Coming out of our recap of the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, we were excited to see so many women-led, women-directed films enter the canon of the ‘best’ of the festival, notably with Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet winning the People’s Choice Award. (Cue the Saoirse Ronan ‘women’ meme right about now.)
From intense or absurd thrillers to heartbreaking dramas, and astonishing performances by so many different actresses, there was a sense of pride seeing so many visual representations of women ranging in age, race, ethnicity, and sexuality.
With both of us primarily seeking our stories by women, for women, or about women, here are ten films to follow coming out of the festival directed by some of the strongest female voices in the industry.
100 Sunset, directed by Kunsang Kyirong
We wouldn’t be doing TIFF properly without seeing a Canadian film. Kyirong’s 100 Sunset is as Canadian as it gets, spotlighting the Tibetan community within the city of Toronto through the eyes (and camera) of Kunsel, played by Tenzin Kunsel. We watch as she connects with her neighbours through kleptomancy and silent observations. The constant switch between the film footage and the hand-held camcorder footage creates an intrusive yet charming depiction of Tibetan culture that you cannot help but be pulled into.
Eleanor the Great, directed by Scarlett Johansson
Led by the audaciously funny June Squibb, Eleanor the Great is the directorial debut of industry veteran Scarlett Johansson. Painting a complex image of love and grief, Johansson delivers an emotional roller coaster of side-splitting laughs and tear-jerking moments in one of the most wholesome narratives coming out of the festival.
You can read our full review here.
Flana, directed by Zahraa Ghandour
It’s hard to fathom losing a loved one without explanation, let alone sharing the ramifications it had on you with the world. Ghandour bravely does just that under the guise of her documentary Flana. Told as an open letter to her childhood friend, Nour, who went missing at the age of 10, she guides us through the tragically common disappearances of Iraqi women and the unwillingness to seek them out. Tied together with stunning cinematography and a quietly devastating score, it is this year’s hidden gem of TIFF.
You can discover more in our full review here.
Franz, directed by Agnieszka Holland
Of all the films listed here, Franz is the only film that centers around a male lead, the prolific Franz Kafka. Yet that is what makes Holland’s narrative so impactful, allowing a more empathetic, warm side to seep through his otherwise rigid exterior. The ambitious surrealist sequences interlaced with its atypical structure help Holland pay a beautifully apt tribute to the life of one of the world’s most unconventional and influential writers.
Hamnet, directed by Chloé Zhao
On top of winning People’s Choice at TIFF, Zhao’s Hamnet was our personal favorite of the festival. This is a masterclass in storytelling, and Zhao places herself as one of the most talented, passionate, and genuine filmmakers of our time. Jessie Buckley earns her spot on the ‘who to watch’ list as we enter awards season, as she delivers a career-defining performance as Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare.
We rave about the film more in our full review here.
Hedda, directed by Nia DaCosta
Sexy, gay, and extravagant. And we aren’t just talking about the vibes of the World Premiere of Hedda at TIFF. Nia DaCosta demonstrates what an adaptation should look like, redefining the meaning and purpose of an 18th-century play. With three amazing female lead performances, this witty, used-to-be stage production comes to life and is a must-see out of the festival.
You can read our full review of the film here.
If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, directed by Mary Bronstein
Bronstein’s use of metaphor, sound, and intimate camera work on lead, Rose Byrne, creates an anxiety-inducing thriller unlike any other. Crafting a heartbreaking tableau of what caring for a sick child looks like and the weight of motherhood, both Bronstein and Byrne offer a truly unforgettable experience.
You can read our full review of the film here.
Silent Friend, directed by Ildikó Enyedi
A movie about a tree. A non-speaking, acting, or moving lead. Crazy concept, right? Enyedi does the impossible by directing a dynamic and thoughtful feature, creating a sense of connectedness through time, space, and nature. Following three different stories that take place on the same university’s grounds, Enyedi’s tree allows us to observe how different people connect to others and themselves, blending science with a sense of intimacy. The use of different camera work and visuals creates a compelling narrative unique to any other film at TIFF this year.
You can read our full review here.
Sound of Falling, directed by Mascha Schilinski
In what is captured like a scrapbook of suffering, Sound of Falling poignantly unearths the ramifications of trauma seeping through generations of women with no end. Schilinski takes us on a hard-to-swallow journey where you will find yourself battling between feeling guilt, remorse, disgust, and hatred for each woman. We are reminded of the difficulty of breaking a cycle so heavily ingrained in all that we do in society.
You can take a look at our full review here.
The Testament of Ann Lee, directed by Mona Fastvold
The influential yet forgotten religious leader “Mother Ann” receives her second coming in Fastvold’s The Testament of Ann Lee. Adorned with perfectly choreographed, passionately sung hymns, we dance through her life story from humble beginnings to the building of communities championing the Shaker movement. Amanda Seyfried unequivocally loses herself to Ann Lee, embracing her faith with open arms, which is truly a spectacle to behold.
You can “hunger and thirst” over our full review here.
List Courtesy of Sara Ciplickas & Nandita Joshi
Feature Image from ‘Eleanor the Great,’ Courtesy of TIFF