Toronto International Film Festival Opens with BEING JULIA

The 29th annual Toronto International Film Festival is one of the largest Festivals in the world. Not a Market unlike the Cannes Film Festival, Toronto highlights films from all around the world with a focus on film and less hype. With 328 films that will screen during the 29th Toronto International Film Festival, over half are World Premieres. The Festival is set to run from September 9th to the 18th 2004, in Toronto, Canada and the complete lineup is a true gift to cinema lovers.

Opening the prestigious Festival this year is BEING JULIA, staring Annette Bening, Jeremy Irons, Directed by Ivstvan Szabo, Screenplay by Ronald Harwood, based on the W. Somerset Maugham novel, produced by Serendipity Point Films and being distributed by ThinkFilms.

A lush period piece set in London 1938, BEING JULIA shares the story of Julia Lambert portrayed by Annette Bening, an actress who has had much success on the stage. Beautiful, smart, charming and intriguing, Julia has been on a pinnacle of the London for years and the years are now coming to a crossroads. Facing the hands of time Julia finds herself seeing the roles segway into the matron and not the maid any longer. Her husband, Michael Gosselyn, played by Jeremy Iron, is a talent Producer and the marriage has been rewarding but has now transcends into a relationship of mutual respect and understanding.

With Julia longing for excitement and passion along comes one of her so called “greatest fan” Tom Fennell played by exciting newcomer Shaun Evans. Finding his ardor irresistible Julia is swept away to an enrapturing affair that fulfills her ego, and sensual nature. This young man feeds her spirit but then develops more of a controlling relationship as he attempts to demean her to a lower position in the affair. Summoning her inner strengths, Julia concocts an intelligent revenge that brings her back to the top of her game on the stage. Supported by a witty script, rich and vibrant costumes the delicate approach to character portrayals have the audience enjoying the repartee of a strong woman of her time.

Bening and Iron were on hand at the Red Carpet to add to the Gala Opening Night. During the Festival a number of top Hollywood and world stars will be on hand to promote and see the newest in films the world film industry has to offer. Other films to screen at the Festival are STAGE BEAUTY, Claire Danes, Ray, Jamie Fox, SHARK TALE, BEYOND THE SEA, Kevin Spacey, and I LOVE HUCKABEES.

A total of 253 feature films, 75 shorts and with an amazing count of over 207 of those having their world, international or North American premieres at the Festival this year. Festival organizers indicated that they received more than 3,300 submissions this year from 61 countries. Of the shorts screened most are Canadian presentations with the very best of contemporary and student films available. The Festival seeks to highlight Canadian filmmakers and rightly so as the country has seen the popularity and quality grown and develop into a powerhouse of films in the past years.

The Festival will have the world watch with the top people within the film industry, stars, director, producers and the newest, best and brightest converge at the 20th annual Toronto Film Festival. The Festival runs from September 9th to the 18th, 2004 and will have over 65,000 people participate in one of the world largest film festivals. The Toronto Film Festival groups is an on going program that’s mission acts as a charitable, cultural and educational organization devoted to celebrating excellence in film and the moving image. For more information please visit www.bell.ca/filmfest
Keiko Beatie
Ambiance