Toronto True Crime Film Festival 2019: What You Need to Know

A weekend of bliss for true crime fans

After its successful 2018 debut, the Toronto True Crime Film Festival (TTCFF) is back for its second edition. If you’re a fan of the true crime genre – whether your jam is true crime movies, TV series, books, or podcasts – then TTCFF is the place to be this weekend.

This year’s festival runs June 14th and 15th at Toronto’s Revue Cinema and covers the genre’s most revered topics; unjust incarcerations, internet scams, and of course, murder. Attendees have the chance to check out four feature films, seven short films, and three speaking events. Keep on reading for the full rundown of TTCFF 2019.

 

TTCFF 2019

TTCFF-Crowd-Outside

BEI BEI (OPENING FILM)
Dir. Rose Rosenblatt & Marion Lipschutz / USA / 2018 / 77 min / Canadian Premiere
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

TTCFF-2019-BeiBei

Depressed, pregnant, and abandoned by her boyfriend, Chinese immigrant Bei Bei Shuai is eight months along when she attempts suicide by ingesting rat poison. Bei Bei survives the ordeal, but the fetus does not. Before her hospital discharge, Bei Bei goes to jail on charges of first-degree murder and attempted feticide. Screens with short film WATCHING KARLA HOMOLKA (Dir. Jordan Steinhauer, Canada, 2018).

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SAKAWA
Dir. Ben Asamoah / Belgium, Netherlands / 2018 / 81 min / Canadian Premiere
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019
9:30 PM – 11:30 PM

SAKAWA is an intimate portrait of underemployed youth in Ghana who are struggling to make a living by scamming Westerners through the internet. Utilizing photos and videos harvested from discarded computers, the scammers enter into romantic online relationships with lonely men around the world, pretending to be sexy single women, sending frequent online messages, and engaging in the occasional phone sex session (often with not terribly convincing female voices) in order to keep them on the hook. Screens with short film STRANGER DANGER (Dir. Michael Gil, USA, 2018).

 

THEODORE: DOCUSERIES SNEAK PEEK WITH DIRECTOR CELENE BETH CALDERON
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

The story of Ted Bundy has been told many times, but Celene Beth Calderon—the first woman to helm a Bundy doc—is telling a slightly different story. Focusing on the victims and the everlasting impact of one man’s actions on individuals, families, and communities, THEODORE tells the stories that have yet to be told on camera. *Followed by an extended discussion and Q&A with director Celene Beth Calderon!

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FORENSICS & CRIME SOLVING: A LECTURE FROM DR. MYRIAM NAFTE
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Forensic investigation is a largely misunderstood field. The work of civilian scientists versus police is governed by areas of specialty that are quite distinct from one another. In this lecture, Dr. Myriam Nafte will define the evolving field of police forensics with an overview of the protocols governing crime scenes, warrants, security, and the processing of physical evidence.

 

ZEALOT: LIVE!
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

 

Zealot-Podcast

Zealot is an Australian comedy podcast about cults, as defined arbitrarily by host Jo Thornely. At Toronto True Crime, Jo will be joined by local comedian Natalie Norman for Zealot‘s very first live show!

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THE HURRICANE (20TH ANNIVERSARY SCREENING)
Dir. Norman Jewison / USA / 1999 / 146 min
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Oscar-nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role, Denzel Washington is a force of nature as real-life middleweight boxer Rubin “The Hurricane” Carter, convicted of a triple murder in a bar in Paterson, New Jersey. Toronto native Norman Jewison (IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, MOONSTRUCK) weaves this true story in the style of an old Hollywood inspirational tale, allowing the actors to shine, especially Washington in this physically and emotionally complex role.

 

LAW & SHORTER: SHORT FILM UNIT
ADJOURNMENT | KATIE AND THE BLACK ROBIN HOOD | MR. WASH | SWATTED / 83 min
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

TTCFF-2019-SHORTS-01

These four incredible short films were too long to be programmed in front of our features at ~20 minutes long, but they absolutely needed to be seen, and so Toronto True Crime Film Festival’s very first shorts block—Law & Shorter: Short Film Unit—was born.

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MOPE (CLOSING FILM)
Dir. Lucas Heyne / USA / 2019 / 105 min / Canadian Premiere
SATURDAY, JUNE 15, 2019
9:30 PM – 11:30 PM

TTCFF-2019-MOPE

In the world of pornography, the term “mope” refers to a low-level, wannabe porn actor who perhaps isn’t quite well endowed or otherwise attractive enough to achieve the success granted to “bigger”-name porn stars. Stephen Clancy Hill and Herbert Wong, respectively known by their porn alter egos Steve Driver and Tom Dong, were two such mopes—real-life best friends attempting to live the impossible porno dream, but the blurred line between reality and delusion ultimately sent them both tumbling down a path of destruction. Screens with short film THE INCIDENT AT TREASURY GARDENS (Dir. Brendan J. Doyle, Australia, 2018).

For additional information about the TTCFF and to purchase tickets, visit here.



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