The Toronto Film Festival‘s documentary sidebar, TIFF Docs, is set to feature a diverse and captivating lineup of 22 documentaries from 12 countries. Among the notable premieres is “Copa 71,” executive produced by Serena Williams and Venus Williams. The documentary recounts the historic 1971 Women’s World Cup tournament in Mexico City and promises to offer an insightful look at the groundbreaking event.
Other world premieres include Raoul Peck’s “Silver Dollar Road,” which delves into the struggles of a Black family fighting to protect their North Carolina property from land-grabbing developers. Anand Patwardhan’s “The World is Family” chronicles the director’s parents’ involvement in India’s independence movement, adding a historical perspective to the festival’s lineup. Additionally, “Defiant,” directed by Karim Amer, follows Ukraine‘s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba as he takes on the battle against disinformation, shedding light on the challenges of combating false narratives in today’s digital age.
TIFF Docs also features thought-provoking films like Caroline Suh and Cara Mones’ “Sorry/Not Sorry,” which portrays the women who accused comedy giant Louis C.K. of sexual harassment and the impact on their careers. Lucy Walker’s “Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa” tells the inspiring story of a single mother who breaks records as a mountain climber while working as a dishwasher, challenging gender norms in the process.
The lineup also includes a world premiere for “Boil Alert,” a film by Stevie Salas and James Burns that explores Layla Staats’ journey to understand the Indigenous relationship with water and her identity as a Mohawk woman.
Kasia Smutniak’s “Walls” offers an eye-opening perspective as it follows refugees navigating the “red zone” along the Belarusian-Polish border while evading arrest, highlighting the struggles and resilience of those seeking safety and freedom. As part of the festival’s celebration of culinary excellence, a North American premiere for Frederick Wiseman’s “Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros” captures the essence of a French restaurant that has maintained three Michelin stars for over 50 years. TIFF Docs also showcases international premieres, including Errol Morris’ “The Pigeon Tunnel,” which delves into the life of spy novelist David Cornwell, known by his pen name John Le Carré.
With such a diverse and compelling lineup, the Toronto Film Festival’s documentary program promises to offer audiences a thought-provoking and immersive experience. The festival is scheduled to take place from September 7 to 17, and more lineup announcements are expected in the coming weeks.