ICFF film festival back at the Distillery

 I attended the #ICFF2024 - Italian Contemporary Film Festival Press Conference today at the Distillery District.  It returns to the Distillery from June 27 to July 22nd.

Returning for the 2nd year is the Dark Side program with more horror films and even some never seen films.

There are many international films from over 22 countries.

One of Toronto's favourite filmmakers Guillermo Del Toro will have his Shape of Water screen at the festival.

This year they will have a Norman Jewison tribute program called Jewison's Compass, with some of his films including Moonstruck, In the Heat of the Night and The Thomas Crown Affair.

There is a focus on Sustainability this year and there's a documentary called Green over Grey,  which includes a panel discussion.  There is also a Wine tasting, doc film and panel.

And with a nod to Classic Italian film there is a Fellini exhibition this year.

They are bringing back the free music concerts in the afternoons.

The films come in packages that include food tastings,  popcorn and drinks. 

The tastings are from booths around the distillery.

One of the things I would like to attend is the Cinematic Tour. $21 on a Sunday afternoon you can tour the distillery and find out where some of the Worlds greatest films were shot and there's also a scavenger hunt. Sounds fun.

And there's a haunted walk.  Since the Distillery goes way back I am sure there are lots of stories there.

I love the Italian Comedies, they are really broad comedies.

One of the films I saw at Tiff was Next Goal Wins by Taika Watiti and it will screen a couple of times.

A new Hollywood film is Space Cadet with Emma Roberts.

Another highly talked about TIFF film from Atom Egoyen is Seven Veils. 

The best part of the festival is watching it outdoors sitting on blow up couches under the twinkle lights and the stars.  Having it outdoors does come with challenges but if the day is nice it's glorious.

#ICFF2024

For more information: Schedule - ICFF - Lavazza IncluCity

For tickets:   AudienceView Professional (ovationtix.com)

Michel Gondry-Do it yourself- (Hot docs)

 

• Director: François Nemeta
• Writer: Stéphane Davet, François Nemeta
• Stars: Björk, Jack Black, Jim Carrey
• Genre: Documentary
• Time: 1hr and 20 min.
• Release Date: 2023-09-04

I watched the documentary Michel Gondry-Do it Yourself during the Hot Docs Film Festival but finally getting to the review of it now because I am behind in my reviews.

It was a very artsy documentary.  I had heard of Michel Gondry but didn't know anything about him so I was very surprised to find out about how many artist and projects that I knew that were his projects or collaborations.

Michel Gondry is definitely an original artist who has his own vision that is outside of the convention of the film and video world.

 

Some of the artists he has worked with include:

• Bjork
• Beck
• Kylie Minogue
• Daft Punk
• The Chemical Brothers
• Jack Black
• Jack White

What they have in common are artists that originate not copy and do things no one else would think of.

His film projects include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.  Considered mind-bending at the time.

This documentary is more of an art house type of film but you find out so many things about a man that is more well known to indie artist than to the public.

I found it fascinating to see how he works and where the ideas come from.

His work is like broken mirrors and abstract art.  It's messy, wonky, mad, fragmented, and crazy.

The film is worth a look especially if you grew up in the 80's because it will feel like a flashback.

I don't know where it will be shown yet but I am pretty sure this film will be one of those cult classic films that you will find at film festivals and streaming somewhere.