MY GREAT NIGHT: Profile of Director Álex de la Iglesia

"Who, me? 'Super-talented?'"

Spanish director Álex de la Iglesia's My Great Night (aka, My Big Night, aka, Mi Gran Noche) premieres tonight, but it's not Iglesia's first appearance at TIFF. Iglesia's scary clown movie / meditation on the Spanish Civil War, The Last Circus premiered at TIFF. Since 1993, four of his films have played Midnight Madness: Accion Mutante (1993); The Day Of The Beast (1995); Perdita Durango (1998); and Witching & Bitching (2013). And Iglesia produced last year's harrowing Vanguard film, Shrew's Nest (2014), directed by Esteban Roel & Juanfer Andrés. Iglesia's films have won multiple Goya awards, Spain's national film award presented by the Academia de las Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas de España.

The first film Iglesia directed was his own short, "Mirandas Asesinas" in 1991. And then, Pedro Almodóvar produced Iglesia's Accion Mutante, giving Iglesia his first big break while simultaneously hurting the brains of at least forty cinephiles. (Hopefull,y they have recovered by now).

But while Iglesia's films have a unifying darkly comedic sensibility and a similar aesthetic, Iglesia has worked in a wide variety of genres from horror to an homage to Spaghetti Westerns, 800 Bullets, to a comparatively restrained thriller, The Oxford Murders (2008). Also, again, terrifying clowns. 

 

"Never mention the terrifying clowns, Elijah. Never mention Sammy Petrillo, either."

And before he had even written My Great Night, he had released Dying of Laughter (1999), a dark satire about comedy duo, Nino and Bruno. They were very successful in the 1970s, but boy do they hate each other now. (If this seems familiar to you, maybe you're thinking of Martin & Lewis or maybe you saw it during the Iglesia retrospective at TIFF Bell Lightbox last winter. God help you if you're thinking of Duke Mitchell and Sammy Petrillo). And their envy and hate comes to a head at... a big live television extravaganza! 

Jazz Hands!

Iglesia himself worked in television, early on as a production designer, and now as director, screenwriter and producer. He's done several shorts, including, "The Tragedy of Francisco Franco." And he even had his own television series,  Plutón B.R.B. Nero (2008-9), in which having turfed the Earth, humanity seeks another habitable planet. 

Let's take a look!

So enjoy tonight's screening of My Great Night, and ponder how much of the film, which Iglesia both wrote and directed, comes from Iglesia's personal experience. I don't expect bumbling spacemen,  mutants, Perdida Durango or even terrifying clowns. Well, maybe terrifying clowns. But there will be hilarity, amazing hair and the famous Spanish singer, Raphael.

These ladies are ready. Are you?

MY GREAT NIGHT screening times:
Sep. 11, Friday, 7:15 pm, SCOTIABANK 2
Sep. 13, Sunday, 4:30 pm, SCOTIABANK 2
Sep. 20, Sunday, 9:00 pm, SCOTIABANK 14

ModernHorrors Has Love For HELLIONS And More

ModernHorrors.com has a full rundown of the genre films screening at this year's Toronto International Film Festival and Canadian filmmaking icon Bruce McDonald's Hellions appears on that list.

Seven years after his much-loved zombie thriller Pontypool, Canadian maverick Bruce McDonald returns to the horror genre with this deliciously creepy tale about a pregnant teen whose home is besieged by a ghastly crew of trick-or-treaters.

Modern Horrors highlights more than 30 titles in this Festival spotlight, including Vanguard titles like Demon, Der Nachtmahr, Evolution, February, and Lace Crater.

But wait, there's more!

The site also name checks Midnight Madness titles like Baskin, The Devil's Candy, The Final Girls, The Girl In The Photographs, GreenRoom, Hardcore, The Mind's Eye, Southbound, and Yakuza Apocalypse.

Thanks ModernHorrors.com!

HELLIONS Screening Times:

Thu. Sept 17, 9:30PM ELGIN/WINTER GARDEN

Fri. Sept 18 4:00PM, SCOTIABANK 4

DEMON Screening Times:

Fri. Sept 11, 6:15PM BLOOR HOT DOCS

Sun. Sept 13, 4:15PM SCOTIABANK 10

Sat. Sept 19, 9:15PM SCOTIABANK 13

DER NACHTMAHR Screening Times:

Thu. Sept 17, 9:00PM BLOOR HOT DOCS

Fri. Sept 18, 12:00PM SCOTIABANK 3

Sun. Sept. 20, 6:00PM SCOTIABANK 14

EVOLUTION Screening Times:

Mon. Sept 14, 9:30PM RYERSON

Wed. Sept. 16, 4:30PM BLOOR HOT DOCS

Sun. Sept 20, 8:30PM TIFF LIGHTBOX CINEMA 2

FEBRUARY Screening Times:

Sat. Sept 12, 6:30PM SCOTIABANK 1

Mon. Sept 14, 6:45PM SCOTIABANK 9

Fri. Sept 18, 6:45PM BLOOR HOT DOCS

LACE CRATER Screening Times:

Tue. Sept 15, 9:30PM SCOTIABANK 10

Thu. Sept 17, 9:30PM SCOTIABANK 14

Sun. Sept 20, 3:15PM SCOTIABANK 9

Midnight Madness:

GREEN ROOM Screening Times:
Thu, Sept 10th, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Sat, Sept 12, 2:15 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS

BASKIN Screening Times:
Fri, Sept 11, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Sun, Sept 13, 4:00 PM SCOTIABANK 13
Thu, Sept 17, 6:00 PM SCOTIABANK 4

HARDCORE Screening Times:
Sat, Sept 12, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Mon, Sept 14, 4:15 PM SCOTIABANK 14  
Fri, Sept 18, 1:00 PM SCOTIABANK 4

THE DEVIL'S CANDY Screening Times:
Sun, Sept 13, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Tue, Sept 15, 6:45 PM SCOTIABANK 9
Sat, Sept 19, 1:15 PM SCOTIABANK 14

THE GIRL IN THE PHOTOGRAPHS Screening Times:
Mon, Sept 14, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Wed, Sept 16, 5:00 PM SCOTIABANK 1
Fri, Sept 18, 9:15 PM SCOTIABANK 3

THE MIND'S EYE Screening Times:
Tue, Sept 15, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Thu, Sept 17, 3:30 PM BLOOR HOT DOCS
Sat, Sept 19, 7:00 PM SCOTIABANK 10

SOUTHBOUND Screening Times:
Wed, Sept 16, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Fri, Sept 18, 6:00 PM SCOTIABANK 13
Sun, Sept 20, 3:30 PM SCOTIABANK 10

YAKUZA APOCALYPSE Screening Times:
Fri, Sept 18, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Sat, Sept 19, 3:00 PM SCOTIABANK 2

THE FINAL GIRLS Screening Times:
Sat, Sept 19, 11:59 PM RYERSON
Sun, Sept 20, 5:00 PM SCOTIABANK 2

MY GREAT NIGHT First Look: Posters and Trailer

Get ready for some Fosse-level entertainment!

Álex de la Iglesia returns to TIFF this year with My Great Night (aka, My Big Night). Iglesia is a long time Midnight Madness alumnus, with four films having played that program since 1993. His most recent was Witching & Bitching in 2013. This year Iglesia brings his latest movie to Vanguard. And there are no witches, mutants or beasts in sight. From the TIFF.net description:

An audaciously inventive ensemble comedy brimming with showbiz satire, the latest from Spain's madcap maestro Álex de la Iglesia...is a hoot. Featuring a cavalcade of Iglesia regulars, My Great Night offers an all-access backstage pass to a TV variety show so full of hitches and snags its participants will be lucky if they survive the taping.

There appears to be a big Bob Fosse-esque production number and at least one pro wrestler/pop dream-boat.

 So, you know, there could be witches, mutants and beasts. There is definitely a lovely poster.

This is a really sweet poster.

The trailer is similarly in Spanish. But even if you don't speak Spanish it's still plenty of fun. 

MY GREAT NIGHT screening times:
Sep. 11, Friday, 7:15 pm, SCOTIABANK 2
Sep. 13, Sunday, 4:30 pm, SCOTIABANK 2
Sep. 20, Sunday, 9:00 pm, SCOTIABANK 14

Fashions of Vanguard '14

We really need to get Evan from Spring some new clothes. 

We really need to get you some  new clothes.

Evan from Spring has just the one outfit and he wants to look nice for his new cthonically ancient special lady. We have some advice for him--and for you, if you want to look good red carping and at the Preëms, as the fanciest of festival-goers say. Fortunately, we have a variety of looks from the Vanguard programme films this year... and even a few from the Midnight Madness movies!

Ryan Reynolds suggests this inspirational shirt.

(Ryan Reynolds? Ryan Reynolds, man.)

There's always the elusive beauty of the semi-imaginary moth boy.

Pro tip: Wooden fingers are so hot this year!

  

Mesh tank tops and leather pants are back! (Not that they ever really went away…)

The fashionable lepidopterist always wears stocking and heels and sometimes hats, gloves, and capes, when the weather calls for it.

The gloves and capes make for a classic look. Of course, sometimes you might want something more classically mad science. Consider a long gown and bandages.

Or perhaps just a mask. Masks are very on trend this year.

The mud and touches of moss really bring the look together.

Or if you want your face to show, you can do a bold eye liner and a bold lip with a bearskin.

You can even try mixing a message t-shirt with an animal mask, bringing 3 looks together.

But with a full stag head, you might want to balance it with the vulnerability of nudity.

Speaking of balancing revealing skin with tantalizingly covering it up, Cal keeps his excellent penis sheathed in what appears to be a paisley thong.

But before you go full Seventies, just ask yourself, Does this mustache really express me?

It’s important for vampires to always look their best, even when vacuuming the flat.

And always be prepared for fashion mishaps. Uh oh, looks like Viago got blood on his dandy suit. Some soda water and paper towels should get those stains out.



Or you could simply change into this embroidered distressed denim jacket while your clothes are in the wash.

There are a few Fashion Don'ts however...

Creepy ex-boyfriends who give you sexually transmitted hauntings are a definite fashion no no.

When wearing blood, it’s important to blend and remember to never overdo it, Montse. Why not borrow some club soda and paper towels from Viago and tone it down a bit.

Best to make sure that dressmaker’s dummy you’re using isn’t one of Montse’s victims.

An Indiana Jones hat and double tiaras are great accessories for any discerning film fan, but only if you have Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead with you at all times.

Of course we know who the real fashion Peeps Choi Award Winner is...

He might not have won Vanguard Blog Mascot, but he won our hearts with his adorable boxing gloves.

We hope this helps, and remember to use fashion responsibly because fashion is danger. We've seen a lot of decapitations this year, and we don't want to see any more.

(Hell yeah, there's a mix of Vanguard and Midnight Madness films in this because we're Vanguarders and we do what we want. Also, we love the Midnighteers and Maniacs over at the Midnight Madness blog. Films included: Spring; The Voices; Luna; The Editor; What We Do In The Shadows; The Duke of Burgundy; Goodnight, Mommy; Cub; They Have Escaped; Tusk; It Follows; and Shrew's Nest. Special thanks to the Tusk fans and Peter Kuplowsky for being good sports).

BLUE RUIN Clip

Festival alum (2012's Hellbenders) Macon Blair gives a tense, harrowing performance as Blue Ruin's lead, as his character, the drifter Dwight, carries out an act of vengeance that will also protect his estranged family. Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier's Blue Ruin is "a lean and suspenseful genre piece," says Variety, that won the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes.

Below is a clip from Blue Ruin, which plays this year's Toronto International Film Festival within the Vanguard programme.

Further information about Jeremy Saulnier's Blue Ruin can be found on the Festival website, as well as on the Blue Ruin website, Twitter account, Facebook page, and IMDB page.

BLUE RUIN screening times:

• Mon., Sept. 9, The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema 8:00 PM
• Wednes., Sept. 11, TIFF Bell Lightbox 1 12:00 PM

SIGHTSEERS Premieres Tonight!

Ben Wheatley's Sightseers premieres tonight at the Ryerson Theatre at 9:00 PM. Head over to our previous post to see the film's trailer and poster.

Tickets can be purchased:

• ONLINE: TIFF.net/thefestival
• BY PHONE: 416.599.TIFF or 1.888.599.8433 (Toll-free) 
• IN PERSON
• Festival Box Office; 225 King St. West
• Ryerson Theatre Box Office; 350 Victoria Street

Further information about Ben Wheatley's Sightseers can be found on the Festival website, as well as on the Sightseers website, Twitter account, Facebook page, and IMDB page.

SIGHTSEERS screening times:

• Tues., Sept. 11, Ryerson Theatre 9:00 PM 
• Thurs., Sept. 13, Ryerson Theatre 12:00 PM 
• Sun., Sept. 16, The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema 7:00 PM

Play TIFF Bingo!

This is for the diehard festival goers -- a bingo card for the Toronto International Film Festival. Using the hashtag #TIFFBingo on Twitter, you can compete with other audience members for bragging rights. See Bruce McDonald walking down King in his trademark chapeau? That's a point. Fall asleep during a screening? Well, yes, that was basically a $20 nap, but at least you get a point for that too!

For clarification's sake, this is an unofficial game that coincides with but is not sponsored by the Festival. Also, please note that we in no way condone sneaking food into the Ryerson! You will be reprimanded by very, very vigilant ushers.

Permalink: http://bit.ly/TIFFBingo

Variety: Geddes in Vanguard of Horror

Entertainment industry trade magazine Variety has a glowing article about both the Midnight Madness and Vanguard programs. It also has some kind words for programmer Colin Geddes:

When Geddes was charged with sharpening the parallel Vanguard section, fans became top priority. The program of a dozen-plus pics targets a slightly older demo seeking extreme arthouse storytelling and a decent night's sleep. The renovated Bloor cinema will screen one to two titles per night. "Giving Vanguard audiences a destination, like they have for Midnight, in itself changes the nature of the program," he says.

Click here for the rest of the article.

SIGHTSEERS Poster and Trailer

Following up on the 2011 Midnight Madness favourite Kill List, director Ben Wheatley takes the sad-sack lovers of his new film -- Sightseers -- on a homicidal holiday. Yes, Tina and Chris' caravan vacation gets more than a little bloody. The Hollywood Reporter declares Sightseers as "the most consistently hilarious Brit-com for a good half-decade -- probably since Edgar Wright's Hot Fuzz," who also serves as Executive Producer on Wheatley's film.

Below are the poster and trailer for Sightseers, which plays the Toronto International Film Festival within the Vanguard programme.

Further information about Ben Wheatley's Sightseers can be found on the Festival website, as well as on the Sightseers website, Twitter account, Facebook page, and IMDB page.

SIGHTSEERS screening times:

• Tues., Sept. 11, Ryerson Theatre 9:00 PM 
• Thurs., Sept. 13, Ryerson Theatre 12:00 PM 
• Sun., Sept. 16, The Bloor Hot Docs Cinema 7:00 PM