died peacefully at Balmoral castle aged 96, the royal family said in a statement. The UK’s longest-reigning monarch was placed under medical supervision earlier on Thursday after her condition deteriorated.

    Buckingham Palace issued a statement while referring to the Prince of Wales, Charles as the King.

    “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” the statement said. 

    A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
    — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022

    WASHINGTON: The Toronto Film Festival, on Thursday, halted to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s death just before its 47th edition.

    As per The Hollywood Reporter, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey, said in a statement on the festival’s Twitter account “We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her passing.”

    “As we prepare to welcome Canadians and international guests to the festival, we know that many will be deeply affected by her death. We keep her legacy in our memory,” Bailey added.

    The first day of the International film festival was just about to begin, complete with red carpets and Hollywood celebs who came to attend the festival.

    Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, paid tribute to the death of Queen Elizabeth II and stated that the country would hold a national day of mourning with commemorative service for the British Sovereign.

    “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I express our heartfelt condolences to members of the Royal Family during this most difficult time,” Trudeau said in a statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

    It was with the heaviest of hearts that we learned of the passing of Canada’s longest-reigning Sovereign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a constant presence in our lives – and her service to Canadians will forever remain an important part of our country’s history.
    — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022

    Please read my full statement: https://t.co/sSk2HuzYXx
    — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 8, 2022
    The 47th Toronto International Film Festival began on September 8 and will premiere many artistic films for a span of 10 days.

    The wait is almost over. Join us September 8–18 to catch the brightest stars and see the buzziest films of the year at #TIFF22. Grab your tickets at https://t.co/8OWOF7O7CW. pic.twitter.com/oo6jTTDBk1
    — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 1, 2022
    Queen Elizabeth II, died peacefully at Balmoral castle aged 96, the royal family said in a statement. The UK’s longest-reigning monarch was placed under medical supervision earlier on Thursday after her condition deteriorated.

    Buckingham Palace issued a statement while referring to the Prince of Wales, Charles as the King.

    “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world,” the statement said. 

    A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
    — The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022