THE ZONE OF INTEREST

Program: Special Presentations

Directed By: Jonathan Glazer

Synopsis: Towards the final days of the Holocaust, Hedwig is fixated on self-preservation, while Rudolf is increasingly burdened by his duties. We reside inside the family’s encampment, with background voices of ghost-like prisoners muffled by the perpetrator’s quotidian musings. At one point, Hedwig and her atrocious friends joke about their new luxury goods, received from Canada — the nickname of the storage facilities where such items, after being confiscated, were stored — at the demise of their former neighbours. (TIFF)

Why This Is A Must-See: Ever since winning the Grand Prix at Cannes, the hype around this movie has been phenomenal. Plus, Jonathan Glazer is the filmmaker who made Under The Skin, a film that sticks with me to this day. I imagine The Zone of Interest, in its own way, will likely have the same effect. The two screenings at TIFF are, indeed, already sold out. But this one could be worth getting to the Rush line really early for.

Expected Coverage: Look for a review from Thomas Stoneham-Judge during the festival.

THE TEACHERS’ LOUNGE

Program: Centerpiece

Directed By: Ilker Çatak

Synopsis: Fresh out of college, Carla (Leonie Benesch) is a new hire at a German junior high. Soon beloved by her homeroom, she takes great pride in her job, though not in her Polish heritage, which she hides from her colleagues. The school has a problem: a thief is at work and causing suspicion among students and staff. After falling victim to the culprit’s handiwork — and with her Turkish pupil falsely accused of the crime — Carla is embroiled in a plot to entrap the real offender. With the help of her laptop, she manages to corner Friederike (Eva Löbau), who works as the school secretary and whose bright son Oskar (Leonard Stettnisch) is in Carla’s class. With the rumour mill roiling and the school newspaper weighing in, Carla is in the spotlight and neither Friederike nor Oskar, who starts spreading damaging rumours in retaliation for his mother’s dismissal, will go down without a fight. (TIFF)

Why This Is A Must-See: This film was Germany’s submission for Best International Film at the Academy Awards this year, and although it did not ultimately get the nomination, there is good reason Germany saw this film as their best shot. Even here at TIFF 2023, this may not be as flashy of a title as other selected international films, but the premise promises a suspenseful and disconcerting experience that is worthy of conversations afterwards. Many festival attendees might overlook this one, but I suggest you not be one of them.

Expected Coverage: Look for a capsule review from Thomas Stoneham-Judge during the festival.

EZRA

Program: SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Directed By: Tony Goldwyn

WORLD PREMIERE AT TIFF

Synopsis: New Jersey stand-up Max (Cannavale) tells stories, not jokes, about ordinary chaos. And there is no better source of chaos in his life than his son, Ezra (William A. Fitzgerald). Diagnosed with autism, Ezra is precocious and precarious: he’s been reading The New York Times since he was five, but his impulsive behaviour often gets him into trouble and sometimes even poses a danger to himself and others. A doctor insists Ezra be sent to a special school and medicated. Ezra’s mom, Jenna (Byrne), who shares custody with Max, is inclined to go along with the program, but Max will have none of it. One night, Max, who has been promised a spot on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, takes Ezra on a cross-country excursion — without the permission of Jenna or his father (De Niro), whose car Max has “borrowed.” (TIFF)

Why This Is A Must-See: Boasting an interesting cast, Ezra seems to have an ensemble that will keep the movie fun and fresh. Being described as “both an unpredictable family dramedy and a road movie that runs on mischief,” also piques my interest. And at a managable 100 minute long runtime, this World Premiere title seems like an ideal addition to most TIFF-goer lineups.

Expected Coverage: Look for a social media video review by Shawn Peer during the festival.