Cinema from Spain at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

Cannibal

Directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca. In the sleepy Spanish town of Granada, a mild-mannered tailor and secret cannibal unexpectedly finds himself falling in love with his latest prospective victim, in director Manuel Martín Cuenca’s disturbing yet intoxicating tale of bizarre romance.

On Friday, September 6 at 8 pm – Winter Garden Centre; Saturday, September 8 at 4:30 pm – Scotiabank 2; Saturday, September 14 at 8:30 pm – Scotiabank 2.

Enemy

Directed by Denis Villeneuve. Jake Gyllenhaal, Mélanie Laurent (Inglourious Basterds) and Sarah Gadon (Cosmopolis) star in the new film by Academy Award-nominated director Denis Villeneuve (Incendies), a brilliant adaptation of the Nobel Prize-winning author José Saramago’s novel The Double.

On Sunday, September 8 at 6 pm – Ryerson Theatre; Monday, September 9 at 10:30 pm – TIFF Bell Lightbox 1.

Gloria

Directed by Sebastián Leilo. Paulina García won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for her performance as a vivacious, middle-aged divorcée who finds what may be her last chance for love while grooving on the dance floor of the local singles club.

On Monday, September 9 at 7:45 pm – TIFF Bell Litghtbox 1; Tuesday, September 10 at 5 pm – Scotiabank 2.

Ignasi M.

Directed by Ventura Pons. Spanish director Ventura Pons returns to documentary filmmaking with this study of world-renowned museum expert Ignasi Millet. HIV-positive yet promiscuous, accustomed to opulence yet now struggling to endure Spain’s economic crisis, Ignasi is a fascinating set of contradictions — and Pons’ film is a portrait of both the man and his times.

On Sunday, September 8 at 7:15 pm – Scotiabank 13; Tuesday, September 10 at 12 pm – Jackman Hall; Saturday, September 14 at 5:15 pm - Scotiabank 9.

The kids from the port

Directed by Alberto Morais. In this charming neorealist gem set on the sleepy outskirts of Valencia, young Miguel and his friends undertake a seemingly simple mission on behalf of Miguel’s grandfather that teaches them all a lesson in real independence.

On Wednesday, September 11 at 9:45 pm – Scotiabank 13; Thursday, September 12 at 6:45 pm – Scotiabank 4; Friday, September 13 at 5 pm – Scotiabank 4.

The liberator

Directed by Alberto Arvelo. Rising international star Édgar Ramírez (Carlos) stars in this enthralling epic about Venezuelan political leader Simón Bolívar and his lifelong quest to bring autonomy and democracy to the Americas.

On Monday, September 9 at 10 pm – Isabel Barder Theatre; Tuesday, September 10 at 6:15 pm – Scotiabank 13; Friday, September 13 at 5 pm – Scotiabank 1.

People in places

Directed by Juan Cavestany. Working with the tiniest of micro-budgets, playwright and independent filmmaker Juan Cavestany stages a series of bizarre, Buñuelian scenarios that offer a cracked view of contemporary Spain in the wake of the economic crisis.

On Friday, September 6 at 7:15 pm – TIFF Bell Lightbox 3; Saturday, September 7 at 4:30 pm – Scotiabank 9; Friday, September 13 at 9 pm – Scotiabank 4.

Story of my death

Directed by Albert Serra. Following his radical (re-)interpretations of Cervantes' Don Quixote (Honor de Cavalleria) and the Biblical tale of the Three Kings (Birdsong), celebrated Catalan filmmaker Albert Serra imagines an encounter between two other legendary figures of world literature — Casanova and Count Dracula — in this deliciously eccentric and exquisitely detailed riff on the historical costume drama.

On Thursday, September 5 at 9:30 pm - TIFF Bell Lightbox 3; Friday, September 6 at 12 pm – Jackman Hall; Sunday, September 15 at 9:45 pm – TIFF Bell Lightbox 4.

Witching & Bitching

Directed by Alex de la Iglesia. Fleeing through the impenetrable forests of the Basque countryside after a jewel heist, a hapless band of robbers runs afoul of a coven of witches, in this madcap supernatural spectacle from Spanish genre specialist Alex de la Iglesia (The Last Circus).

On Saturday, September 14 at 11:59 pm – Ryerson Theatre; Sunday, September 15 at 12 pm – Scotaibank 14.

Zip & Zap and the marble Gang

Directed by Óskar Santos. Zip & Zap, Spain’s most beloved mischief makers, land on the big screen at last in this action-packed escapade, which pits the comic book heroes against the nefarious headmaster of a rural reform school.

On Sunday, Sep 8 at 4 pm - Scotiabank 9; Saturday, Sep 14 at 2:30 pm - TIFF Bell Lightbox 4.

Venue

Various venues in Toronto

Phone

1-888-599-8433

More information

Festival's website

Credits