The world premiere of Stephen Chbosky’s musical adaptation Dear Evan Hansen will open 2021 Toronto International film Festival, which runs from September 9-18.
Playing as a Gala Presentation, the film (Universal will release it in the US and UK on September 24 and October 22, respectively) is one of 20 additions to the programme, alongside the North American premiere of Zhang Yimou’s One Second as the closing night film. Shortly after the line-up announcement, Neon said it had acquired the film for North America.
Other newly-announced Gala Presentation world premieres include Walt Becker’s Clifford The Big Red Dog; and Barry Levinson’s The Survivor starring Ben Foster. The potential awards contender formerly known as Harry Haft is one of the acquisition titles US buyers have been tracking since it was first pitched to buyers in Cannes two years ago.
In the Special Presentations section, world premieres include Michael Showalter’s The Eyes Of Tammy Faye starring Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield; Michael McGowan’s All My Puny Sorrows based on Miriam Toews’ novel and starring Sarah Gadon and Alison Pill; and Bent Hamer’s The Middle Man based on the book by Lars Saabye Christensen.
Will Sharpe’s UK drama The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy will have its Canadian premiere as a Gala Presentation, suggesting it is headed for a world premiere berth at Telluride in early September. Edgar Wright’s Last Night In Soho is categorised as a North American premiere in Toronto, indicating a likely Venice bow first.
Titles heading to Toronto that premiered in Cannes this month include Clio Barnard’s romance Ali & Ava, Mia Hansen-Løve’s Bergman Island, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Drive My Car, Jacques Audiard’s Paris, 13th District, Ildikó Enyedi’s The Story Of My Wife, Nanni Moretti’s Three Floors, and Joachim Trier’s The Worst Person In The World.
The festival has now announced 11 Gala Presentations and 21 Special Presentations. TIFF plans to screen more than 100 films in its hybrid 46th edition and will unveil Midnight, Wavelengths and Primetime selections on July 28. Organisers received a boost yesterday when the Canadian government announced it was easing border restrictions. Fully vaccinated visitors from around the world will be able to enter Canada from September 7.
TIFF 2021 titles so far
Gala Presentations
*previously announced
Belfast (UK) dir. Kenneth Branagh – world premiere*
Clifford The Big Red Dog (US-UK-Can) dir. Walt Becker – world premiere
Dear Evan Hansen (US) dir. Stephen Chbosky – world premiere, opening night film
The Electrical Life Of Louis Wain (UK) dir. Will Sharpe – Canadian premiere
The Eyes Of Tammy Faye (US) dir. Michael Showalter – world premiere
Jagged (US) dir. Alison Klayman – world premiere*
Last Night In Soho (UK) dir. Edgar Wright – North American premiere
The Mad Women’s Ball (Fr) dir. Mélanie Laurent – world premiere*
Night Raiders (Can-NZ) dir. Danis Goulet – North American premiere*
One Second (China) dir. Zhang Yimou – North American premiere
The Survivor (US-Can-Hun) dir. Barry Levinson – world premiere
Special Presentations
Ali & Ava (UK) dir. Clio Barnard – North American premiere
All My Puny Sorrows (Can) dir. Michael McGowan – world premiere
Benediction (UK) dir. Terence Davies – world premiere*
Bergman Island (Fr) dir. Mia Hansen-Løve – international premiere
Charlotte (Can-Fr-Bel) dirs. Eric Warin, Tahir Rana – world premiere*
Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over (US) dirs. Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner – world premiere*
Drive My Car (Jap) dir. Ryusuke Hamaguchi – North American premiere
Encounter (UK-US) dir. Michael Pearce – international premiere
The Guilty (US) dir. Antoine Fuqua – world premiere*
I’m Your Man (Ger) dir. Maria Schrader – North American premiere
Inexorable (Bel-Fr) dir. Fabrice du Welz – international premiere
Lakewood (Can) dir. Phillip Noyce – world premiere*
The Middle Man (Nor-Can-Ger-Den) dir. Bent Hamer – world premiere
Official Competition (Sp-Arg) dirs. Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat – North American premiere
Paris, 13th District (Fr) dir. Jacques Audiard – North American premiere
Petite Maman (Fr) dir. Céline Sciamma – Canadian premiere*
The Starling (US) dir. Theodore Melfi – world premiere*
The Story Of My Wife (Hun-Ger-It-Fr) dir. Ildikó Enyedi – North American premiere
Three Floors (It-Fr) dir. Nanni Moretti – North American premiere
Violet (US) dir. Justine Bateman – international premiere
The Worst Person In The World (Nor-Fr-Swe-Den) dir. Joachim Trier – North American premiere.
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