Jojo Rabbit

Taika Waititi has a unique and distinct artistic voice and holy is it every on display here. That’s an absolute compliment, in case it’s not clear. Basically anything that he does gets a pass, but this satire of the nazis looks hilarious and fun and heartfelt (and relevant). Jojo Rabbit is screening at VIFF on Wednesday the 2nd of October and it’s basically already sold out as of this writing. Hopefully they add more showings because I can’t actually make this one, but even if they don’t you know this one is getting a wide release on 18th October anyway, so it won’t be a long wait.

Just Mercy

Well this looks like an Oscar contender. Starring two Oscar winners alongside a guy who we all know will win one one day, Just Mercy follow Michael B Jordan as Bryan Stevenson who after graduating Harvard Law eschewed the high paying gigs he could have had in favour of fighting for the wrongfully imprisoned. With Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx on board this looks like it could be great, but it also could be one of those middle of the road Oscar bait movies too. Only time will tell, but not that much time! It premieres at VIFF on 28th September and then goes onto a limited Christmas Day release, and full wide release on 10th January 2020.

The Lighthouse

Robert Eggers last movie was festival favourite The Witch, a creepy horror film set in the time of the pilgrims, lit with natural light and written using dialog from actual sources of the time. It was creepy and effective and weird.

The Lighthouse looks like something else all together, but also still creepy and moody and weird. Two men played by Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson trapped in a lighthouse during a storm slowly going crazy and locked in a battle of wills. What else do you really need to know about this one?

The Lighthouse plays at VIFF on 28th September and then goes into general release on 18th October.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (or Portrait de la jeune fille en feu) has already been winning raves at other festivals it has played at including taking home the best screenplay award at Cannes this year.

Marianne is commissioned to paint Héloïse, a woman who has recently left the convent, in order to elicit wedding proposals. Héloïse refuses to sit for a painting and so Marianne is hired under the guise of being a ladies maid, and through the course of their companionship they fall in love.

I’ve seen it called a masterpiece and one of the best films of the year so far. Portrait of a Lady on Fire plays at VIFF on 5th and 10th October, and then heads to theatres on 6th December.

Ford v. Ferrari

In 1966 designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles worked together to do the impossible: build a car and use it to beat Ferrari in the 24 hour Le Mans race.

As if that wasn’t compelling enough, Ford v. Ferrari stars Matt Damon and Christian Bale, is directed by James Mangold (Logan, 3:10 to Yuma), and has Tracey Letts in a supporting role. What’s not to be excited about here?

Catch this one at VIFF on 11th October. Or if you don’t, it goes into wide release on 15th November.

White Lie

Here’s some love for the home country. White Lie is a Canadian film about a young woman who becomes internet famous after revealing that she has been diagnosed with cancer. Of course, the titular white lie is that she hasn’t been diagnosed with cancer.

I’ve heard good reviews out of TIFF (where it playing now) so far so if you’re looking for some home grown films to take in this might be a good one.

White Lie plays at VIFF on 29th September and 1st October, no word yet on a general release.

Parasite

Bong Joon Ho (Snowpiercer, The Host) is back with a new film and, honestly, that’s enough for me to want to see it. Concerning a poor family looking for a way to elevate their status by infiltrating a wealthy one, I didn’t even finish the trailer because I don’t need or want to know more.

Parasite is playing at VIFF on 27th and 29th of September, as well as 6th October before heading into general release on 11th October.

Bacurau

Another film getting great reviews at other festivals, Bacurau follows a small town in Brazil "a few years from now" that finds itself beset by malevolent forces.

It sounds like The Magnificent Seven, and it looks like a high concept thriller from the late 80s. Seriously, what more do you need to know?

Catch it at VIFF on 3rd and 7th October. No idea if this one is going to get a wide release.

That’s all for now!

I could post one hundred trailers here and I feel like that would only scratch the surface of the festival. If any of these catch your fancy be sure to grab tickets while you can (and check out what else is playing!) at the VIFF website, and you’re going to be attending be sure to say hi!