Opening night “Dear Evan Hansen” – Deadline

The organizers of Toronto International Film said two weeks ago that they would once again welcome audiences in person for a festival that runs September 9-18. This is after Canada made an exemption to allow the National Hockey League playoffs to take place in the country, and more recently the Toronto Blue Jays will resume playing at the Blue Jay Way Stadium by the end. of the month.

The festival unveiled its first batch of premieres and galas this morning. Festival co-directors Joana Vicente and Cameron Bailey introduced Dear Evan Hansen during the opening night gala presentation.

The Stephen Chbosky-directed adaptation of the Broadway hit will premiere on September 9 at Roy Thomson Hall, and the festival will end with the film directed by Zhang Yimou. A second.

Here are the films planned so far, with more to be added later:

GALA 2021 PRESENTATIONS
* already announced

*Belfast Kenneth Branagh | UK
World premiere

Clifford the big red dog Walt Becker | United States / United Kingdom / Canada
World premiere

Opening night film.
Dear Evan Hansen Stephen Chbosky | United States
World premiere

Louis Wain’s electric life Will Sharpe | UK
Canadian premiere

Tammy Faye’s eyes Michael Showalter | United States
World premiere

*Shredded Alison Klayman | United States
World premiere

*Last night in Soho Edgar Wright | UK
North American premiere

* Le Bal des Femmes Mades (Le Bal des folles) Mélanie Laurent | France
World premiere

*Raiders of the night Danis Goulet | Canada / New Zealand
North American premiere

.Closing night film.
A second Zhang Yimou | China
North American premiere

The survivor Barry Levinson | United States / Canada / Hungary
World premiere

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2021
* already announced

Ali and Ava Clio Barnard | UK
North American premiere

All my little sorrows Michael McGowan | Canada
World premiere

*Blessing Terence Davies | UK
World premiere

Bergman Island Mia Hansen-Løve | France
International premiere

*Charlotte Eric Warin, Tahir Rana | Canada / France / Belgium
World premiere

*Dionne Warwick: Don’t give up on me Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner | United States
World premiere

Drive my car Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Japan
North American premiere

Meet Michael Pearce | United Kingdom / United States
International premiere

*the guilty Antoine Fuqua | United States
World premiere

I am your man Maria Schrader | Germany
North American premiere

Inexorable Fabrice du Welz | Belgium / France
International premiere

*Lakewood Philippe Noyce | Canada
World premiere

Man in the middle Hamer curved | Norway / Canada / Germany / Denmark
World premiere

Official Competition Mariano Cohn, Gaston Duprat | Spain / Argentina
North American premiere

Paris, 13th arrondissement (Les Olympiades) Jacques Audiard | France
North American premiere

*Little mom Céline Sciamma | France
Canadian premiere

*Starling Théodore Melfi | United States
World premiere

My wife’s story Ildiko Enyedi | Hungary / Germany / Italy / France
North American premiere

Three floors (Tre Piani) Nanni Moretti | Italy / France
North American premiere

Purple Justine Bateman | United States
International premiere

The worst person in the world (Verdens Verste Menneske) Joachim Trier | Norway / France / Sweden / Denmark
North American premiere

Directed by Stephen Chbosky, Dear Evan Hansen is the story of a high school student with a debilitating anxiety disorder whose private letter to himself as part of a therapy exercise lands in the hands of a classmate. , with tragic consequences. The incident propels Evan on a journey of self-discovery that leads him to belonging and acceptance, not only among the people who love him, but also by Evan himself. Starring Tony winner Ben Platt as Evan, starring Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg and Nik Dodani, Dear Evan Hansen features songs from the original Broadway sensation.

“There was no question that Dear Evan Hansen was the perfect film to launch the Festival this year,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director and Co-Director of TIFF. “This movie is ultimately about healing, forgiveness and reaffirming how connected and essential we are to each other. We couldn’t think of a bigger idea to celebrate this year as we come together again to share together the power and joy of cinema in theaters. “

“As TIFF resumed this year following a pandemic that has marked and changed all of our lives, we felt it was important to open this year’s Festival with a film that connects to our humanity. common and which reminds us how much we need each other. , must be seen by each other, especially in times of loneliness and despair, ”said Joana Vicente, Executive Director and Co-Head of TIFF.

“Dear Evan Hansen is a film about allowing ourselves to be found and allowing ourselves to be ourselves, real and genuine,” said Stephen Chbosky. “After a year and a half of isolation, so many of us are finding our way back to each other. So, more than ever, I’m honored that the Toronto International Film Festival has chosen Dear Evan Hansen to open this year’s Festival. We couldn’t have dreamed of a festival, an audience or a more ideal time to preview our film. “

TIFF 2021’s closing gala, One Second, is the latest offering from famed Chinese Raise the Red Lantern and Hero director Zhang Yimou. The film tells the story of a traveling projectionist and an escaped prisoner connected by cinema. One Second is a love letter to movies and a reminder of how they can unite people, no matter how different we are. “Every September, we invite everyone from the movies to Toronto, one of the most diverse and craziest movie cities in the world,” Bailey said. “And having Zhang Yimou’s movie here now is a real joy.”

TIFF is also delighted to announce the first titles selected for the Festival’s gala and special presentation programs. This first list of films from the 2021 Official Selection includes 11 Galas and 21 Special Presentations.

“We are delighted to be able to share this year’s lineup with audiences in theaters,” said Vicente. “These films reflect passion, creativity and innovate to tell their stories. We are honored to have them as part of TIFF 2021. ”

“Some of the biggest films of the year will be screened at TIFF this year,” added Bailey. “We are delighted to announce these films in the form of galas and special presentations. Our programming team has worked hard for months to find the most compelling stories, acclaimed filmmakers and top screen talent that include two of TIFF’s hottest sections.