TIFF Adds Lady Gaga Documentary & Performance to Special Events Slate
The Toronto International Film Festival is pulling out al the stops for its 2017 line-up, having already announced a robust program that includes many of the year’s most anticipated films. Adding a cherry on top to an already jam-packed festival, TIFF revealed its full slate of special events programming, including the premiere of “Lady Gaga: Five Foot Two.” An all access documentary about the tour de force pop star from director Chris Moukarbel, the premiere will be followed by an intimate onstage performance.
“Moukarbel’s documentary offers an unprecedented look at Lady Gaga in full creative mode: the ideas, the emotion, the sheer work it takes to do what she does,” said TIFF Artistic Director Cameron Bailey. “We’re thrilled to be bringing this film to audiences in Toronto, and even more excited that Lady Gaga will follow the screening with a performance.”
The festival also announced a special preview of Chen Kaige’s large-scale “Legend of the Demon Cat,” a debut feature from Nepalese filmmaker Paakhi A. Tyrewala produced by Priyanka Chopra, and a world premiere restoration of Shi Dongshan’s “Struggling,” a classic of pre-communist Chinese cinema.
Read the full special events slate below:
Special Events
“Lady Gaga: Five Foot Two”
A rare, revealing snapshot of a music icon that delves into duality of the raucously public Lady
Gaga and the offstage woman that is, Stefani Joanne Germanotta. In the documentary, Lady Gaga offers a vulnerable look at her life during one of the most pivotal periods in her career
yet. Directed by Emmy®-nominated filmmaker Chris Moukarbel (“Banksy Does New York,” “Me at the Zoo”), the film is shot in the style of cinema verité, giving viewers unfiltered, behind-the-scenes access as Gaga spends time with close friends and family members, records and releases her 2016 album Joanne and, deals with personal struggles. TIFF World Premiere.
A first look at “Legend of the Demon Cat” with director Chen Kaige
An unmissable special event for lovers of this true master of Asian cinema, fans will gather as TIFF offers an exclusive first look at footage from Chen Kaige’s highly anticipated epic “Legend of the Demon Cat.” Set during the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago, this ambitious, large-scale spectacular was shot over three seasons on a functional city-sized set constructed for the production.
“Pahuna: The Little Visitors”
Audiences can join one of the world’s most celebrated activists and actors, Priyanka Chopra, for an evening celebrating actor and first time feature filmmaker Paakhi A. Tyrewala’s newest work “Pahuna: The Little Visitors.” The film details the journey of three Nepalese children separated from their parents and their harrowing voyage back home.
“On My Way Out: The Secret Life of Nani and Popi”
From directors Brandon and Skyler Gross comes a fresh look at real-world relationships. “On My Way Out: The Secret Life of Nani and Popi” is a new 40-minute documentary profiling Roman and Ruth, two 95-year-old Holocaust survivors, and the secret that throws a wrench into their 65-year-long relationship. TIFF World Premiere.
“Struggling”
Presented in partnership with China Film Archive, TIFF brings the World Premiere of a new restoration of Shi Dongshan’s “Struggling” to the festival. Cinephiles can enjoy a presentation of this wartime survival story, complete with live piano accompaniment, from one of
pre–Communist China’s most notable filmmakers, beautifully restored and preserved for years to come. Sun Xianghui, the director of the China Film Archive, will be in attendance to introduce the film.
The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 7 to 17, 2017.
