Three Monkeys Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Turkey/France/Italy
North American Premiere
Winner of Best Director at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Climates, TIFF 2006) tells the story of a dislocated family battling the odds to stay together by covering up the truth.
Ed Harris, USA
World Premiere
Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen, Renée Zellweger and Jeremy Irons star in the Western Appaloosa, adapted from the Robert B. Parker novel. Set in the Old West territory of New Mexico, Appaloosa revolves around a pair of hired guns (Harris and Mortensen) who come to clean up a dangerous town run by a ruthless, powerful rancher (Irons) and his band of outlaws. While boldly bringing new order to the town, the two fearless lawmen meet a provocative outsider (Zellweger) whose unconventional ways threaten to destroy their decade-old bond. Appaloosa is co-written and directed by Ed Harris.
Adela Adolfo Alix Jr., Philippines
International Premiere
Adela is celebrating her 80th birthday. She tries to treat it like any other day, going out on her normal daily routines. But, desperately longing for her family, Adela cannot hide her loneliness. Director Adolfo Alix Jr. has crafted a deeply compassionate portrait of the plight of the elderly in the Philippines, anchored by a bravura lead performance by veteran actress Anita Linda.
Three Wise Men Mika Kaurismäki, Finland
World Premiere
Acclaimed Finnish director Mika Kaurismäki (LA Without a Map, TIFF 1998) offers a raw and often hilarious drama about a trio of antiheroes – an expectant father, a ladies’ man and a failed actor – who escape their family woes for a karaoke bar on Christmas Eve.
Linha de Passe Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas, Brazil
North American Premiere
In the heart of São Paulo, four fatherless brothers try to find a way out from their preordained paths. Reuniting directors Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries, TIFF 2004) and Thomas, Linha de Passe garnered Best Actress (Sandra
Corveloni) at Cannes 2008.
RocknRolla Guy Ritchie, United Kingdom
North American Premiere
When a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, millions of dollars are up for grabs, and all of London’s criminal underworld wants in on the action. Everyone from a dangerous crime lord to a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and down-on-their-luck petty thieves conspire, collude and collide with one another in an effort to get rich quick. Written and directed by Guy Ritchie, RocknRolla stars Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Chris Bridges, Jeremy Piven and Idris Elba.
Passchendaele Paul Gross, Canada
World Premiere
Passchendaele, written, directed and produced by celebrated Canadian filmmaker Paul Gross. Co-produced by Niv Fichman, Frank Siracusa and Francis Damberger, Passchendaele stars Gross (Men with Brooms, “Due South,” “Slings & Arrows”), Caroline Dhavernas (Hollywoodland, Breach, Niagara Motel), Gil Bellows (The Shawshank Redemption, “Ally McBeal”) and Joe Dinicol (George A. Romero's Diary of the Dead, “Train 48”).Set during the height of the First World War, Passchendaele tells the story of Sgt. Michael Dunne (Gross), a soldier who is brutally wounded in France and returns home to Calgary emotionally and physically scarred. While in the military hospital in Calgary, he meets Sarah (Dhavernas), a mysterious and attractive nurse with whom he falls passionately in love. When Sarah’s younger brother David (Dinicol) – despite suffering from severe asthma – signs up to fight in Europe, Michael is compelled to return to the battlefield to protect him. Alongside thousands of other courageous Canadians, David and Michael are sent to fight in the third battle of Ypres. Commonly known as “Passchendaele,” it is a battle against impossible odds.