The Toronto Film Festival has announced its star-studded lineup for its “In Conversation With…” series next month. The series will feature acclaimed Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, Hong Kong actor and singer Andy Lau, and Korean actors Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun.
Pedro Almodóvar, known for his films such as “All About My Mother” and “Talk to Her,” will not only be participating in the conversation series but will also receive the prestigious Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media from Participant at TIFF. Almodóvar has been one of the most successful European directors since the release of his 1988 melodrama “Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.” He has won two Oscars for his films and continues to be a trailblazer in the industry.
Andy Lau, a top A-lister in China, will be attending the festival for the world premiere of Ning Hao’s film “The Movie Emperor.” In the film, Lau plays a movie star attempting to regain relevance through an art-house role aimed at impressing film festival audiences. Alongside his acting career, Lau is also a popular pop performer, further cementing his position as a multi-talented artist.
Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun, co-stars of the disaster epic “Concrete Utopia,” will also be present to discuss their successful careers in Korean film and TV. Park Seo-jun is set to appear in “The Marvels” later this year, adding to his growing international recognition.
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Anita Lee, TIFF’s chief programming officer, expressed her excitement about the star-studded lineup, stating, “TIFF’s 2023 In Conversation With… series exemplifies our belief that film can ignite perspectives and fuel transformation.” She further added that the festival is delighted to welcome these international icons from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong, offering film lovers the opportunity to engage with their favorite filmmakers.
The choice to include these international film icons in the lineup not only highlights the expanding entertainment landscape but also serves as a contingency plan in light of the ongoing Hollywood actors’ strike. The strike has caused uncertainty about which American film stars will be able to attend the festival due to restrictions imposed by SAG-AFTRA. These restrictions prevent actors from promoting films that are affiliated with members of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. This means that streamers, major legacy studios, and specialty divisions owned by Sony, Disney, and Universal may not be able to participate fully in the festival.
The Toronto Film Festival has also made headlines by announcing that Hayao Miyazaki’s highly anticipated final film, “The Boy and the Heron,” will open the 2023 edition of the festival. Known for his iconic animated films such as “Spirited Away” and “Princess Mononoke,” Miyazaki has a dedicated fan base eager to see his latest work.
With the inclusion of international film icons like Pedro Almodóvar, Andy Lau, Lee Byung-hun, and Park Seo-jun, the Toronto Film Festival continues to demonstrate its commitment to showcasing diverse and exceptional talent from around the world. Audiences can look forward to engaging conversations with these acclaimed individuals and gaining insights into their artistic journeys and contributions to the film industry.
