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    You are at:Home»Features»TIFF 2021: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ to open festival, Zhang Yimou’s ‘One Second’ to close
    Features

    TIFF 2021: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ to open festival, Zhang Yimou’s ‘One Second’ to close

    By Brent HankinsJuly 20, 2021No Comments4 Mins Read
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    Dear Evan Hansen, Toronto International Film Festival
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    The 2021 Toronto International Film Festival continues to shape up, with Dear Evan Hansen — director Stephen Chbosky’s adaptation of the smash hit Broadway musical — tapped as the official Opening Night selection, screening on Thursday, September 9 at Roy Thomson Hall. “There was no question that Dear Evan Hansen was the ideal film to launch the Festival this year,” said Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director and Co-Head, TIFF. “This film is ultimately about healing, forgiveness, and reaffirms how connected and essential we all are to one another. We couldn’t think of a more important idea to celebrate this year as we come together once again to share the power and joy of cinema in theatres together.”

    “Dear Evan Hansen is a film about allowing ourselves to be found, and giving ourselves permission to be our true, authentic selves,” said Stephen Chbosky, who previously helmed an adaptation of his own novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, to great critical acclaim. “After a year and a half of isolation, so many of us are finding our way back to each other. So, now more than ever, I am honoured that the Toronto International Film Festival has chosen Dear Evan Hansen to open this year’s Festival. We could not have asked for a more ideal festival, or audience, or moment to premiere our film.”

    Festival organizers also confirmed acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s newest effort, One Second, will close the event. Described in a press release as “a love letter to movies and a reminder of how they
    can unite people, regardless of our differences,” the film tells the story of a man who escapes a labour camp hoping to reunite with his daughter, encountering a traveling film projectionist along the way.

    Today’s press release included the announcement of 10 additional Gala Presentations, and 22 Special Presentations. See below for the full list of announced titles.

    TIFF 2021: Zhang Yimou's ONE SECOND
    Zhang Yimou’s ONE SECOND

    GALA PRESENTATIONS 2021
    *previously announced

    *Belfast Kenneth Branagh | United Kingdom
    World Premiere

    Clifford the Big Red Dog Walt Becker | USA/United Kingdom/Canada
    World Premiere

    Opening Night Film
    Dear Evan Hansen Stephen Chbosky | USA
    World Premiere

    The Electrical Life of Louis Wain Will Sharpe | United Kingdom
    Canadian Premiere

    *Jagged Alison Klayman | USA
    World Premiere

    *Last Night in Soho Edgar Wright | United Kingdom
    North American Premiere

    *The Mad Women’s Ball (Le Bal des folles) Mélanie Laurent | France
    World Premiere

    *Night Raiders Danis Goulet | Canada/New Zealand
    North American Premiere

    Closing Night Film
    One Second Zhang Yimou | China
    North American Premiere

    The Survivor Barry Levinson | USA/Canada/Hungary
    World Premiere

    TIFF 2021: Jessica Chastain in THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE
    Jessica Chastain in THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE

    SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2021
    *previously announced

    Ali & Ava Clio Barnard | United Kingdom
    North American Premiere

    All My Puny Sorrows Michael McGowan | Canada
    World Premiere

    *Benediction Terence Davies | United Kingdom
    World Premiere

    Bergman Island Mia Hansen-Løve | France
    International Premiere

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

    *Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner | USA
    World Premiere

    Drive My Car Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Japan
    North American Premiere

    Encounter Michael Pearce | United Kingdom/USA
    International Premiere

    The Eyes of Tammy Faye Michael Showalter | USA
    World Premiere

    *The Guilty Antoine Fuqua | USA
    World Premiere

    I’m Your Man Maria Schrader | Germany
    North American Premiere

    Inexorable Fabrice du Welz | Belgium/France
    International Premiere

    *Lakewood Phillip Noyce | Canada
    World Premiere

    The Middle Man Bent Hamer | Norway/Canada/Germany/Denmark
    World Premiere

    Official Competition (Competencia Oficial) Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat | Spain/Argentina
    North American Premiere

    Paris, 13th District (Les Olympiades) Jacques Audiard | France
    North American Premiere

    *Petite Maman Céline Sciamma | France
    Canadian Premiere

    *The Starling Theodore Melfi | USA
    World Premiere

    The Story of My Wife Ildikó Enyedi | Hungary/Germany/Italy/France
    North American Premiere

    Three Floors (Tre Piani) Nanni Moretti | Italy/France
    North American Premiere

    Violet Justine Bateman | USA
    International Premiere

    The Worst Person In The World (Verdens Verste Menneske) Joachim Trier | Norway/France/Sweden/Denmark
    North American Premiere


    The 2021 Toronto International Film Festival runs September 9-18, featuring both in-person screenings and digital offerings to accommodate film lovers unable to make the trek to Canada. Find more information at tiff.net, and stay tuned for additional festival coverage.

    Festivals TIFF TIFF 2021 Toronto International Film Festival
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