This is a déjà vu statement but every year I am astounded by the selection of fabulous films the programmers at TIFF procure. And the ever increasing amount of female directors is so reassuring. Share Her Journey is paying dividends. I have over 30 films scheduled, 7 directed by women, and I have every intention of keeping my energy up to see all of them. There are themes, some unintentional, running through my selections this year. Perhaps my subconscious is at play. Overlap noted (*)

F’d Up Families

• Honey Boy
• Waves
• The True Story of the Kelly Gang
• Jungleland
• Knives Out
• Blow the Man Down

For Better or Worse (or Maybe Not)

• Marriage Story
• Ordinary Love
• La Belle Époque
• Portrait of a Lady on Fire
• Sorry We Missed You

Italian Crime

• The Traitor
• Burnt Orange Heresy

WWII, There’s Abouts

• The Painted Bird
• Jojo Rabbit
• While at War
• The Song of Names

Dudes Being Tested

• Sound of Metal
• Greed
• Ford v Ferrari
• Dolemite Is My Name
• The Personal History of David Copperfield
• Uncut Gems
• The Goldfinch

Incarceration

• Clemency
• Just Mercy
• The Platform

Books on Film

• The Goldfinch
• The True Story of the Kelly Gang
• The Painted Bird
• Just Mercy
• The Personal History of David Copperfield

Films Directed by Women, including two creepy Irish ones.

• Portrait of a Lady on Fire *
• 37 Seconds
• Clemency *
• Honey Boy *
• Blow the Man Down *
• Sea Fever
• Saint Maud

And last but not least, Part 5 of Mark Cousins’ Women Make Film documentary.

Looking forward to a very week full of film, family and friends. I’ll endeavour to post brief unspoiled reviews as I go.