TIFF ANNOUNCES SPANISH-LANGUAGE FILM TITLES
Toronto – The 31st Toronto International Film Festival is set to screen the International or North American premiere of seven Spanish-language films from a diverse range of countries. Running September 7 to 16, 2006, the Festival dedicates itself to the exhibition of the most thought-provoking international cinema, offering these selections as some of the finest contemporary filmmaking from Spanish-speaking nations the world over.

Sharing common themes of personal struggle, growth, isolation, and disillusionment, these selections offer an intimate glimpse into the lives of their central characters and reflect social trends in Spanish and Latin American culture.

THE DOG POUND Manuel Nieto Nas, Uruguay/Argentina/Canada/Spain, Contemporary World Cinema
North American Premiere
The Toronto International Film Festival is deeply saddened by the tragic passing last week of Juan Pablo Rebella, a talented young director, producer, and screenwriter whose work in and passion for the art of cinema has touched many. The Festival is proud to present THE DOG POUND, a film co-produced by Rebella. Having been cast aside by his girlfriend and consequentially failing his university exams, David, a young, urban intellectual, sets up shop in the seaside resort town of La Perrera during the off-season – a town where women are scarce and the population of dogs is equal to that of men. Egged on by his father, David begins building his own house, unenthusiastically working away against the lethargy of the approaching winter while at once facing the weathering effects of boredom, isolation and marginalization brought on by small-town rural life.

DARKBLUEALMOSTBLACK Daniel Sánchez Arévalo, Spain, Discovery International Premiere
Too long has Jorge been putting his life on hold, juggling to finish school while caring for his ailing father. If that were not enough, Jorge has been forced to take over his father’s job as a janitor. Poised to make a fresh start, Jorge forms an unusual relationship with jailbird Paula, one that will help him realize that he is indeed capable of assuming control over his own life.

THE SILLY AGE Pavel Giroud, Cuba/Spain/Venezuela, Discovery International Premiere
Havana 1958. When her most recent attempt at romance disintegrates, Alicia and her son Samuel arrive on the doorstep of her mother, a brazen woman unimpressed by the idea of giving up her relished privacy and sharing her space. As mother and daughter relentlessly clash, 10-year-old Samuel grows restless. Influenced by his grandmother’s unsociable behaviour, Samuel transforms from obedient angel to rebellious menace.

AUGUST’S DAYS Marc Recha, Spain, Visions North American Premiere
Following an exhaustive and unresolved search for their missing friend, twin brothers Marc and David attempt to put some distance between themselves and the situation by taking a road trip across the interior of Catalonia. With no itinerary, casual encounters see the two brothers meeting locals and fellow travelers along the way.

FANTASMA Lisandro Alonso, Argentina/Netherlands/France, Visions North American Premiere
Atmospheric and experimental, Alonso’s film follows Argentino Vargas (the protagonist in Alonso’s LOS MUERTOS) as he makes his way through a large theatre – having never stepped foot inside one before – in search of the room where the film in which he stars is being screened. Also roaming the theatre space is Misael Saavedra (of Alonso’s LIBERTAD), getting lost as he encounters the building’s many rooms and corridors. The two are strangers to this environment, which itself becomes the film’s true protagonist.

PAN’S LABYRINTH Guillermo Del Toro, Spain, Special Presentation North American Premiere
Set against the backdrop of a fascist regime in 1944 rural Spain, Del Toro (HELLBOY, BLADE II) explores the mind of a lonely child with an active imagination. As her family copes with post-war repression, Ofelia enters into a world of her own creation – a world full of mystical creatures, secrets and fabled destinies.

GLUE – A TEENAGE STORY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE Alexis dos Santos, Argentina, Discovery
North American Premiere
To clear his mind of problems at home, 15-year-old Lucas fills the hot summer days by succumbing to his adolescent desires – experimenting with drugs, music and sex alongside two cohorts equally bored with life in their small desert town. Based on a 17-page script, the largely improvised film blends Super 8 and video for an unconventional take on classic coming-of-age stories.

Contemporary World Cinema is made possible through the generous support of Sun Life Financial.
Discovery is made possible through the generous support of DIESEL Canada.
Visions is made possible through the generous support of SWAROVSKI.