This year, I had the honor of being invited to attend the Toronto International Film Festival for the first time, where I served as an Industry Delegate aH. I’m still reeling from all the narratives, visuals, and fresh perspectives!
After 10 days, multiple conferences, and 15 films, these are the ones I can’t stop thinking about:
Little Jaffna
(dir. & written by Lawrence Valin)
[France | 2024 | 100m | French, Tamil]
Lawrence Valin’s Little Jaffna is more than just a crime drama; it’s a delicate dance between identity, loyalty, and belonging. The aerial shots sweep across Paris' outskirts, capturing the French-Tamil community rarely shown on screen—vivid, chaotic, and teeming with life. The action sequences, from intense chases through crowded streets to rooftop showdowns, feel rooted in lived experiences. Valin’s visual storytelling mirrors the emotional complexity of Michael’s internal conflict, blending a gritty socio-political narrative with stunning, immersive cinematography, and a killer soundtrack.
Bonjour Tristesse
(dir. & written by Durga Chew-Bose)
[Canada, Germany | 2024 | 110m | English, French]
Bonjour Tristesse immerses us in the languid complexities of Cécile's world, where sunlit villas mask dark emotions. The tight framing isolates characters, mirroring their internal conflicts, while off-screen voices evoke a haunting sense of emotional distance. It beautifully captures how we perform normalcy, even as our doubts fester beneath the surface.
Superboys of Malegaon
(written by Varun Grover, dir. by Reema Kagti)
[India | 2024 | 127m | Hindi]
Superboys of Malegaon captures the earnest, relentless pursuit of filmmaking dreams, set against the backdrop of a small, close-knit Indian-Muslim community. Nasir’s parallel to Jo March from Little Women—stubbornly creative but bound by financial pressures—raises timeless questions about art versus commerce. It’s a powerful reflection on the conflict between personal storytelling and the drive for commercial success, delivered with a warmth that feels almost autobiographical.
Perfumed With Mint
(dir. & written by Muhammed Hamdy)
[Egypt, France, Tunisia, Qatar | 2024 | 111m | Arabic]
Muhammed Hamdy’s directorial debut is a visual feast. Each frame feels like a painting, layered with symbolic depth. The film’s slow-burn suspense is crafted through routine, sunlight, and shadow, making it a masterclass in cinematography. It left me wanting to dive deeper into film staging. Its fluid camera movements, tracking subtle shifts in conversation, left me marveling at the elegance of Hamdy’s storytelling—each frame a study in tension and restraint.
Love In The Big City
(written by Nadeul Kim, dir. by E.oni)
[South Korea | 2024 | 118m | Korean]
A tender, unorthodox look at modern friendship, Love in the Big City subverts the "gay best friend" trope with raw vulnerability. Its introspective dialogue lingers long after the credits roll, making you question your own relationships and emotional boundaries. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that hits harder than any typical rom-com. A heartfelt, must-watch.
