TIFF opens with 'Evan Hansen'; closes with Zhang Yimou's 'One Second'

TORONTO — TIFF Co-Heads Cameron Bailey and Joana Vicente announced today that the feature-film adaptation of the Tony Award–winning musical Dear Evan Hansen is the Opening Night Gala Presentation at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival, screening Thursday, Sept 9, at Roy Thomson Hall. Additional screenings of the film, directed by Stephen Chbosky, will take place at the Visa Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre, the RBC Lakeside Drive-In at Ontario Place, and digitally on the digital TIFF Bell Lightbox platform.

Platt, as the title player, and Dever star in TIFF's opener.

"Dear Evan Hansen" is the story of a high-school senior with a debilitating anxiety disorder whose private letter to himself as part of a therapy exercise lands in the hands of a fellow classmate, with tragic consequences. The incident propels Evan on a journey of self-discovery that leads him toward belonging and acceptance, not only among the people who love him, but also by Evan himself. Starring Tony winner Ben Platt as Evan, along with Amy Adams, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Amandla Stenberg, and Nik Dodani, the movie also features songs from the original Broadway hit.

“There was no question that this was the ideal film to launch the Festival this year,” said Bailey, Artistic Director and TIFF Co-Head. “The film is ultimately about healing, forgiveness, and reaffirms how connected and essential we all are to one another. We couldn’t think of a more important idea to celebrate this year as we come together once again to share the power and joy of cinema in theatres together.”

“As TIFF resumed this year in the wake of a pandemic that marked and changed all of our lives, we felt it was important to open this year’s Festival with a film that connects to our shared humanity and that reminds us how deeply we need one another, need to be seen by one another, especially in times of loneliness and despair,” added Vicente, Executive Director and TIFF Co-Head.

The Closing Night Gala of TIFF 2021, One Second, is the newest offering from the acclaimed Chinese director, Zhang Yimou (of "Raise the Red Lantern" and "Hero" fame). The film tells the story of a travelling  projectionist and an escaped prisoner connected through cinema. “Every September we invite the whole film world to Toronto, one of the most diverse, movie-mad cities in the world,” said Bailey. “And to have Zhang Yimou’s film here, now, is a true joy.”

TIFF also announced the following first titles selected for the Festival’s Gala and Special Presentations, along with previously announced films (listed with an asterisk):

GALA PRESENTATIONS 2021

*Belfast Kenneth Branagh | United Kingdom World Premiere

Clifford the Big Red Dog Walt Becker | USA/United Kingdom/Canada World Premiere

Dear Evan Hansen Stephen Chbosky | USA World Premiere

The Electrical Life of Louis Wain Will Sharpe | United Kingdom Canadian Premiere

*Jagged Alison Klayman | USA World Premiere

*Last Night in Soho Edgar Wright | United Kingdom North American Premiere

*The Mad Women’s Ball (Le Bal des folles) Mélanie Laurent | France World Premiere

*Night Raiders Danis Goulet | Canada/New Zealand North American Premiere

One Second Zhang Yimou | China North American Premiere
 
The Survivor Barry Levinson | USA/Canada/Hungary World Premiere

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2021
 
Ali & Ava Clio Barnard | United Kingdom North American Premiere
 
All My Puny Sorrows Michael McGowan | Canada World Premiere
 
*Benediction Terence Davies | United Kingdom World Premiere

 Bergman Island Mia Hansen-Løve | France International Premiere
 
*Charlotte Eric Warin, Tahir Rana | Canada/France/Belgium World Premiere

*Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner | USA World Premiere

Drive My Car Ryusuke Hamaguchi | Japan North American Premiere

Encounter Michael Pearce | United Kingdom/USA International Premiere

The Eyes of Tammy Faye Michael Showalter | USA World Premiere
 
*The Guilty Antoine Fuqua | USA World Premiere

 I’m Your Man Maria Schrader | Germany North American Premiere
 
Inexorable Fabrice du Welz | Belgium/France International Premiere

*Lakewood Phillip Noyce | Canada World Premiere
 
The Middle Man Bent Hamer | Norway/Canada/Germany/Denmark World Premiere

Official Competition (Competencia Oficial) Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat | Spain/Argentina North American Premiere

Paris, 13th District (Les Olympiades) Jacques Audiard | France North American Premiere
 
*Petite Maman Céline Sciamma | France  Canadian Premiere
 
*The Starling Theodore Melfi | USA World Premiere
 
The Story of My Wife Ildikó Enyedi | Hungary/Germany/Italy/France North American Premiere

 Three Floors (Tre Piani) Nanni Moretti | Italy/France North American Premiere
 
Violet Justine Bateman | USA International Premiere
 
The Worst Person In The World (Verdens Verste Menneske) Joachim Trier | Norway/France/Sweden/Denmark North American Premiere

For more information, see tiff.net/galas and tiff.net/specialpresentations and check back here throughout the summer. The Toronto International Film Festival runs Sept. 9–18.