by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport & Editor in Chief

The Toronto International Film Festival kicks off September 5, running until September 15, and I am practically jumping out of my skin in excitement for this year’s lineup. This is the first time in several years that I will be making my way up north. With two hundred and seventy eight films on the slate, I anticipate that I won’t be catching many winks.

I first attended the festival with my wonderful film pal and fellow MovieJawner, Jaime Davis back in 2017 (I think…) and my life was forever changed. From that moment, I knew I had to find my way back and, for a couple years afterwards, I did. This year, I not only am accredited as press, but I was selected as one of fifteen writers to serve as a mentor to up and coming journos. This is an absolute honor, and is truly going to make this experience that more thrilling! There are so many motion pictures on my watchlist however, these are some of the ones that stood out to me. Make sure to keep an eye out for my latest dispatches here on MovieJawn and from my fellow staff writer, Billie Anderson, who will be joining me on location.

Mr. K
Written and Directed by Tallulah Hazekamp Schwab
World Premiere September 7

Mr. K had me at the words: traveling magician. When I learned that said illusionist was played by the impeccable Crispin Glover well, this moved to the top of my watchlist.

Glover portrays the titular Mr. K, who finds himself trapped in an eccentric hotel with the most unusual guests. As he seeks for a way out, he stumbles upon peculiar of circumstances that evoke the writings of Franz Kafka. This is Schwab’s second feature and looks like an absolute feast for the eyes. In viewing the trailer, the production design looks impeccable and appears to provide a surprise around every corner. With Glover in the starring role, I anticipate Mr. K to be absolutely bewitching.

Shell
Written by Jack Stanley
Directed by Max Minghella
World Premiere September 12

The tale of chasing youth is one as old as time. Shell stars Elisabeth Moss as Samantha, a frustrated actress that can’t seem to snag the parts she pines for and finds her career on the downhill. With the advice of her agent Samantha, she seeks a miraculous beauty treatment from Shell.

The charismatic and captivating Zoe Shannon (Kate Hudson), CEO of Shell, is a walking advertisement for her products. When she takes Samantha under her wing, suddenly her luck starts to turn. However, when Samantha begins to experience side effects, she begins to question what truly is behind the beauty. This is Minghella’s sophomore feature and as, much as I did not dig his debut Teen Spirit, I have higher hopes for this body horror yarn. I believe it has the potential to be a twisty thrill ride.

The End
Written by Rasmus Heisterberg and Joshua Opennheimer
Directed by Joshua Opennheimer
Canadian Premiere September 11

Hearing this described as being a “Golden Age style musical” makes my heart flutter. After humanity finally destroyed the Earth, the last remaining family survives deep underground in a salt mine. Given that musicals are typically of an upbeat fare, it will be interesting to see how such a grim plot plays out.

Tilda Swinton and Michael Shannon toil away in their bunker with their son, portrayed by George MacKay. When a mysterious woman (Moses Ingram) shows up seeking shelter, the family’s existence soon starts to falter. With such an incredible cast, I am sure this is going to be a film that will have everyone’s talking after the fest.

The Luckiest Man in America
Written by Maggie Briggs and Samir Oliveros
Directed by Samir Oliveros
World Premiere September 5

I love old game shows such as “Match Game”, “Password”, “I’ve Got a Secret” and “Beat The Clock”. Samir Oliveros’ sophomore feature features Paul Walter Hauser as Michael Larson, an unemployed ice cream truck driver in 1984 that winds up having a winning streak on the hit game show, “Press Your Luck”.

The Luckiest Man in America has the potential to be amusing, especially given Hauser’s charismatic screen presence. Even in a lackluster film such as Richard Jewell, he managed to keep my attention and, given that his character in Oliveros’ flick is described as an “obsessive eccentric,” I am betting this will be an entertaining watch. I am also excited to see Haley Bennett as a costar, as I really enjoyed her portrayal in the psychological thriller, Swallow. The Luckiest Man in America may not seem like a candidate for a standout at the fest but I am willing to press my luck. It may even turn out to be a sleeper hit.

Rumours
Written by Evan Johnson
Directed by Evan Johnson, Galen Johnson and Guy Maddin
North American Premiere September 9

The still image from the film of the ginormous brain is what made me want to watch Rumours. Learning the picture was from the minds of frequent collaborators, Guy Maddin, Evan Johnson, and Galen Johnson was icing on the cake.

When the leaders of the G7 nations - the US, Canada, Germany, Japan, Italy, France and the United Kingdom - convene to draft a statement on global crisis, they suddenly find themselves lost in the woods. As they attempt to find their way out of their murky surroundings, they encounter surreal oddities and dangerous situations. Inevitably this absurd journey brings out their ineptness, while making a satirical commentary on current affairs. With the promise of a glowing brain, bog people, and black and white photography, I have a feeling Rumours will be right up my sidewalk.

Dead Talents Society
Written by John Hsu and Kun-Lin Tsai
Directed by John Hsu
North American Premiere September 6

Reading the synopsis of Dead Talents Society gives me hope for the afterlife. A gaggle of ghosts pine to become the most spookiest, terrifying, and frightful lot in the underworld. In order to remain a spectral spirit, expired souls must regularly spook the living to ensure they secure a “haunter’s license”. This documentation keeps them from permanently expiring. For most, this is not a scary predicament. However for the demure and meek, this is a one way ticket to their demise… for a second time.

Playing in the Midnight Madness programme, this supernatural dark comedy sounds like a great way to cap off a evening and a provide a real scream.

Dead Mail
Written and Directed by Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy
Canadian Premiere September 12

Despite the trials, tribulations, and overall sad state of affairs that is the United States Postal Service over the past few years, I am still a snail mail junkie at heart. I have an affinity for handwritten letters and am known to send thoughtful, and often bizarre, parcels to pals of mine.

After a blood-stained letter remnant winds up at the county post office of a Midwest town, it initiates an investigation that leads to a sordid end. With the time period set in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the film promises to be a “synth-laden retro thriller”. Of course this intrigues me, but what really had me adding this to my watchlist was the likelihood of meeting some interesting characters. There’s nothing like spending time with some amateur sleuths. With Dead Mail being described as reminiscent of pictures from Peter Strickland and the Coen Brothers, there is a high probability that I will end up fan of DeBoer and McConaghy.

The Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 5 until September 15, tickets are available here. MovieJawn will be on location at this year’s fest! Find our latest dispatches here.