‘Bees’ to buzz TIFF

Bees and a duchess will be taking centre stage at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.

The Secret Life of Bees starring Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah and Alicia Keys will have its world premiere at a Gala presentation while ‘The Duchess’ (Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes) will have its international premiere at a Gala as well.

Bees tells the tale of a teenage girl finding peace in the world of beekeeping after her mother dies. The Duchess chronicles the life of Georgiana Spencer (Knightley), the Duchess of Devonshire, the original “It Girl” who headed the Whig Party.

The festival will also be holding special presentations and world premieres for such films as David Koepp’s Ghost Town, Bill Maher’s Religulous, Mike Leigh’s Happy-Go-Lucky and Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla.

GALA PRESENTATIONS

The Secret Life of Bees Gina Prince-Bythewood, USA World Premiere

Based on the bestselling novel The Secret Life of Bees and set in South Carolina in 1964, the film is the moving tale of Lily Owens (Dakota Fanning), a 14-year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother (Hilarie Burton). To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father (Paul Bettany), Lily flees with Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), her caregiver and only friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters (Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo and Alicia Keys), Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping, honey and the Black Madonna. Secret Life of Bees is a Fox Searchlight Pictures presentation.

The Duchess Saul Dibb, United Kingdom International Premiere

Long before the concept existed, the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer (Keira Knightley), was the original “It Girl” -- ravishing, glamorous and adored by an entire country. Determined to be a player in the wider affairs of the world, she helped usher in sweeping changes to England as a leader of the forward-thinking Whig Party. But even as her power and popularity grew, she was haunted by the fact that the only man in England she seemingly could not seduce was her very own husband, the Duke (Ralph Fiennes). Directed by Saul Dibb (Bullet Boy, The Line of Beauty), The Duchess is the story of an extraordinary woman who rose to fame by staying true to her passions in a world of protocol, gossip and social rules – and paid the price. Academy Award™ nominees Knightley and Fiennes head an international cast that also includes Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell and Charlotte Rampling. Based on the award-winning biography Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman, The Duchess is written by Dibb, Jeffrey Hatcher and Anders Thomas Jensen. The Duchess is a Paramount Vantage presentation.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Every Little Step, James Stern, Adam Del Deo, USA World Premiere

Every Little Step is a theatrical documentary on the making of Broadway’s greatest hit and current revival of “A Chorus Line.” The film culls behind-the-scenes footage of the auditions, rehearsals and performances of the 1975 original and the 2006 Broadway revival – revealing how life imitates art as performers from both productions undergo intense experiences similar to the roles in the show itself. Every Little Step, directed by James Stern and Adam Del Deo (…So Goes the Nation, TIFF 2006 and The Year of the Yao, TIFF 2004) spotlights the similarities and the differences between the two shows separated by a generation, the enduring popularity of “A Chorus Line,” and the creative minds behind one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history.

Ghost Town David Koepp, USA World Premiere

Bertram Pincus (Ricky Gervais) is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Even worse, they all want something from him, particularly Frank Herlihy (Greg Kinnear), who pesters him into breaking up the impending marriage of his widow Gwen (Téa Leoni). Also starring Billy Campbell, Kristen Wiig and Dana Ivey.

Religulous Larry Charles, USA World Premiere

Religulous follows political humorist and author Bill Maher (Real Time with Bill Maher, Politically Incorrect) as he travels around the globe interviewing people about God and religion. Known for his astute analytical skills, irreverent wit and commitment to never pulling a punch, Maher brings his characteristic honesty to an unusual spiritual journey. Directed by Larry Charles, Religulous will mark Charles’s first feature project since the critically acclaimed, wildly successful Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (TIFF 2006). Teaser clips of Religulous were presented as a special Mavericks presentation at TIFF 2007 with Maher and Charles in attendance.

Ashes of Time Redux Wong Kar-wai, Hong Kong, China North American Premiere

Wong Kar-wai works his magic in this long-planned "reworking" of his legendary, romantic and one and only martial arts film, previously unreleased in North America. Set in ancient China, Ouyang Feng (Leslie Cheung) is a fallen swordsman who is afraid of love after having his heart broken. But the bounty hunters that work for him, like "Blind Swordsman" (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and Hung Chi (Jacky Cheung), discover the intangible secret of true love while Ouyang retains his attitude towards his fighters and the precious lessons that they have taught.

Happy-Go-Lucky Mike Leigh, United Kingdom North American Premiere

Poppy (Sally Hawkins), is an irrepressibly free-spirited school teacher who brings an infectious laugh and an unsinkable sense of optimism to every situation she encounters as a single woman in London. When Poppy’s commuter bike is stolen, she enthusiastically signs up for driving lessons with Scott (Eddie Marsan), who turns out to be her polar opposite – a fuming, uptight cynic. As the tension of their weekly lessons builds, Poppy’s story takes alternately hilarious and serious turns, becoming a touching, truthful and deeply life-affirming exploration of one of the most mysterious of all human qualities: happiness. Happy-Go-Lucky is a new comedy from director Mike Leigh.

RocknRolla Guy Ritchie, United Kingdom North American Premiere

When a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, millions of dollars are up for grabs, and all of London’s criminal underworld wants in on the action. Everyone from a dangerous crime lord to a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and down-on-their-luck petty thieves conspire, collude and collide with one another in an effort to get rich quick. Written and directed by Guy Ritchie, RocknRolla stars Gerard Butler, Tom Wilkinson, Thandie Newton, Chris Bridges, Jeremy Piven and Idris Elba.

Waltz with Bashir Ari Folman, Israel/France/Germany North American Premiere

One night in a bar, an old friend tells director Ari Folman about a recurring nightmare. The two men conclude that there is a connection to their Israeli Army mission in the Lebanon War in the early 1980s. An astonishing and powerful animated feature that journeys into the director's memory in search of some missing pieces.