Neil Jordan’s latest film ‘Ondine’ and Jordan Scott's 'Cracks', both filmed on location in Ireland, will receive Premiere screenings at the 34th Annual Toronto Film Festival, which takes place 10 – 19 September.
'Ondine', which stars Colin Farrell (Intermission, In Bruges), Stephen Rea (The Crying Game, V for Vendetta), Alicja Bachleda (Comme des Voleurs) and Alison Barry, Castletownbere, Co. Cork last summer will have its World Premiere in the Special Presentations strand at the festival.
The film is a lyrical, modern fairy tale that tells the story of Syracuse (Farrell) an Irish fisherman whose life is transformed when he catches a beautiful and mysterious creature (Bachleda) in his nets. His daughter Annie (Barry) comes to believe that the woman is a magical creature, while Syracuse falls helplessly in love. However like all fairy tales, enchantment and darkness go hand in hand.
‘Ondine’ was financed by Wayfare Entertainment, in association with RTÉ, the Irish Film Board and Section 481. James Flynn of Octagon Films produced along with Wayfare’s Ben Browning.
Set in England in 1934 in an austere and cloistered girl's boarding school, 'Cracks' is a tale of innocence corrupted. The film stars actresses Eva Green (Casino Royale) and __ (Atonement) and shot for seven weeks in Dublin and Wickow during 2008.
'Cracks' is a co-production between Element Pictures (Garage, The Wind That Shakes The Barley) and UK production companies Scott Free (American Gangster, Gladiator), Future Films (Flawless, Goodbye Bafana) and Antenna 3 Films. It received financing from the Irish Film Board, Legende, Optimum, Zantos, Pinewood and Future Film.
In addition to having three Gala Presentations, the Toronto International Film Festival will screen nineteen Special Presentations including works from critically acclaimed filmmakers Jane Campion, Lu Chuan, Raoul Peck, Steven Soderbergh and Johnnie Hallyday, and will also feature on-screen performances by Mariah Carey, Abbie Cornish, Matt Damon, Michael Douglas, Robert Duvall, Ricky Gervais, Eva Green, Johnny Hallyday, Lenny Kravitz, Sergi López, Mo'Nique, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Clive Owen, Kristin Scott Thomas, Sissy Spacek and Ben Whishaw.
Jon Amiel's Charles Darwin biopic ‘Creation’ will open the celebrations on Sept. 10.
A full line up for the festival including further Irish entries will be updated in due course.
See www.tiff.net
