This is an archive of our 2004 Coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival

THE IMAGE FOR THE 2004 FEST

Is it September again already?

The 2004 fest already has an air of controversy hanging over it, due in large part to a low-budget Canadian documentary of all things! Sure, The Art of Killing a Cat is a provocative subtitle, but the things being said about this film even before its screened are pretty vitriolic. Protests can be expected, of course, but let's hope that some people actually see the film before judging it.

At the same time, this is a big year for sex-themed films, particularly stories involving extremely young women. It's hard not to think of the fest as a den of depravity, with animal torture and Lolita-like-lust flicks getting most of the pre-fest buzz, but there's always Shark Tale to tempt the timid.

A personal fav of mine, David Gordon Greene is back with Undertow, while perennial fav Kim-Ki Duk is here with 3-Iron. Wouldn't you know it, day one of screening schedule, and they play within a 1/2 hour of each other.

The fest is once again extremely top-heavy, with the opening few days getting the large brunt of anticipated screenings. There's also quite a bit of Oscar buzz, especially about Jamie Foxx's turn as Ray Charles. With a concert by The Weavers, several films about the Rwandan genocide, and a Jiminy Glick closing film, the fest promises to be once again a diverse, exciting, and, well, refreshingly controversal 10 days.

May the fest be with you,

Jason Gorber
Filmfest.ca / TorontoFilmfest.ca

Please note: if you are looking for the official site of the Toronto International Film Festival,
it can be found at bell.ca/filmfest. Silly of you to think this was it, no? Still, while you're here, enjoy the site! Just don't call my cell looking for ticket schedules please... :)