Top 7 Must-Watch Films From the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival 2024

This year, the annual event, as always, delivered far more than just star-studded red carpets and photo ops with A-listers like Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, and Denzel Washington. The festival’s magic stems from the strength of the city's rich cultural tapestry, where over 250 ethnicities and 170 languages are represented. What truly defines the festival is its power to showcase stories through the art of film to embrace the voices of diverse cultures and their perspectives.

Here's a closer look at seven must-watch films that emerged from this year's lineup:

Director: Woo Min-ho

Starring: Hyun Bin, Yee Dong-wook

Set against the backdrop of Korea's resistance to Japanese colonization (when Japan forced Korea into the Eulsa Treaty agreement in 1905), Harbin is a master class in historical drama. This gripping, emotionally charged film follows General Ahn Jung-Geun, an independence activist whose mission is to assassinate Itō Hirobumi (the first Japanese Resident-General of Korea). As Ahn, Hyun Bin delivers a riveting performance that immerses viewers in the character's tireless quest for justice. Lee Dong-wook, in his role as Lee Chang-seop, compliments that intensity with a powerful performance as a fellow freedom fighter.

Director: Reema Kagti

Starring: Adarsh Gourav, Vineet Kumar Singh, Shashank Arora

Superboys of Malegaon is a fictional film inspired by the true story of amateur filmmakers in Malegaon, India, who were initially featured in the 2008 documentary Supermen of Malegaon. It is a moving celebration of creativity, resilience, and the human spirit. The film chronicles the inspiring journey of Nasir Shaikh, an independent filmmaker from a small Indian town whose passion for cinema ignites a creative revolution in his community. Kagti's heartwarming narrative illustrates how passion can triumph over scarcity, turning modest beginnings into extraordinary achievements.

Director: Jacques Audiard

Starring: Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón

Bold, unconventional, and layered, Emilia Perez is a musical dramedy that takes on themes of identity and transformation with humor and originality. Karla Sofía Gascón gives a standout performance as a Mexican cartel leader, Manitas Del Monte, who undergoes gender reassignment surgery. What could easily have been a heavy-handed narrative is delivered with a blend of wit and heart. Zoe Saldaña's standout performance as the attorney, Rita Moro Castro, guides the crime lord's path to transformation, while Selena Gomez delivers a poignant performance as the drug lord's abandoned wife.

Director: E.oni

Starring: Kim Go-eun, Steve Sanghyun Noh

Against the backdrop of Seoul's traditional society, this film offers a heart-stirring journey through the intricacies of love, the bonds of friendship, and the challenging quest for self-discovery. Based on Park Sang-young's critically acclaimed novel, Love in the Big City tackles LGBTQ+ themes through the lives of Heung-soo (Steve Sanghyun Noh) and Jae-hee (Kim Go-eun), two college students who become the unlikeliest of friends. The chemistry between Kim Go-eun and Steve Sanghyun Noh is undeniable as they take viewers on a heartfelt journey of self-discovery, love, true friendship, and finding happiness.

Director: Malcolm Washington

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Danielle Deadwyler, John David Washington

Produced by Denzel Washington, The Piano Lesson is based on August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Boy Willie (John David Washington), his sister Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler), and their uncle Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson) deliver powerhouse performances as the family clashes over what to do with the family heirloom—a piano (the Charles family's cherished heirloom piano has carved faces of their enslaved great-grandparents). The film explores the power of family history, trauma, and legacy, interweaving generations into a compelling narrative.

Director: Sue Kim

This poignant documentary dives deep into the culture and lives of the Haenyeo, South Korea's legendary female divers on Jeju Island in The Last of the Sea Women. In their 60s to 80s, these remarkable fisherwomen continue the tradition of free-diving, holding their breath for up to two minutes underwater to harvest seafood for their communities, despite its physical toll and environmental challenges. The film is a beautiful tribute to these women's resilience and strength and a call to preserve their way of life to inspire a new generation. Executive producer Malala Yousaf lends her perspective to the film's message of women's empowerment and cultural preservation.

Director: Cosima Spender

Starring: Andrea Bocelli

This inspirational documentary probes deep into Andrea Bocelli's life, giving the viewer much more than a celebration of his remarkable music (although it does that, too). It's an intimate portrayal of a man who, despite losing his sight at the young age of 12, never lost his vision for a life driven by passion and faith. What sets this documentary apart is its ability to ground Bocelli in humanity—his struggles, triumphs, and unwavering belief in a higher purpose.