TIFF Adds Five Titles and Star Power to Special Presentations

The Toronto International Film Festival keeps the eyeball emojis rolling with the announcement of five Special Presentation titles for this year’s edition. TIFF added the world premiere of Love of Your Life, the sophomore feature from cinematographer turned director Rachel Morrison. She previously debuted her first feature The Fire Inside at TIFF and was the first woman to receive an Oscar nomination for Best Cinematography thanks to her work on Mudbound, which also screened at the festival. Love of Your Life stars Margaret Qualley as a young woman who become swept up in a tumultuous romance full of twists and turns. Following its festival premiere, the drama co-starring Aaron Pierre, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Basso, and Catherine Keener streams on Prime Video beginning October 14.

Also joining the TIFF line-up is The Housewife starring Luke Evans, Naomi Watts, and Michael Imperioli. The drama tells the story of a journalist who is on the hunt for a Nazi, but finds his story going in a new direction when the man’s wife unexpectedly charms him. Ben Shirinian directs the Montreal-shot drama in his feature debut. The TIFF screening marks the film’s world premiere.

Also bringing star power is Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother. The film directed by Bassam Tariq includes notable cast members like two-time Oscar winner Mahershala Ali and Emmy nominee Giancarlo Esposito. Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother, also tapped for a world premiere, follows a religious father (Ali) on a vendetta as he tries to protect his children after the death of his wife.

Meanwhile, Glaxo by Argentine filmmaker Benjamín Naishtat charts three decades in the life of a working class family. Naishtat’s crime drama Rojo previously screened in TIFF’s Platform competition. The drama rounds out the world premieres announced today.

Finally, TIFF’s additions include the international premiere of Alpha Gang from David Zellner and Nathan Zellner. The “international premiere” tag means that the U.S. production will presumably debut at Telluride before touching down in Toronto. Cate Blanchett, Lily Rose-Depp, Kelvin Harrison, Jr., Riley Keough, and Dave Bautista are among the stars in this tale of an alien biker gang that burns rubber on Earth.

“Each year, we strive to curate a selection of films that feels most relevant to the moment with the power to spark a rich dialogue with our public audience, and these Special Presentations titles are true reflections of that,” said Anita Lee, TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer, in a statement from the festival. “From debut directors to the most anticipated sophomore films of the year to vanguard voices, this group of films showcase the authenticity, the unexpected, and the ambition of cinema now. They are sure to be among the Festival’s most talked-about titles, captivating audiences and generating buzz long after the credits roll. We’re delighted to share these original works with TIFF audiences in September.”

TIFF previously announced three festival selections including the opening night film Being Heumann. The festival runs Sept. 10 to 20.



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