Best of the 47th Annual TIFF – An Essential Moment for the Media in the Post-Pandemic Era
Have you noticed the Bell Lightbox Theatre popping up in your social media feeds since early September? Have you noticed that more and more classmates around you are putting “going to see a movie at TIFF” into their weekly schedules? The 47th Annual Toronto International Film Festival has arrived, its first in the post-pandemic era. Since its introduction in 1976, the ten-day event in early September, has acted as a permanent destination for film lovers and culture. This year’s festival screened nearly 400 films from a diverse range of filmmakers worldwide, showcasing the diversity of world cultures and the appeal of cinema as a form of media. As a platform for promoting and popularizing new films, the festival creates an essential moment for the media.
Tyler Perry’s A Jazzman’s Blues was one of the many films screened at the festival. Spanning the 1940s to 1980s, the film has a story of forbidden love and family secrets. When true love and mysterious murder intertwine, the elements of romance and danger collide, creating a unique visual experience. The film contains an excellent American blues soundtrack, some of which was composed by Spike Lee’s collaborator Terence Blanchard. Music plays a vital role in the movie. It can bring the audience an excellent listening experience and contribute to the storytelling.
Another film, Alam, is Firas Khoury’s first film work, illustrating the struggle of five Israeli-Palestinian high-school classmates under the burden of forced forgetting. The film shows Palestinian teenagers torn between remembering history or forgetting the past, and the hidden feelings between teenagers growing up. In this film, the audience can see the protagonists’ exploration of personal identity and the impact of the trauma left by history. This film is tight-paced; you will not want to blink.
People have developed a great passion for movies with thriller elements in the post-pandemic era. The film A Man of Reason, directed by Korean filmmaker Jung Woo-sung, can also be seen at the film festival. Jung takes the lead role in this film, using his experienced performance to tell a story about his personal experiences and politics. Kidnappings, car chases, and power struggles all appear in the movie. Under these thrilling scenes, Jung leads the audience to think more deeply about freedom and hope.
This year’s TIFF featured exciting films and personal visits from various movie stars. The festival’s 2022 lineup included Jennifer Lawrence, Brendan Fraser, Tyler Perry, Olivia Colman, Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, and Daniel Radcliffe.