Film festivals are great. I haven’t been to many, but I had a great time in those that I have gone to. I find them to be a great form of tourism. You have a great selection of films; you have enough time in town and meet enough people to get informed about good places to eat; the town itself becomes a really happening place, with tons of live music, exhibitions, parties and the like. So there’s lots to do even if you don’t want to watch three movies a day like me (you should watch at least two… hell, do what you want, I don’t care. But don’t come crying to me if you miss the best film ever). When you have such quality cities like Venice and Toronto hosting so many quality movies, you really can’t lose (except for your sense of reality sometimes, but it passes). By the way, I do expect something for this improvised advertising, so be in touch Venice and Toronto’s tourism offices. In short, I highly recommend you go to either or both of these two great festivals. And if you go, I have a couple of tips for you:

a. Hurry, because the Biennale in Venice has already begun.

b. Go see these promising films:

Venice

1. The Master (2012)

Paul Thomas Anderson returns after a five-year break, with a period drama telling the story of a veteran soldier (Joaquin Phoenix) getting involved with a charismatic preacher of a cult (Philip Seymour Hoffman). Only by mentioning his last offering, There Will Be Blood, you understand why this is a highly anticipated movie.

2. Passion (2012)

If you’re gonna see PTA’s comeback, it’s only right you go see Brian De Palma’s new film as well. It’s a thriller (and a remake of the French film Crime d’amour) about a vengeful businesswoman. BDP also lay low for five years… I wonder if any paparazzi caught the two directors together. BDP with ATP, it has a nice ring to it.

3. To the Wonder (2012)

The always intriguing, mysterious Terrence Malick has decided to pick up the slack of the two former slacker directors, and comes back with a second movie in as many years. This romantic drama, starring Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams and Javier Bardem, has already caused a stir when the enigmatic cinematographer cut out the roles of Rachel Weisz, Barry Pepper, Amanda Peet and Michael Sheen (by no order of importance, except for Weisz). I usually find his films more interesting than bloated, so I would go watch it, and it’s a romantic drama, so probably not as philosophical (I will not be held responsible if wrong).

4. Après mai (2012)

Olivier Assayas is another intriguing director. With such diverse films like Clean, Irma Vep, Demolover and Carlos under the French director’s name, you can bet that his tale of a teenager’s life during the tumultuous 70s in France will get an original take.

5. The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012)

If you’ve seen Monsoon Wedding or Salaam Bombay, you know you’d like to check out Mira Nair’s new film (even if Kate Hudson stars in it). It tells the story of a Pakistani man working on Wall Street, and torn between his homeland on one side and his greed and ambition on the other.

Toronto

1. Beyond the Hills (2012)

Christian Mungiu, who collected the Palme d’or at Cannes with 4 Months, 3 week, an 2 Days comes to Toronto with his latest film, a period piece about friendship, clergy and the oppression of women. It has already won a couple of awards at this year’s Cannes festival, so although you know it’s gonna be bleak and depressing, you know you gotta see it.

2. In Another Country (2012)

French veteran actress Isabelle Huppert always has interesting choices in films. Her latest is by Korean director Sang-soo Hong, whose style is always interesting (see Hahaha). The fact that Huppert plays three different characters sounds suited to this French chameleon’s style, so you know you’re in for an acting tour de force.

3. Looper (2012)

Joseph Gordon-Levitt cannot seem to stop acting. The Third Rock from the Sun alumni is working like an actor possessed these days, surpassed only by Ryan Gosling and Michael Fassbender. Here he stars alongside Bruce Willis and Emily Blunt in a time traveling thriller that looks like 12 Monkeys meets Inception. Here’s hoping.

4. The Company You Keep (2012)

Was there a threesome on Director’s Island for the past five years, and nobody told me? Robert Redford is another heavyweight director coming back after a fiver with a thriller. This one’s starring Shia LaBeouf, Anna Kendrick and a plethora of great actors. Any questions? Didn’t think so…

5. Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)

I’m kinda reluctant to write ‘Bill Murray playing President FDR’, because this is enough to make you wanna see this movie, and that will make me feel kinda redundant. What the hell, I don’t care. For those who still have doubts I will add that this is a romantic comedy. Everybody thinks of Roosevelt as a romantic figure, so I’m surprised this is the first comedy about him.

Other prominent films showing in these two festivals are Kim Ki-Duk’s Pieta, Takeshi Kitano’s Outrage Beyond, Ramin Bahrani’s At Any Price, Michael Winterbottom’s Everyday, and Michael Haneke’s Amour. Enjoy!

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Technorati Tags: Film festival, Venice, Toronto The Master, Paul Thomas Anderson, Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, There Will Be Blood, Passion, Brian De Palma, thriller, Crime d’amour, To the Wonder, Ben Affleck, Rachel McAdams, Javier Bardem, Rachel Weisz, Barry Pepper, Amanda Peet, Michael Sheen, romantic drama, Après mai, Olivier Assayas, Clean, Irma Vep, Demolover, Carlos, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Monsoon Wedding, Salaam Bombay, Mira Nair, Kate Hudson, Beyond the Hills, Christian Mungiu, Palme d’or, Cannes festival, In Another Country, Isabelle Huppert, Sang-soo Hong, Looper, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Third Rock from the Sun, Ryan Gosling, Michael Fassbender, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, 12 Monkeys, Inceptio, The Company You Keep, Robert Redford, thriller, Shia LaBeouf, Anna Kendrick, Hyde Park on Hudson, Bill Murray, romantic comedy, Roosevelt, Kim Ki-Duk, Pieta, Takeshi Kitano, Outrage Beyond, Ramin Bahrani, At Any Price, Michael Winterbottom, Everyday, Michael Haneke, Amour

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