TIFF 2020 has begun! What to watch on Day 1

It's Day 1 and TIFF 2020 has officially begun. While the festival is virtual this year, there is a lot to experience and watch. We're looking at you, cinephiles!

Today's highlight is the gala presentation of the opening film David Byrne's American Utopia by Spike Lee. The director documents the former Talking Heads frontman’s timely 2019 Broadway show, based on his recent album and tour of the same name. This film is also eligible for the People's Choice Award. (You can cast your vote for your favorite films at tiff.net/vote.) This film will be playing at 8 pm at the Visa Skyline Drive-In at CityView, 9 pm at West Island Open Air Cinema at Ontario Place and 9:15 pm at RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place.

Midnight Madness also kicks off today, with Get the Hell Out, by director I-Fan Wang.  In this horror-comedy, Taiwan’s parliament turns deadly when a virus transforms politicians into ravenous zombie mutants. It's screening at 11:45 pm and 11:59 pm at the TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Night of the Kings will also premiere today. It follows a young man incarcerated in a prison in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and he must spend the whole night recounting a story if he hopes to survive. it screens at 3 pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox and later at 6 pm online at Bell Digital Cinema.

TIFF documentary Enemies of the State follows an American family who seeks refuge in Canada after their hacker son is targeted by the U.S. government in this bizarre story of secrets and lies. It screens 3 pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox and at 6 pm online at Bell Digital Cinema.

No Ordinary Man, about the legacy of Billy Tipton, a 20th-century American jazz musician and trans icon, is brought to life by a diverse group of contemporary trans artists. This doc screens at 8 pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Under the Open Sky, a poignant redemption drama following a middle-aged man as he adjusts to life outside of prison, screens at 7 pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Spring Blossom, which follows a bored Parisian teenager as she contemplates the pitfalls of growing up too fast when she falls in love with an older man, premieres at 7:30 pm at TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Films that also premiere today at 6 pm at Bell Digital Cinema are Shiva Baby and Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds.

Happy TIFF-ing! ~Marriska Fernandes

Tags:

David Byrne's American Utopia, Enemies of the State, Get the Hell Out, Night of the Kings, No Ordinary Man, Spring Blossom, Under the Open Sky

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