TIFF Lineup: Pam Anderson’s ‘Last Showgirl,’ Ben and J. Lo Project ‘Unstoppable,’ Papal Thriller ‘Conclave’ and More

As a long-time film enthusiast and critic with a soft spot for star-studded festivals, I can hardly contain my excitement for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) lineup of 2024! Having attended various film events throughout my career, I’ve come to appreciate the unique energy that comes with the presence of renowned actors and directors. Last year’s Hollywood labor strikes left a void in this regard, but TIFF is making up for it by welcoming back the glamour and buzz with projects from Pamela Anderson, Jennifer Lopez, Riz Ahmed, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, among others.


After the absence of notable celebrities at the Toronto International Film Festival last year due to Hollywood labor strikes, the event is once again attracting big names in entertainment.

In September, Toronto will host the world premieres of films by Pamela Anderson, Jennifer Lopez, Riz Ahmed, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and others. Notable awards contenders like “Conclave” directed by Edward Berger and “Anora” by Sean Baker will also be presented during this time.

In the exclusive segment for notable presentations, Gia Coppola is set to unveil her upcoming drama “The Last Showgirl,” featuring Anderson in the lead role. This thought-provoking production follows Anderson’s character, a dedicated dancer whose Las Vegas revue unexpectedly closes, leaving her to confront past regrets and seek new opportunities. An unfinished version of this film was showcased for potential purchasers at Cannes in May. With its star power, “The Last Showgirl” is anticipated to be among the most sought-after titles during the market leading up to TIFF in 2023.

Andrea Bocelli’s inspiring film “Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe” will be screened at the festival, in addition to Elton John’s music documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late” that was already announced. The fest’s nonfiction lineup is completed with “Piece by Piece,” an animated movie by Morgan Neville about Pharrell Williams’ life and career using Lego figures.

As a film enthusiast who has spent years immersing myself in the world of cinema, I find the upcoming narrative premieres truly captivating. These stories, each unique in their own right, promise to deliver powerful performances and thought-provoking narratives.

John Crowley, the director of “Brooklyn” and “Boy A,” is set to team up Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield for the romantic drama “We Live in Time,” which is being released by A24. In separate productions, Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, Ann Dowd, and Constance Wu will appear in “The Friend,” helmed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel. Additionally, Julianna Margulies stars in Ed Burns’ “Millers in Marriage.”

Contenders such as “Emilia Perez” by Jacques Audiard, which won at Cannes, Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada,” the well-received “All We Imagine as Light,” Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here,” Samuel L. Jackson’s “The Piano Lesson,” and Angelina Jolie’s “Without Blood” will all be shown during the awards event.

For the initial time, festival organizers are sharing behind-the-scenes information about their lineup choices. Here’s a preview of this year’s TIFF, running from September 5th to the 15th.

Read More

2024-07-22 17:17