The Circuit

Premieres from Takeshi Kitano, (pictured below) Hirokazu Kore-eda, (above) and "Full Monty" producer Uberto Pasolini are among the next batch announced by Toronto, adding to existing programs.

"The festival has always been dedicated to showcasing the best in films from Asia for our diverse Toronto audiences," said co-director Cameron Bailey. "With programmer Raymond Phathanavirangoon now selecting our films from Southeast Asia, TIFF has increased its focus on the vibrant film communities in this region, paving the way for a significant presence of Asian cinema at this year's Festival."


SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
 
"Kanchivaram"
Priyadarshan, India
World Premiere
Vengadam is a born optimist and weaver of saris, but his lowly status means he can never afford the fashions he creates. At the birth of his daughter he pledges to wrap her in the finest silk on the day of her wedding, dismaying his community who believe that, if such a promise is not fulfilled, a curse will follow.
 
"Still Walking"
Hirokazu Kore-eda, Japan                                                                                                                        International Premiere
A son and daughter return to the family home where their parents have lived for decades, bringing their own young families along with them. They have gathered to commemorate the tragic death of the eldest son, who drowned in an accident fifteen years earlier. Although the roomy house is as comforting and unchanging as the mother's homemade feast, everyone in the family has changed subtly. From the director of "After Life" (TIFF 1998) and "Hana" (TIFF 2006).
 
"Plastic City" 
Yu Lik-wai, Brazil/China                                                                                                                      
North American Premiere
In the São Paulo neighbourhood of Liberdade - home to one of world's largest populations of Japanese immigrants - Yuda, a feared Chinese outlaw, and his adopted son Kirin, an impulsive young dreamer, together rule the pirated goods racket in the ultra-liberal Brazilian metropolis. But a conspiracy between politicians and the mafia begins to threaten Yuda's power. Tired of the bloodshed and feeling the weight of his years, Yuda returns to the jungle in a last attempt to put an end to his life as a criminal.

 
MASTERS
 
"Achilles and the Tortoise" 
Takeshi Kitano, Japan                                                                                                              
North American Premiere
Written, directed and edited by Takeshi Kitano, Achilles and the Tortoise tells the story of Machisu (Kitano), an aging man determined to fulfill his life-long dream of becoming a painter. Featuring roughly 70 pieces of Kitano's own artwork, Achilles and the Tortoise is the final film in the acclaimed Japanese filmmaker's self-reflective trilogy.
 
VISIONS

"The Sky Crawlers" 
Mamoru Oshii, Japan                                                                                                                            
North American Premiere
Celebrated animated film director Mamoru Oshii ("Ghost in the Shell") delves into a world that is eradicated by war, where private contractors enlist fighter pilots known as Kildren to perform in an endless war that people watch on TV.
 
VANGUARD

"Ocean Flame" 
Liu Fendou, Hong Kong/China                                                                                                     
North American Premiere
Recently released from prison, shameless blackmailer Yao relives the story of how he came to meet and fall in love with Li Chuan, a waitress at a quaint beachfront coffee shop. Pulling her out of her simple existence, Yao quickly lures Li Chuan into his criminal world, forcing her to join his prostitution ring in order to keep him in her life.
 
CONTEMPORARY WORLD CINEMA
 
"Firaaq" 
Nandita Das, India                                                                                                                                                             
World Premiere
The directorial debut of celebrated Indian actress Nandita Das, Firaaq traces the emotional journey of those caught up in the religious clashes that took place in the Indian state of Gujarat in early 2002.
 
"In the Shadow of the Naga" 
Phawat Panangkasiri, Thailand                                                                                            
World Premiere
After hiding a large sum of money on temple grounds, three robbers return to find that a monastery has been built on top of their stash. To retrieve their booty, they have no choice but to become ordained as monks.
 
"Under the Tree" 
Garin Nugroho, Indonesia                                                                                                                                             
World Premiere         
Indonesian filmmaker Garin Nugroho ("Opera Jawa," TIFF 2006) tells a story of three women coming to terms with issues of paternity.
 
"Treeless Mountain" 
So Yong Kim, South Korea                                                                                                                   
World Premiere
Inspired by her own life, writer and director So Yong Kim follows up her directorial debut, "In Between Days" (TIFF 2006), with the story of Jin, a feisty six-year-old who lives with her mother and little sister in a cramped apartment in Pusan, South Korea.
 
"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.

"All Around Us"  Ryosuke Hashiguchi, Japan                                                                                                                               
International Premiere
At work, Kanao, a courtroom portrait artist, silently observes the highest-profile crimes and scandals of the 1990s. At home, amid the joys of marriage, he quietly observes his wife's first pregnancy. But when their child dies, Kanao must support his ailing spouse as she sinks into depression, guiding her toward recovery in the face of tragedy.
 
"Machan" 
Uberto Pasolini, United Kingdom/Italy/Germany/Sri Lanka                                                                  
North American Premiere
Convinced that submitting a bogus application to the German Embassy is not the worst thing one can do, a group of young Sri Lankans set out to assemble the Sri Lanka National Handball Team from a mismatched collection of friends, colleagues, creditors, policemen - anyone willing to stretch the truth in exchange for a one way ticket to the West.
 

New Spanish-language titles are here.