Eleven Films to Watch Out For At TIFF

Deborah Chow, director of The High Cost Of Living starring Zach Braff, talks about Larysa Kondracki's The Whistleblower.

The Mark: What Canadian film(s) are you excited to see at The Toronto International Film Festival?

Deborah Chow: I'm excited to see The Whistleblower, as I love it when women directors make films in a genre that's traditionally been male-dominated. It's an important story that needs to be told, as sex trafficking is an issue that has too often (and for too long) been largely ignored.

Also, the David Suzuki movie (because he's David Suzuki and great). I feel like I grew up with him (as most Canadians probably did) and I'd love to learn more about him on a personal level. He's been an intelligent voice of reason for many years, and it's nice to know that the world is finally catching up with him.

There's also The Bang Bang Club, which has a great cast and sounds really interesting. And I love seeing movies set in South Africa. I'm also pretty keen to see Fubar 2, as it's hard not to love aimless metalheads.

TM: What role do you think The Toronto International Film Festival important plays in the Canadian film industry?

DC: I think TIFF is incredibly important, as it provides international exposure for Canadian films and facilitates opportunities with regard to distribution, sales, potential projects, etc. It essentially brings the international film community to Toronto, which benefits every aspect of the Canadian film industry.

TM: What advice would you give to aspiring Canadian filmmakers?

DC: I don't know--possibly choose a more sane profession? That aside, just work really hard and don't give up. It's a difficult road, but if you keep going you'll eventually get there.

TM: What is the premise for The High Cost Of Living?

DC: The High Cost of Living is the story of a young, pregnant woman whose world falls apart when she loses her child in a hit and run accident. As her life unravels, Nathalie finds an unlikely protector in Henry, a down and out guardian angel who has followed her thread. But Henry is not quite an angel, and as she struggles to come to terms with the loss, Nathalie discovers that she has fallen in love with the man who ran her over.

TM: Where did you get the inspiration for the film?

DC: I knew I wanted to write a story set in Montreal, and that I wanted it to centre on a relationship between two characters from very different backgrounds. So the city was the initial starting point, and the rest developed from there.