By Renu Mehta
Toronto
Mike Flanagan’s film The Life of Chuck walked away with the People’s Choice Award presented at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The first runner up is Emilia Perez directed by Jacques Audiard and the second runner up is Anora directed by Sean Baker.
The Life of Chuck narration is adapted from a Stephen King novel and revolves around a seemingly ordinary accountant. The world feels like it’s ending and everybody’s saying goodbye to Chuck. Wherever Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor) goes, he can’t get away from Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston). His face is showing up on billboards, window signs — even TV commercials. The question is why does he warrant such a sendoff?
Their connection includes Marty’s ex-wife (Karen Gillan), her co-worker, his neighbour, and just about everyone else they know. Chuck’s life story soon begins to unravel in front of us, going back to a childhood with grandfather Albie (Mark Hamill), who teaches him about accounting and passes on a love for dancing, all the while keeping him from a prophetic secret in the attic. The film manages a rare feat as it finds warmth in melancholy.
People’s Choice Awards Presented by Rogers
The 47th edition of TIFF’s People’s Choice Awards, presented by Rogers, has been distinguished as the audience’s top title at the festival as voted by the viewing public.
People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award:
The Substance, dir. Coralie Fargeat | United Kingdom/USA/France
The first runner-up is: Dead Talents Society, dir. John Hsu | Taiwan
The second runner-up is: Friendship, dir. Andrew DeYoung | USA
USA People’s Choice Documentary Award:
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, dir. Mike Downie | Canada
The first runner-up is: Will & Harper, dir. Josh Greenbaum | USA
The second runner-up is: Your Tomorrow, dir. Ali Weinstein |
Canada People’s Choice Award: The Life of Chuck, dir. Mike Flanagan | USA
The first runner-up is: Emilia Pérez, dir. Jacques Audiard | France/USA/Mexico
The second runner-up is: Anora, dir. Sean Baker | USA
Short Cuts Award for Best International Film:
Deck 5B, dir. Malin Ingrid Johansson | Sweden
Honourable Mention: Quota, dir. Job Roggeveen, Joris Oprins, Marieke Blaauw | Netherlands
Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Film: Are You Scared to Be Yourself Because You Think That You Might Fail? dir. Bec Pecaut | Canada
FIPRESCI Award: Mother Mother, dir. K’naan Warsame | Somalia
NETPAC Award: The Last of the Sea Women, dir. Sue Kim | USA NETPAC
Best Canadian Discovery Award: Universal Language, dir. Matthew Rankin | Canada
Honourable Mention: You Are Not Alone, dirs. Marie-Hélène Viens, Philippe Lupien | Canada
Best Canadian Feature Film Award: Shepherds, dir. Sophie Deraspe | Canada
Platform Award: They Will Be Dust, dir. Carlos Marques-Marcet | Spain, Italy, Switzerland Platform Honourable Mention: Sylvia Chang in Daughter’s Daughter, dir. Huang Xi | Taiwan
