By There were portrayals of strength and resistance and stories behind the meaning of ancestral legacies and their power. There were many films to see and equally as many events to do.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t be everywhere at once. So, in our TIFF24 roundup, let's take a look back at a few of our favourite stand-out films, in no particular order.
- The Legend of The Vagabond Queen of Lagos
Gut-wrenching and triumphant, the real story behind The Legend of The Vagabond Queen of Lagos was brought to us by a seven-member set of creatives called The Agbajowo Collective—Atinkpo Elijah, Bisola Akinmuyiwa, Okechukwu Samuel, Ogungbamila Temitope, Edukpo Tina, James Tayler and Mathew Cerf. It’s a debut social-impact film that shines a light on forced evictions on the waterfront in Lagos, Nigeria. Corruption runs high, the rich couldn’t care less about the poor and the government is the last to intervene and support the community in need. But everything turns upside down when a young mother played flawlessly by Temi Ami-Willams (Jawu) finds a bag filled with blood money hidden by the greedy and corruptive Abisoro, played by actor Mr. Macaroni.
{https://youtu.be/5tw4oKHgkOQ?si=C-M6ODjmbfyhB470}
What’s special about this film is the casting, story and purpose. Pulled from headlines read daily of blood money being found in remote places in Lagos, It’s based on the 2017 demolition of informal settlements in Otodo Gbame. The cast was born from the same waterside villagers whose lives were shattered because of the destruction. The Agbajowo Collective’s purpose is to share their stories and promote the film in community screeners back home in Lagos. At the time of this writing, there was another massive round of forced evictions on September 14. Thousands of people are at risk of losing their homes, including community members who were part of the film. This is more than a creative piece, it’s a political message of resistance.
- The Village Keeper
Vulnerability, community, healing and grace are all themes intertwined in this beautiful and emotional film by director and writer Karen Chapman, and produced by Chapman and Enrique Miguel Baniqued. The Village Keeper is partly inspired by Chapman's late mother and tackles the rippling impact of domestic violence.
Jamaican-Nigerian actress Oluniké Adeliyi plays Beverly-Jean, who lives with her family in the Lawrence Heights community and is haunted by the murder of her abusive husband. We watch as she slowly starts to deteriorate and crumble under the pressure of grief, motherhood and community violence.
{https://youtu.be/LWbhvrZyWbw?si=4plMzCcCemvz_OBj}
Her relationships with her mother, son and daughter are trying, yet they’re the very glue that keeps her together. The entire family is coping with their demons as best as they can.
But it’s not until discussions are had, pathways are opened and they lean into grace, that we start to see the dynamic change for the better. You will feel seen as a mother, as a Black woman, or as someone who has experienced the complexities of "loving someone who hurts you" as Chapman describes.
It's an exceptional film that you can’t miss. Have your tissue handy.
- The Piano Lesson
A thought-provoking dramatic triumph is what I call The Piano Lesson. It is touched by the Washington family—Malcolm Washington directed it, his father—Hollywood great Denzel Washington—produced it alongside Todd Black, and his brother John David Washington stars in it. The film is adapted from August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and it is not their first foray either. Remember Denzel's turn in Fences?
{https://www.instagram.com/p/C_5o-SYR9A_/?hl=en}
And a phenomenal cast leads The Piano Lesson: Toronto’s own Stephan James, Samuel L. Jackson, Corrie Hawkins, Michael Potts, and we even get a jook joint, jazz singing Erykah Badu. But it’s the formidable performances of John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler that will turn heads.
The film’s lead is the heirloom passed down by the sibling’s ancestors: a hand-made piano carved with family history and embedded with deep wounds.
{https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZwjt0pjt8w}
The sibling rivalry stems from their opposing perspectives regarding how we make peace with or experience the legacy (stories, items, etc.) left to us by our ancestors. The end is an explosive and thrilling turn that will have viewers talking for a time to come. You can watch it on Netflix on November 22nd.
- Piece by Piece
We’re well aware of the magic Lego holds. It's powered by imaginations young and old across the world. Couple its simple innovation with the creative mind of Pharrell Williams, and you have a hit biographical documentary. Piece by Piece comes to life and tells the life story of one of the most ingenious producers of our time. Produced by The Lego Group, Tremolo Productions and I Am Other, and co-directed by Morgan Neville, the documentary itself is Williams personified; vibrant, colourful, humourous and original.
{https://www.instagram.com/p/C_0arVVxIvA/?hl=en}
The documentary focuses on Williams’ early love for music and his tendency to hear music in synesthesia—shapes and colours. It takes us through his musical journey with partner Chad Hugo (who he no longer communicates with and at the time of this writing is in a legal battle over The Neptunes’ name), to his life-changing meeting with Teddy Riley that propelled him into the industry. He speaks about following your dreams, making meaningful music, and selling out.
{https://youtu.be/7Bc6trBc1kc?si=5LOzf_D1CzaGn4-5}
The stand-out moments come courtesy of the video recreations of songs Williams produced. Interestingly enough, he even discusses the critical and political success of Kendrick Lamar’s unofficial Black Lives Matter anthem “Alright.” This is all contrary to his stance in the news right now where he’s catching the ire of the internet for stating that he ‘doesn’t do politics or want to hear about celebrities endorsing politicians.’
It doesn’t hurt that a handful of his famous friends like Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes and others make an appearance as well. Piece by Piece encaptures Williams’ visionary style and outlook. Nothing he ever does is basic and this is no different. It’s an enjoyable ride, Virginia Beach style.
Honourable mentions:
- R.T. Thorne’s debut post-apocalyptic film debut 40 Acres about family, hope and legacy.
- Juno and Grammy Award-winning artist K’naan’s first directorial outing in what he calls ‘an exercise in empathy’ with Mother, Mother.
- Milad Tangshir’s directorial debut, the gritty and in-your-face immigrant perspective of losing all you have while trying to live with the means you’re given in Anywhere, Anytime.
- Director Mati Diop takes the perspective of colonialism and race from 26 repatriated African artifacts from France to Benin and shares their stories and other heated discussions in Dahomey.
