By John H. Foote

In the beginning one of the central mandates of the Toronto Film Festival, when it was still known as the Festival of Festivals was to showcase the work of homegrown filmmakers. The creators, Bill Marshall in particular understood the bevy of talent in this country and watnted to celebrate and showcase that talent within the festival. For years it was known as Canadian Perspectives, and many great Canadian films emerged from this programme.

Now the Canadian films are presented along the best from around the globe in the various programmes.

Today, some of the major Canadian titles were announced, once again making clear the degree of talent we have in this country.

Festival favourite Denys Arcand makes a return with The Fall of the American Empire, which will no doubt shine as his works The Decline of the American Empire (1987), Jesus of Montreal (1990) and the OScar winning The Barbarian Invasions (2003) did. A beloved Canadian filmmaker, Arcandès films are greeted with excitement each time out.

Patricia Rozema is back with Mouthpiece, while Ron Mann returns with Carmine Street Guitars.

The always interesting Bruce Sweeney will be here with KIngsway, Akash Sherman is here with the science fiction epic Clara, Gwaii Edenshaw and Helen Haig Brown combine talents for the Haida epic Edge of the Knife, and the much awaited documentary Anthropocene.

Rob Stewarts Sharkwater Extinction will bow here, along with Thom Fitzgeralds film SPlinters, while Barry Avrich will unveil his much awaited documentary Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz.

Falls Around Her, will screen, directed by Darlene Naponse, along with The Great Darkened Days, directed by Maxime Giroux.

Once again it looks like a very exciting year for Canadians at and in the movies.

 

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