By John H. Foote
In a huge coup, Michael Moore returns to Tiff with his latest film, Fahrenheit 11/9, an anti-Trump tirade that should anger the attention President by calling him out for what he is. Moore, no stranger to controversy directed the superb Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) which made clear George W. Bush was a bumbling fool, so I cannot wait to see what Moore does to Trump. Landing this film makes Toronto the centre of the film world even more than the festival will already is, as all eyes will be focused on Moore.
Joining the film will be docs such as Screwball, a study of professional basball doping, That Changes Everything, a timely study of the evolving role of women in Hollywood, Meeting Gorbachev, a penetrating series of conversation with the former Russian leader, American Dharma, a powerful look at Trump strategist Steve Bannon, as well as Quincy, a doc that explores the life and impact of music legend Quincy Jones.
Searching for Ingmar Bergman makrs the Swedish directing legends centennial, while Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes explores the disgarced fox chief.
Lots of the films feel ripped from the past years headlines do they not?
One minor disappointment, the new film about Hal Ashby, Hal is not listed, at least not yet. Crossing my fingers.
In the Midnight Madness program, two major titles were announced, The Predator, the update of the Predator films, and Halloween a sequel to the films bringing back Jamie Lee Curtis. Expect each to be sell outs in public screenings. Assassniation Nation looks interesting and Casper Noe will bring his latest, Climax.
Excitement building.
John H. Foote is a well-recognized Canadian film critic/historian who has been an active critic for 30 years. His deep love for the movies began at a very young age. He began his career as co-host of the popular TV show Reel to Real where he remained for nine years. While on TV he began dabbling in education, eventually ascending to Director of the Toronto Film School, where he also taught film history. After leaving the college to care for his wife, he returned to teaching at Humber College where he taught both Film History and Method Acting Theory. John has written two books: “Clint Eastwood – Evolution of a Filmmaker” and the upcoming “Spielberg – American Film Visionary”. He is currently working on two books, one about the films of the seventies and another on the films of Martin Scorsese. Through his career he has worked in TV, radio, print and the web. John has interviewed everyone in the industry (more than 300 interviews) except Jack Nicholson, he says sadly. Highlights include Martin Scorsese, Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep Robert Duvall, Jane Fonda, Francis Ford Coppola and Kathryn Bigelow.
