The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is in full swing, kicking off a few days ago and running until October 9th – as always, the 34th edition of the event brings in top BC, Canadian and international films.
Amongst those projects being screened are:
– John Crowley’s Brooklyn started the festival off in the Opening Night Gala spot. With scripting by Nick Hornby (Wild, An Education), this 50s-era immigration film is an exhilarating tale of female empowerment.
– The Assassin from decorated Taiwanese auteur Hou Hsiao-Hsien, who scored Cannes’ Best Director prize. This martial arts drama set in 9th century China.
– Jia Zhangke’s Mountains May Depart is a characteristically ambitious drama spanning decades and crossing continents
– Past Palme d’Or winner Apichatpong Weerasethakul returns with the phantasmagoric Cemetery of Splendour
– After winning the Rogers People’s Choice award at VIFF 2013 for Like Father, Like Son, Kore-eda Hirokazu helms the equally graceful and engaging Our Little Sister.
– Berlin’s Golden Bear winner Jafar Panahi’s Taxi, which sees Iranian master Jafar Panahi masquerading as a Tehran cabbie
– Rotterdam’s Tiger Award winner The Project of the Century, Carlos Quintela’s dark comedy unfolds in the shadow of an abandoned Cuban nuclear reactor.
– Marc Abraham’s I Saw the Light holds the Closing Night Gala position with a feature on the life of country star Hank Williams. Produced by Vancouver’s Bron Studios, this film reflects the best in BC’s ongoing production boom.
– There will also be familiar faces in front of the camera, with Tim Roth starring as a hospice nurse in Michel Franco’s involving Chronic.
This year’s VIFF will see a total of 355 films from 70 countries, with 32 world premieres, 33 North American premieres and 53 Canadian premieres.
