July 29, 2008
NEWS RELEASE #17

TIFF DOCUMENTARIES EXPLORE WORLDS OF YOUSSOU NDOUR, VALENTINO, LEBRON
JAMES, JIMMY PAGE, AGNÈS VARDA, ECO-WARRIORS, ‘68 REBELS, SWINGERS AND
MORE!

Toronto– The Toronto International Film Festival announces 26
documentaries to screen in various programmes as part of TIFF08. One
documentary will screen in Mavericks,two will screen as Special
Presentations, one as a Masters title, and 22 as part of Real to Reel,
showcasing the finest in non-fiction cinema from around the world.
Highlights include a look at a fashion master in Valentino: The Last
Emperor and a self-portrait of French auteur Agnès Varda in Les Plages
d’Agnès. Guitar heroes Jimmy Page, The Edge and Jack White are
profiled in It Might Get Loud. Two films, Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I
Loveand Soul Power, explore the musical exchange between Africa and
abroad. Three films examine crusading eco-warriors – controversial
Canadian activist Paul Watson in At the Edge of the World, authors Eric
Schlosser and Michael Pollan in Food, Inc. and Native Americans of the
Hoopa tribe in Upstream Battle. Two films revisit cases of injustice –
from the courtrooms of California in Witch Hunt to a tarnished legacy in
Israel in Killing Kasztner. Several films intersect with various sports,
including kung fu masters in The Real Shaolin and LeBron James’s high
school basketball team in More Than a Game. Two films have the backdrop
of Ivy League schools in the tumultuous year of 1968, with Tommy Lee
Jones playing college football in Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 and student
strikers at Columbia University in A Time to Stir. Not to mention the
sexual revolution uncovered in American Swing.

“Documentary-making continues to flourish,” says Thom Powers,
Documentary and Mavericks Programmer. “Every year there are more films
that command the big screen. There has been a short-sighted focus on the
recent lack of a documentary blockbuster. In the larger picture, more
docs are getting funded and released theatrically than ever before.”

Now live at tiff08.ca/blogs, the Festival’s Doc Blog returns to offer
visitors all of the exciting details and comprehensive information
surrounding this year's inspired non-fiction films, and will feature
contributions from programmers and filmmakers alike. Ticket packages now
on sale. Purchase online at tiff08.ca, by phone at 416-968-FILM or
1-877-968-FILM or in person at the Festival Box Office at Manulife
Centre, 55 Bloor Street West (main floor, north entrance). Box Office
hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The 33rd Toronto
International Film Festival runs September 4 through 13, 2008.


MAVERICKS

A Time to Stir Paul Cronin, USA


Work in Progress
This epic four-hour work looks at the tumultuous events of the Columbia
University student strike in 1968 that ended in police violence and
signaled a dramatic political shift between old left and new left. The
film captures the intoxicating uprising and sobering aftermath,
interviewing students, professors and police. Screening on the last day
of the Festival, this special Mavericks presentation will include a
discussion with three active participants of the strike: Mark Rudd of
Students for a Democratic Society (who later was a member of the Weather
Underground), Bill Sales of the Student Afro-American Society and
Carolyn Eisenberg, who served on the strike committee.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love Chai Vasarhelyi, USA


World Premiere

One of Africa’s most prominent musical exports, Youssou Ndour’s
distinctive tenor voice became internationally known through a string of
popular tracks, including collaborations with Peter Gabriel and the hit
“7 Seconds” with Neneh Cherry. Having used his fame to draw attention
to a range of political issues, Ndour was named one of Time Magazine’s
100 most influential people in the world in 2007. Several years in the
making, Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love follows Ndour as he releases
the deeply personal album Egypt as an expression of his Islamic faith,
challenging Western stereotypes of the religion while stirring
controversy in his home country of Senegal.

Valentino: The Last Emperor Matt Tyrnauer, USA


North American Premiere
Filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer (Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair
magazine) gains unprecedented access to the renowned fashion designer
and his entourage, offering an intimate, engaging, and very funny
fly-on-the-wall exploration of the singular world of one of Italy's
richest and most famous men. Telling the story of the famous designer's
extraordinary life, remarkable artistry and unique relationship with his
business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti,
Valentino: The Last Emperor documents the colourful and dramatic closing
act of Valentino's celebrated career while exploring the larger themes
affecting the fashion business today.
MASTERS

Les Plages d’Agnès Agnès Varda, France


North American Premiere
Legendary filmmaker Agnès Varda looks back on her life and work, using
beaches as a window to memory. In Belgium, California, the South of
France and in Paris, Varda composed her own self-portrait via
photographs, film clips and some surprising encounters.

REAL TO REEL

After the Race Nikolaus Geyrhalter, Austria


World Premiere
Following the tracks of the famous Dakar rally, filmmaker Nikolaus
Geyrhalter (Our Daily Bread) sets off on a journey from Europe to
Africa, documenting European ideas of and prejudices toward Africans,
and vice versa.

American Swing Matthew Kaufman, USA


World Premiere
Chronicling the rise and fall of the notorious public sex club Plato’s
Retreat and its quixotic owner, American Swing captures the hedonistic
heyday of New York nightlife in the 1970s. As the city hurtled toward
bankruptcy and social unrest, its citizens partied on.

At the Edge of the World Dan Stone, USA


World Premiere
Controversial Canadian eco-warrior Paul Watson leads two ships of his
Sea Shepherd volunteers on a pirate-like voyage, full of breathless
suspense, to stop Japanese whaling vessels in the Antarctica Sea.

The Biggest Chinese Restaurant in the World Weijun Chen, China


World Premiere
The director of last year's crowd-pleaser Please Vote For Me returns
with a look at the West Lake Restaurant in Changsha, China – the world’s
largest restaurant. With a staff of nearly 1000 (including 300 chefs)
and 5000 seats, West Lake is a combination theme park and eatery,
offering a cross section of the country's changing society.

Blood Trail Richard Parry, UK


World Premiere
War photographer Robert King let a camera crew follow him for over 15
years. From his first assignment in Bosnia to his breakthrough work in
Chechnya, and on to his recent coverage in Iraq, Blood Trail is an
extraordinary look at this difficult and dangerous profession.

Citizen Juling Ing K, Kraisak Choonhavan and Manit Sriwanichpoom;
Thailand

World Premiere
A powerfully humanistic documentary that examines the issue of Islamic
insurgency in Southern Thailand within the context of the country’s
unstable democracy, triggered after a Buddhist teacher, Juling, was
kidnapped and found lying in a pool of blood.

The Dungeon Master Keven McAlester, USA


World Premiere
This whimsical look at three adults deeply involved with Dungeons &
Dragons explores how the game affects their lives and relationships,
with finely crafted cinematography by Lee Daniel (known for his work
with Richard Linklater) and a music score by Blonde Redhead.

Food, Inc. Robert Kenner, USA


World Premiere
Drawing upon the reportage of Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) and
Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma), this searing investigation
explores the dramatic changes that big business has imposed on how and
what we eat.

From Mother to Daughter Andrea Zambelli, Italy


World Premiere
After the Second World War, many young Italian women earned their
living in the rice fields, spending hours every day working under the
hot sun. Over 50 years later, having lost none of their spirit, they
rekindle their friendships by forming a singing group.

Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 Kevin Rafferty, USA


World Premiere
Kevin Rafferty, co-director of Atomic Café, examines the tumult of 1968
through the memories of football players (including Tommy Lee Jones) who
took part in a legendary game that year between rival Ivy League schools
whose student bodies included Al Gore (Harvard) and George Bush (Yale).

It Might Get Loud David Guggenheim, USA


World Premiere
The Academy Award™-winning director of An Inconvenient Truth celebrates
the electric guitar by examining the creative process of three virtuosos
– Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge of U2 and Jack White of The White
Stripes – including their individual development of songs not yet
released.

Killing Kasztner Gaylen Ross, USA


World Premiere
Dr. Israel Kasztner helped rescue over 1,600 Hungarian Jews during the
Second World War, yet he was later branded a traitor by right-wing
extremists in Israel and assassinated. Uncovering new revelations about
the case, this film explores Kasztner's legacy.

More Than a Game Kristopher Belman, USA


World Premiere
First-time filmmaker Kristopher Belman had the foresight to follow the
journey of a remarkable high school basketball team in Akron, Ohio, that
happened to include future NBA superstar LeBron James.

The Real Shaolin Alexander Sebastien Lee, China/USA


World Premiere
Rich with dazzling displays of Kung Fu, this film follows two Chinese
and two western students as they undergo a year of rigorous training in
martial arts at the Shaolin temple in Central China.

Sea Point Days François Verster, South Africa


World Premiere
Lying on the coast of Cape Town, there is one public space where
everyone seems to come together: the Sea Point Promenade and Municipal
Pools. Set between city and ocean, this beautiful strip of “everyman’s
land” offers a quirky mix of class, race, gender and religion – a place
where South Africans of all backgrounds can experience happiness
together. But is all as it appears?

Soul Power Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, USA


World Premiere
With performances by James Brown, B.B. King, Bill Withers, The Spinners
and more, Soul Power documents the vibrant and powerful concert that
accompanied George Foreman and Muhammad Ali’s “Rumble in the Jungle” in
Zaire in 1974.

Unmistaken Child Nati Baratz, Israel


World Premiere
Declared the greatest Tibetan master of our time, Lama Konchog passed
away in 2001, at the age of 84. In this visually stunning, emotionally
gripping documentary, shot over the course of four years, Lama Konchog’s
shy and devoted disciple, Tenzin Zopa, must search for his master’s
reincarnation – an “unmistakable child” – and successfully remove him
from his parents’ care.

Witch Hunt Dana Nachman and Don Hardy, USA


World Premiere
Voters in Bakersfield, California, elected a tough-on-crime District
Attorney into office for more than 25 years. During his tenure, dozens
of innocent working class moms and dads were sent to prison on charges
of sexual abuse. Executive producer Sean Penn presents and narrates this
gripping indictment of the American justice system told through the lens
of one small town.

Yes Madam, Sir Megan Doneman, Australia/India


World Premiere
Narrated by Helen Mirren, Yes Madam, Sir portrays the life story of
India’s first woman police officer. Adored by the masses and vilified by
her critics, Karin Bedi has publicly fought high-level corruption and
brutal opposition, at great personal and professional cost.

Peace Mission Dorothee Wenner, Germany


International Premiere
The Nigerian home-movie industry has risen to immense popularity
throughout Africa. Founder of the African Academy, Peace
Anyiam-Fiberesima presents a guided tour through “Nollywood,” taking the
audience to film locations, markets and celebrity hangouts in Lagos to
meet key personalities from the Nigerian film industry.

Shakespeare and Victor Hugo’s Intimacies Yulene Olaizola, Mexico

North American Premiere
Twenty years ago, Rosa met Jorge, a young tenant in her lodging house
at the corner of Shakespeare and Victor Hugo streets in Mexico City. But
after Jorge’s sudden death, Rosa began to discover a darker side of the
man who had become her closest friend.

Upstream Battle Ben Kempas, Germany


North American Premiere
An intricate political battle plays out over water in Northern
California, pitting Native American activist Merv George of the Hoopa
tribe against an international power company that has Warren Buffett as
a major shareholder.

These films join the previously announced Religulous (Larry Charles,
USA), Every Little Step (James Stern and Adam Del Deo, USA), Waltz with
Bashir (Ari Folman, Israel/France/Germany), Blind Loves (Juraj Lehotský,
Slovakia), Examined Life (Astra Taylor, Canada), La Mémoire des anges
(Luc Bourdon, Canada) and Under Rich Earth (Malcolm Rogge, Canada) as
documentary titles announced to date.