The Circuit

Toronto has announced the addition of two Gala Presentations and seven Special Presentations to their program, including the preems of Gina Prince-Bythewood's "The Secret Life of Bees," David Koepp's "Ghost Town" (pictured, starring Ricky Gervais) and Larry Charles' "Religulous." "Waltz with Bashir" is now a Special Presentation.

From Toronto's presser:

GALAS

"Secret Life of Bees" 
Gina Prince-Bythewood, USA                                          
World Premiere
Based on the bestselling novel The Secret Life of Bees and set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning), a 14-year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Hilarie Burton).  To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Paul Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past, finding solace in the mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna. A Fox Searchlight Pictures presentation.

"The Duchess" 
Saul Dibb, United Kingdom     
International Premiere
Keira Knightly plays the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer  -- ravishing, glamorous and adored by an entire country. Determined to be a player in the wider affairs of the world, she helped usher in sweeping changes to England as a leader of the forward-thinking Whig Party.  But even as her power and popularity grew, she was haunted by the fact that the only man in England she seemingly could not seduce was her very own husband, the Duke (Ralph Fiennes).  A Paramount Vantage presentation.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

"Every Little Step"
James Stern, Adam Del Deo, USA                                            
World Premiere
A documentary on the making of Broadway’s greatest hit and current revival of “A Chorus Line.”  The film culls behind-the-scenes footage of the auditions, rehearsals and performances of the 1975 original and the 2006 Broadway revival - revealing how life imitates art as performers from both productions undergo intense experiences similar to the roles in the show itself. 

"Ghost Town"
David Koepp, USA                                                         
World Premiere
Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired.  When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. 

"Religulous"
Larry Charles, USA 
World Premiere
Political humorist and author Bill Maher (Real Time with Bill Maher, Politically Incorrect) travels around the globe interviewing people about God and religion. 

"Ashes of Time Redux" 
Wong Kar-wai, Hong Kong,China                  
North American Premiere
Wong Kar-wai's long-planned "reworking" of his only martial arts film, previously unreleased in North America. Set in ancient China, Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung) is a fallen swordsman who is afraid of love after having his heart broken. But the bounty hunters that work for him, like "Blind Swordsman" (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and Hung Chi (Jacky Cheung), discover the intangible secret of true love while Ouyang retains his attitude towards his fighters and the precious lessons that they have taught.

"Happy-Go-Lucky"
Mike Leigh, United Kingdom
North American Premiere
Poppy (Sally Hawkins), is an irrepressibly free-spirited school teacher who brings an infectious laugh and an unsinkable sense of optimism to every situation she encounters as a single woman in London.  When Poppy’s commuter bike is stolen, she enthusiastically signs up for driving lessons with Scott (Eddie Marsan), who turns out to be her polar opposite - a fuming, uptight cynic.
    
"RocknRolla"
Guy Ritchie                                              
North American Premiere
When a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, millions of dollars are up for grabs, and all of London’s criminal underworld wants in on the action. Everyone from a dangerous crime lord to a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and down-on-their-luck petty thieves conspire, collude and collide with one another in an effort to get rich quick.

"Waltz with Bashir" 
Ari Folman, Israel/France/Germany                                                        
North American Premiere                                                          
One night in a bar, an old friend tells director Ari Folman about a recurring nightmare. The two men conclude that there is a connection to their Israeli Army mission in the Lebanon War in the early 1980s. An astonishing and powerful animated feature that journeys into the director's memory in search of some missing pieces.