New To Market,World Premiere and Opening Night film for the brand new competitive section Platform, we have Land of Mine from the hugely talented Martin Zandvliet (Applause which played TIFF in 2013 and, just announced, Europa's Kursk based on the true story of the stricken Russian submarine , written by Saving Private Ryan's Robert Rodat.). Land of Mine is a previously untold, shocking, powerful and incredibly moving story set at the end of World War 2.

Also New To Market, World Premiere and featuring in the Contemporary World Cinema section is 25 April, the new documentary from award-winning director Leanne Pooley (previous films The Topp Twins and Beyond The Edge both premiered in Toronto) and producer Matthew Metcalfe (The Dead Lands and the forthcoming 6 Days). 25 April is an extraordinary animated re-telling of the story of infamous World War 1 battle at Gallipoli.

Academy Award Nominee Ethan Hawke (Boyhood and the forthcoming Magnificent Seven remake) stars in writer/director Robert Budreau's Born To Be Blue which receives its World Premiere and Special Presentation during the festival. Hawke is truly mesmerizing as jazz legend Chet Baker in this powerful re-imagining of the trumpet player/singer's determined struggle, supported by the love of Jane played by the brilliant Carmen Ejogo (Selma), to make one of the most remarkable of musical comebacks.

From acclaimed visual artist and filmmaker Akiz comes Der Nachtmahr, which is fast becoming a festival favourite. After a recent showing in Locarno it receives its North American Premiere here in the Vanguard section.

New Title - World Premiere and Opening Night Film of the new Platform section

Land of Mine

A story never told before. WW2 has ended. A group of German POWs captured by the Danish army, boys rather than men, are forced into a new kind of service under the command of a brusque Danish Sergeant. The boys soon discover that the war is far from over.

Screenings:
Sep 10th 5:00pm, Visa Screenning Room (Elgin)
Sep 11th 11:15am, Scotiabank 3 (P&I)
Sep 12th 11:15am, Cinema 1 (Bell Lightbox)
Sep 14th 9:00am, Scotiabank 14 (P&I)
Sep 20th 3:15pm, Cinema 2 (Bell Lightbox)
 

World Premiere and Special Presentation

Born to be Blue

Jazz legend Chet Baker has it all. Talent to burn and movie-star looks that have him dubbed the “James Dean of Jazz“. His commitment to his art is total but his self-destructive streak risks destroying the one good relationship he has with the woman who supports him through the ups and downs and, after a vicious beating leaves him unable to play, nurses him towards an incredible comeback.

Screenings:
Sep 13th 2pm, Winter Garden Theatre
Sep 14th 9:00am, The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Sep 14th 10:30am, Scotiabank 13 (P&I)
Sep 16th 8:45am, Scotiabank 14 (P&I)

 

New Title - World Premiere in the Contemporary World Cinema section

25 April

The story of six strangers thrown together by history and the battle that would change everything.

Screenings:
Sep 12th 7:15pm, Scotiabank 7 (P&I)
Sep 14th 5:15pm, Cinema 2 (Bell Lightbox)
Sep 15th 2:00pm, Scotiabank 9 (P&I)
Sep 16th 10:00am, Jackman Hall
Sep 18th 9:15pm, Scotiabank 2
 

North American Premiere

Der Nachtmahr

A Berlin teenage girl discovers her true self while getting in touch with a hideous creature that turns out to be a personification of her fears.

Screenings:
Sep 11th 9:30am, Scotiabank 8 (P&I)
Sep 17th 9pm, The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema
Sep 18th 12:00pm, Scotiabank 3
Sep 20th 6:00pm, Scotiabank 14