TIFF14: Vanguard Highlights
It hasn’t taken long for Vanguard to develop into the more mature companion of the Midnight Madness programme. While the late-night programme is often filled with crowd-pleasers, Vanguard is often filled with more challenging genre fare. It was last year that I wrote a lengthy editorial about the mass walkouts that I witnessed during a screening of the French giallo homage The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears. This year’s Vanguard line-up looks to be just as challenging, but equally intriguing. Here are some of the films that will be part of this year’s Vanguard selection: The Duke of Burgundy – Peter Strickland, United Kingdom – World Premiere
I was a big fan of Strickland’s Berberian Sound Studio when it played two years ago, so I am quite interested in his follow-up, which is about two women who test the limits of their unsettlingly intense relationship. Hyena – Gerard Johnson, United Kingdom – International Premiere
I just need to hear “gritty British thriller” to get me interested in this film. Luna – Dave McKean, United Kingdom – World Premiere
I remember starting to watch Dave McKean’s film MirrorMask and not really being too into it. However, that doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t be willing to check out his long in development follow-up. Over Your Dead Body – Takashi Miike, Japan – International Premiere
Takashi Miike is probably one of the hardest working genre directors in Japan and his latest film looks like something that could have played at Midnight Madness in its earlier days. Spring – Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, USA – World Premiere
From the directors of Resolution comes this film, which is described as Before Sunrise with a supernatural twist. And those are my highlights of the Vanguard programme. Please check the TIFF Website for the full listing and details.
