Hello Reader,

The Toronto International Film Festival has begun...and so has my coverage (bookmark this page for everything), in writing and podcast form.

On the podcast, I'm putting groups of related films in conversation with each other to discover new insights and current preoccupations in the film industry. I want to offer you a spoiler-free discussion that's more than just "is this film any good?"

This is for you if:

• You're attending TIFF and looking for recommendations;
• You're looking ahead to your local film festival for must-see titles; and/or
• You're interested in how filmmakers from around the world explore similar topics/genres, even if you're unsure if you'll ever see the films.

The season will be spoiler-free and designed to be listened to even if you haven't seen or will not see the films (either ever or for some time).

​TIFF #2: Palestinian Films​

In my first dispatch from the festival, I discuss the four Palestinian feature films at the festival, which address different aspects of Palestinian life:

• In the occupied territories (No Other Land)
• As a migrant in exile (To a Land Unknown)
• As a Palestinian living in Israel (Happy Holidays)
• In Gaza during the current war (From Ground Zero)

​Listen to the episode​

​TIFF #3: Sports movies for people who don't like sports movies​

In my second dispatch, I discuss three movies set in the world of sports that are thoughtful character dramas from early career filmmakers. Two of these films have some of the best blocking I've seen in cinema all year.

The films address a variety of issues and milieus from multiple countries

• Recovering from sexual assault (Julie Keeps Quiet, Belgium)
• Unlearning gender norms (My Sunshine, Japan)
• Single motherhood in 1939 Sweden...while trying to do incredible swimming feats (The Swedish Torpedo)

​Listen to the episode​

Don't want to listen to my TIFF coverage?

You can read my reviews! Reviews are now live for several of the films listed here (No Other Land, Julie Keeps Quiet, To a Land Unknown), plus the best shorts at the festival.

​Find all my TIFF coverage here.​

Coming soon:

• An interview with legendary theatre director Marianne Elliott who makes her feature debut at TIFF
• New British social realism films from Mike Leigh and Andrea Arnold
• Bicultural daughters and their absent fathers
• ...and more!

Happy listening (and watching, if you're at the fest)!

Alex