The Toronto Film Festival is almost a month away and that means there are more films still to be announced as part of the 2023 slate. Today, TIFF revealed the 10 movies selected as part of the competition Platform program. They include works from 12 countries across three continents including Kristoffer Borgli’s follow-up to “Sick of Myself,” “Dream Scenario” which just happens to star Nicholas Cage.
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While the Platform program is entering its eighth year, it has included notable works such as Barry Jenkins’ “Moonlight,” Pablo Larrain’s “Jackie,” William Oldroyd’s “Lady Macbeth,” Armando Iannucci’s “The Death of Stalin,” Darius Marder’s “Sound of Metal,” and Alice Winocour’s “Proxima,” among others.
Robyn Citizen, Director, Programming & Platform Lead, noted, “We are thrilled to present this year’s extraordinary films in the Platform programme, and especially delighted to present Kristoffer Borgli’s latest film ‘Dream Scenario,’ starring Nicolas Cage, as Platform’s opening film. This surrealist satire-comedy has sharp, timely observations about social media culture — especially ‘going viral’ — and its impact on the way that we interact with others in our day-to-day life. Cage delivers some of his finest work. This year’s diverse selection is distinguished by bold character studies and classic stories told through dynamic narrative and genre approaches. Audiences will witness the emergence of thematic threads like social exile and reconnection, woven in unexpectedly thrilling ways by an array of captivating local and international voices.”
“Scenario” is an A24 Films production that has not been dated at this time. The cast also includes Michael Cera, Julianne Nicholson, Kate Berlant, and Tim Meadows, among others. Whether Cage and the actors in other selected films appear in person in Toronto remains to be seen. In today’s release, the festival noted, “TIFF will respect SAG-AFTRA protocols regarding the participation of its members at the Festival.” Read into that what you will.
Jenkins will actually be one of three jury members for this year’s slate. He’ll be joined by Cannes jury prize filmmaker Nadine Labaki and Anthony Shim whose film “Riceboy Sleeps” won the Platform Prize less than a year ago.
Anita Lee, Chief Programming Officer, remarked, “I am delighted to announce that we have an international dream jury with acclaimed filmmakers Barry Jenkins, Nadine Labaki, and Anthony Shim as jury members for the Platform programme at TIFF. Together, they represent the bold and independent spirit of the Platform Prize.”
A complete list of this year’s films is as follows:
Dear Jassi Tarsem Singh Dhandwar | India – *Opening Night Film*
World Premiere
Dream Scenario Kristoffer Borgli | USA
World Premiere
Great Absence Kei Chika-ura | Japan
World Premiere
I Told You So (Te l’avevo detto) Ginevra Elkann | Italy
World Premiere
The King Tide Christian Sparkes | Canada
World Premiere
Not A Word (Kein Wort) Hanna Slak | Germany/Slovenia/France
World Premiere
The Rye Horn (O Corno) Jaione Camborda | Spain/Belgium/Portugal
World Premiere
Sisterhood (HLM Pussy) Nora El Hourch | France
World Premiere
Shame on Dry Land (Syndabocken) Axel Petersén | Sweden
World Premiere
Spirit of Ecstasy (La Vénus d’argent) Héléna Klotz | France
World Premiere
The 2023 Toronto International Film Festival will run from Sept. 7-17.
