TIFF ‘23: A Humorous Look at Activism in ‘A Difficult Year’

By Abe Friedtanzer

Courtesy of TIFF

There are many things to be angry about in today’s world, including the inaction by governments around crucial issues. Activism takes many forms and often has specific aims, but the goals of a protest movement can also be wildly unattainable. The very funny A Difficult Year pokes fun at that notion with its story of two opportunists who become involved with an anti-commercialization group for all the wrong reasons...

Click to read more ...

TIFF: Noémie Merlant in ‘Baby Ruby’

By Abe Friedtanzer

 

It’s only been a few years since Portrait of a Lady on Fire, that visually stunning and deeply engaging French romance starring Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant. The latter had a starring role in a low-key film that showed at AFI Fest in 2020, Jumbo, and she’s sure to become even more well-known with Tár which next shows at the New York Film Festival ahead of its October release. But Merlant is in Toronto this week to debut another film, which marks her second English-language role, the parental horror film Baby Ruby… 

Click to read more ...

Five Reasons to Watch "Portrait of a Lady on Fire" Immediately

by Murtada Elfadl

A movie event of the highest order is a click away, at least for those of us in the US. 

#1 Portrait of a Lady on Fire is now streaming on Hulu. You can watch right this very second if you want.

#2 There’s a lot of choices on streaming but this gives you the chance to swoon as you watch. Gorgeously shot, Portrait is a romance between an artist (Noémie Merlant) and her subject (Adèle Haenel) set in late 18th century France, that smolders with heat and passion...

Click to read more ...