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Screening in Toronto at TIFF, programmers in Vancouver have announced that their Opening Gala film will be the much-anticipated feature Wild, by Canadian filmmaker Jean-Marc Vallée, of Dallas Buyers Club fame. Nick Hornby`s adaptation of Cheryl Strayed`s best-selling memoir, stars Reese Witherspoon and Laura Dern, and portrays a self-destructive woman who attempts to leave behind her years of drug abuse and recklessness with a solo, 1,000-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. The film is scheduled to open in general release December, but why wait?
The Special Presentation Gala film (formerly Dragons and Tigers Gala) will offer the World Premiere of the Japan film, The Vancouver Asahi. In Vancouver`s old Japantown, a group of Canadian-born kids launched their own baseball team, the Asahi. Yuya Ishiis (Mitsuko Delivers) lavish-scale entertainment chronicles their battles against failure, racism and prejudice—and the brief moment of triumph they enjoyed before Pearl Harbor changed everything. Director Yuya Ishii and actors Satoshi Tsumabuki, and Kazuya Kamenashi will be in attendance.
The Canadian Images Gala film is October Gale, written and directed by Ruba Nadda and stars Patricia Clarkson, Scott Speedman (pictured) and Tim Roth.  The film tells the story of a doctor who takes in a mysterious man with a gunshot wound who washes ashore at her remote cottage. October Gale is being presented in partnership with Telefilm Canada. “For many years, the Vancouver International Film Festival has enjoyed the distinct pleasure of showcasing the largest selection of Canadian films in the world,” said VIFF Executive Director Jacqueline Dupuis. “As partners we demonstrate our collective commitment to ensuring the celebration of Canadian cinema is at the forefront of local, national and international audiences alike. We look forward to working together in the coming years to building this signature event to be the Canadian “scene-to-be-seen” during the festival.”
VIFF`s Closing Night Gala film is the American film and Sundance Grand Jury and Audience Award winner, Whiplash. Fierce rhythms and ferocious humour drive Damien Chazelles riveting film about an ambitious jazz drummer (Miles Teller) pushed beyond his breaking point by an instructor (J.K. Simmons) who takes tough-love to extremes.
Click here for a link to the Vancouver International Film Festival and other September 2014 film festivals. |
