In part two of our TIFF 2011 preview, Brian McKechnie takes a look at i am a good person / i am a bad person, Amy George, and The Cat Vanishes. Check back over the next few days for more previews of films playing at TIFF 2011.
i am a good person / i am a bad person * Criticize This! TIFF Pick *
Vanguard
Director: Ingrid Veninger
At last year’s TIFF Ingrid Veninger grabbed my attention with her soulful film MODRA. This year she has blown me away with the humourous and emotionally raw i am a good person / i am a bad person. The story follows Canadian filmmaker Ruby White (Veninger) as she goes on a festival tour overseas with her daughter Sara (played by MODRA’s Hallie Switzer, Veninger’s real-life daughter). From empty theatres to drunken drama, it’s one of the best portraits of an artist trying to cut it while keeping their family life in check. It resonated strongly with me and is a definite must-see at TIFF.
Rating: **** (out of 5 stars)
Showing
September 10 at 7:15 p.m. at AMC
September 13 at 12:30 p.m. at the TIFF Bell Lightbox
September 17 at 8:45 p.m. at the TIFF Bell Lightbox
The Cat Vanishes
City to City
Director: Carlos Sorin
The Cat Vanishes is an extremely slow and boring film about a couple trying to reconnect after the man is released from a mental hospital. Is he still sick? Has he killed the family cat that has mysteriously gone missing since his return? Those are the questions we are supposed to ponder, but since the film is done in such a cold manner I never once connected with it or cared about any of the characters in the slightest.
Rating: ** (out of 5 stars)
Showing
September 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Scotiabank
September 11 at 12 p.m. at the AMC
September 18 at 9:30 p.m. at the Scotiabank
Amy George * Criticize This! TIFF Pick *
Canada First!
Directors: Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas
Do you remember what it was like to be 13? It’s a terrible time. Everything from your body to the way you see the world begins to change and you never feel content with anything. Amy George captures that feeling perfectly by way of Jesse (Gabriel del Castillo Mullally), a smart, artsy, Toronto-area kid trying to find his place among his friends and family. Brilliant performances mixed with stunning cinematography and solid direction puts Amy George near the top of my list of standouts at this year’s festival.
Rating: **** (out of 5 stars)
Showing
September 13 at 6 p.m. at the AMC
September 15 at 9:15 p.m. at the AMC
September 17 at 12:30 p.m. at the AMC
TIFF 2011 runs from September 8 – 18. For more information, visit tiff.net.
Top image: A scene from i am a good person / i am a bad person. Courtesy TIFF.
