Manchester by the Sea TIFF Official Selection 2016 Critically acclaimed drama about a reclusive handyman whose life is upended after the sudden death of his brother. Lee Chandler (Affleck) returns to his seaside hometown after he is appointed legal guardian of his brother’s teenage son, Patrick (Lucas Hedges). In stark contrast to his uncle, Patrick is full of life. As this mis- matched pair stumbles through the mundane details of estate planning and the awk- ward strain of adolescence, Lee is forced to confront his past, revealed seamlessly through flashbacks, and the realities of his present. Principal Cast: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Lucas Hedges, Kyle Chandler Director: Kenneth Lonergan Classification: 14A

Old Stone TIFF Official Selection 2016 Thrilling feature debut—about a taxi driver plunged into a bureaucratic nightmare when he takes an injured man to the hospital—takes us on an unnerving trip through China’s social strata and their corresponding levels of “justice”. Faced with the possibility of losing everything, the taxi driver descends into a kind of madness and begins to think that his only possible response to such a thankless social situa- tion might be retribution. Principal Cast: Chen Gang, Nai An, Wang Hongwei, Zhang Zebin, Luo Xue’er Director: Johnny Ma Classification: 14A Subtitled

The Salesman TIFF Official Selection 2016 A sudden eruption of violence creates an atmosphere of simmering tension between a husband and wife in this work of slow-burning suspense from Academy Award- winning Iranian master Asghar Farhadi (A Separation, The Past). His subtle control of camera placements and rhythm and his special gift for drawing nuanced perfor- mances from his actors are key elements of his directorial signature. But so much of his singular talent can be found in the structuring of his scripts, which draws us in, turns the screws, and leave us breathless. Principal Cast: Shahab Hosseini, Taraneh Alidoosti Director: Asghar Farhadi Classification: tbd Subtitled Awards: Cannes 2016 Best Actor & Best Screenplay, Iran’s Academy Award entry.

Maudie TIFF Official Selection 2016

Determined to prove her independence to herself and her overprotective family, the Nova Scotian Maud Dowley (Sally Hawkins) answers an ad for a live-in housekeeper for the reclusive Everett Lewis (Ethan Hawke), but her artistic skills quickly eclipse her domestic duties. Touch- ing, funny and wonderfully acted by its two remarkable leads, MAUDIE is an inspirational, based-on-fact tale of a young artist whose talent and determination allowed her to surmount the obstacles in her way. Director Aisling Walsh brilliantly captures Maud’s growth into one of Canada’s most celebrated folk artists. Principal Cast: Ethan Hawke, Sally Hawkins, Kari Matchett Director: Aisling Walsh Classification: tbd

I, Daniel Blake TIFF Official Selection 2016 Director Ken Loach (Jimmy’s Hall, The Angel’s Share) spins a tale that will leave no one unmoved. Daniel is an affable 59-year-old carpenter fighting to collect benefits after falling ill. Daniel befriends a young single mother who is also being shoved around by the vagaries of the system. Working with some of the most powerful set pieces he has ever filmed, Loach effortlessly builds empathy for two downtrodden people navigating a cruel tangle of red tape while trying to steal a happy moment or two. Principal Cast: Dave Johns, Hayley Squires Director: Ken Loach Classification: tbd Awards: Cannes 2016 Palm D’Or Winner, VIFF Most Popular International Feature