The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2024 has once again brought together the biggest names in the film industry. From animated biopics to genre-bending dramas, the festival has showcased a diverse array of films that have captivated audiences and critics alike.
Key Takeaways
- Pharrell Williams premiered his animated biopic, Piece by Piece, featuring Lego characters.
- Selena Gomez starred in Emilia Perez, a genre-bending film that has already won accolades at Cannes.
- Bruce Springsteen’s documentary, Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, delves into themes of age and mortality.
- Denzel Washington’s family celebrated the premiere of The Piano Lesson, directed by his son Malcolm.
- Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek walked the red carpet for Without Blood, a film exploring the horrors of war.
Pharrell Williams’ Animated Biopic: Piece by Piece
Pharrell Williams walked the red carpet with a Lego version of himself for the international premiere of Piece by Piece. The animated feature, voiced by Pharrell and fellow pop stars Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, and Jay-Z, takes the audience on an unconventional journey through Pharrell’s life, using Lego pieces as characters. Pharrell, a 13-time Grammy Award winner, stated, “Lego really helps to universalize the story so that it can be received by anyone that comes from a marginalized community.”
Selena Gomez in Emilia Perez
Selena Gomez and her co-stars in Emilia Perez set TIFF abuzz with their red carpet appearance. The Spanish-language film, directed by Jacques Audiard, is a mix of pop opera, comedy, and crime drama. It tells the story of a drug cartel kingpin who undergoes surgery to disappear and later re-emerges as Emilia Perez, hoping to reunite with family. Gomez expressed her gratitude for working with Audiard, saying, “I just really was dying to work with someone who would take me out of my comfort zone but in a way that was through storytelling.”
Bruce Springsteen’s Road Diary
Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band premiered at TIFF, offering fans a glimpse into the band’s creative process during their current world tour. Directed by Thom Zimny and narrated by Springsteen, the documentary touches on themes of age, the present, and mortality. The film also reveals that Springsteen’s wife, Patti Scialfa, has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. The ongoing tour, which had to be postponed due to Springsteen’s health issues, is set to continue until July 2025.
The Piano Lesson: A Family Affair for Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington and his family celebrated the screening of The Piano Lesson, an adaptation of August Wilson’s play. Directed by Washington’s younger son Malcolm and starring his elder son John David, the film explores a family’s struggle with their past and the legacy of slavery. Washington, who is also a producer, expressed his pride, saying, “I’m happy, a proud father.” The film will stream on Netflix starting November 22.
Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek in Without Blood
Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek sent fans into a frenzy at TIFF with their appearance for Without Blood. Directed by Jolie, the film is a parable about the cycle of violence and revenge, set in the aftermath of an unidentified conflict. Hayek, a close friend of Jolie, stars in the film, which was shot at Rome’s Cinecitta Studios. The movie is Jolie’s fifth directorial credit and is adapted from Alessandro Baricco’s novel of the same name.
The Toronto International Film Festival runs through Sunday.
