ScreenFish

In the midst of the SAG-AFTRA strike, film festivals continue to roll on, even if they're lacking the celebrity power that they're known for. Even so, TIFF '23 was one for the books! This week, the ScreenFish TIFF Squad regroup to debrief about the Fest that was, the films that we loved and what we learned this year.

Directed by Bishal Dutta, IT LIVES INSIDE follows Samidha (Megan Suri)—or ‘Sam’—a teenage girl who desperately wants to be accepted in her high school, even if it means separating from her oldest friend, Tamira (Mohana Krishnan). But, when Tamira approaches Sam and begs her for help, Sam soon finds herself under the influence of a mythological demonic spirit. Suddenly, she decides to step into her heritage in order to understand her new enemy and find peace. In this 1on1, we speak to Dutta about owning one's culture and making peace within.

Directed by Malden Djordjevic,  Working Class Goes to Hell follows a small-town union's struggle for justice after an industrial fire decimates a Balkan village, creating opposition as the owners evade responsibility. Ceca (Tamara Krcunovic), the leader of the labor movement, is steadfast in her efforts, but the addition of Mija to the group ignites a fascination with paganism that causes strange occurrences and the emergence of a shadowy figure who targets dishonest people.

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, Monster begins with the story of Minato (Soya Kurokawa), a young man who lives with his mother. Having lost his father as a young child, Minato begins behaving oddly, claiming that his brain has been switched with a pig. Confused and frightened for her son, Minato’s mother assumes that this is caused by his teacher Hori (Eita Nagayama). But, when she approaches the school for answers, she finds little solace, leaving her wondering how to help her son snap back into reality. In this 1on1, we speak to Kore-eda about the making of a Monster, the myth of normal and the power of perspective.

Directed by DK Welchman & Hugh Welchman, The Peasants is based non Wladyslaw Reymont’s novel of the same name. Set in early 20th Century Poland, the story follows the Jagna (Kamila Urvedowska), the most beautiful and charming woman in the village of Lipce. When she marries Maciej Boryna, a weathy widower (and the village’s ‘First Farmer’), she does so out of obligation rather than love. Fading away emotionally, Jagna soon rediscovers her passion in the arms of Antek, causing chaos within her family and the village itself. In this 1on1, we speak to DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman about the tactile nature of animation, the beauty of the 'coarse' and the power of choice.

With OPPENHEIMER, Christopher Nolan steps back into history to explore one of the key moments in human history. With the invention of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer sent a shift through the world, changing the balance of power and terror around the world. But, while one can argue that this was 'wartime', does it justify the creation of the world's greatest weapon of mass destruction? In the season finale, Victor Stiff (@VictorStiff1 ) and Ben Dower sit down to discuss the moral responsibility of progress and the power of the storyteller.

Premiering at TIFF '23, Kasey Lum's Bloom tells the story of a woman (Jodi Balfour) who returns home, only to find it empty. While she was out, her girlfriend has cleared out her clothes and abandoned the relationship. Left only with the plant that she had purchased as a gift for her lover, the woman grieves the loss by focusing her emotions on the seedling itself. In this 1on1, we speak to Lum about shooting on film, life-giving love and the scars of relationships.

Premiering at TIFF '23, Jasmin Mozaffari's Motherland tells the story of Babak, an Iranian immigrant who has found love in America in 1979. However, this is also a time when Iranians are viewed with suspicion on American soil. After accepting an invitation to meet his fiancé’s parents, he nervously attempts to connect with his potential in-laws. In this 1on1, we speak to Mozaffari about bringing her family story to life, the tension between homes and being 'sold a lie'.

Directed by Roman Liubyi, IRON BUTTERFLIES tells the story of of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 that was shot down by Russian forces as it flew over eastern Ukraine. The tragedy saw the death of 298 passengers and drew immediate denial from the Russian government and media, sparking fury in the midst of the then-ongoing war in Donbass. In this 1on1, we speak to Liubyi about what inspired the documentary and what Liubyi was trying to express through his more poetic moments within the film.

Co-directed by Nicole Bernardi-Reis, the new documentary WITH THIS LIGHT, follows Sister Maria Rosa Leggol, a nun in Honduras for over 70 years. In a landscape of systemic violence and toxicity, Sister Maria Rosa has faithfully served her people by helping children escape poverty and oppression. Through her commitment to education and social reform, she has helped over 80 000 children break the cycle of poverty and move forward into a healthier tomorrow. In this 1on1, we speak to Bernardi-Reis and producer Jessica Sarowitz about what makes Sister Maria Rosa so special and empowering young women in a world of toxic masculinity.