Canada takes the international film scene by storm

Telefilm Canada, Canada’s federal cultural agency dedicated to promoting Canadian filmmakers and cinema, is celebrating the industry, thanks to a strong presence in this year’s Venice International Film Festival, the oldest film festival in the world. 

A Dangerous Method, a Canadian and German collaboration, is in competition for the Gold Lion, starring Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Michael Fassbender and Vincent Cassel. The film, directed by Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg, brings to light the relationship between Carl Jung, mentor Sigmund Freud and patient Sabina Spielrein, the woman who came between them.

Canadian director Mary Harron, famous for the thriller American Psycho, will have her film The Moth Diaries premiered in the festival's special Gala presentation. The Canadian and Irish co-production adapts Rachel Klein’s cult novel of the same name about a girl who, while dealing with her father’s suicide, suspects her boarding school roommate of being a vampire.

The Orrizonti, showcasing new trends of cinema and documentaries, will feature Canadian-made Black Mirrors at the National Gallery. 

During the exclusive Critics Week, which selects nine films dedicated to playing first features from around the world, Marécages is the only North American film to be recognized. It follows a family dealing with their drought-parched dairy farm, the confrontations they must overcome, and forgiveness they must learn.

The Venice Days portion of the festival recognizes the best independent cinema, and this year, two Canadian films were selected. In Café de Flore, Jean-Marc Vallée, who is famous for directing one of the most successful films in Quebec history, shows the interconnecting of different love stories from present-day Montreal and 1960's Paris. Another Silence follows a Toronto cop in search for revenge that brings her to Argentina.

The film festival runs from August 31 to September 10.
For more information, visit the VIFF website at labiennale.org


— Jessica Galang