Ben Stiller Says Making Movies in Canada Is an “Amazing Experience” as Toronto Fest Kicks Off

Ben Stiller Says Making Movies in Canada Is an “Amazing Experience” as Toronto Fest Kicks Off

As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for movies and a penchant for Canadian landscapes, I must say that the return of the Toronto Film Festival after the strikes feels like a breath of fresh air. The opening night film, Nutcrackers, starring the illustrious Ben Stiller, promises to be an exciting ride, especially since it’s his first significant role since 2017.


On Thursday, I was part of the buzzing crowd at the Toronto Film Festival’s comeback after a strike. The opening night film, “Nutcrackers,” kicked off with a dazzling presence from Hollywood heavyweights like Ben Stiller and director David Gordon Green. It was quite a star-studded event!

Gordon Green presented Stiller to the eager audience at the lively Roy Thomson Hall, a city in Canada brimming with anticipation for movie festival merriment.

In a previous interview, Ben Stiller, who played the lead role in ‘Night at the Museum’, reminisced about his filmmaking experiences in Canada. “I’ve filmed numerous movies in Canada, and each time has been nothing short of fantastic,” Stiller shared.

As a gamer, I often find myself immersed in virtual worlds where settings can be interchangeable. Just like that, Canada, led by Justin Trudeau, is positioning itself as a versatile backdrop for Hollywood productions. However, it’s not just about standing in for American cities; our unique landscapes and vibrant cultures are increasingly becoming the perfect setting for homegrown Canadian stories. Trudeau emphasized that Canada is one of the rare places on earth that values diversity in storytelling, a crucial factor to resonate with global audiences.

Attending the premiere of my movies at TIFF feels akin to a life milestone, almost like the debut of each film I’ve created. (First person)

Leland Douglas’s work, titled “Nutcrackers“, presents the story of Mike (Stiller), a meticulous worker who finds himself in charge of his four nephews following their parents’ unfortunate car accident death. After several chaotic weeks on the farm, Mike comes to understand that he won’t have to seek a new home for these orphaned children; instead, they have found one for him.

The actors featured in the cast of “Nutcrackers” are Linda Cardellini, Edi Patterson, Tim Heidecker, and Toby Huss. This upcoming comedy is set to make its debut at TIFF, marking Ben Stiller’s first leading role in a film since 2017, when he appeared in Mike White’s “Brad’s Status” and Noah Baumbach’s Netflix series “The Meyerowitz Stories”.

This year, I’m excited to be part of the audience at Roy Thomson Hall, where a mainstream Hollywood comedy will be premiered – a refreshing change from the usual lineup of industry-focused films in festivals like Cannes and Venice. As a regular moviegoer, I can’t wait to join the crowd and enjoy this new release together!

As a devoted fan, I must say that Stiller’s blockbuster served as a refreshing change from the somber tone set by Hayao Miyazaki’s final masterpiece, “The Boy and the Heron“, at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Miyazaki’s swan song truly marked the beginning of TIFF’s 48th edition.

On Thursday earlier today, TIFF showcased red carpet debuts for Eddie Huang’s film “Vice Is Broke“, a documentary chronicling Vice Media’s transformation from prosperity to decline; Jia Zhang-Ke’s movie “Caught By the Tides“; and Samuel Van Grinsven’s production “Went Up The Hill“, featuring Vicky Krieps and Dacre Montgomery.

Toronto kicked off its program on Thursday with premieres for Durga Chew-Bose’s “Bonjour Tristesse”, featuring Chloe Sevigny, Samir Oliveros’s “The Luckiest Man in America”, and a Midnight Madness debut for “The Substance”, directed by Coralie Fargeat and starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley. These premieres took place at the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

Ben Stiller Says Making Movies in Canada Is an “Amazing Experience” as Toronto Fest Kicks Off

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2024-09-06 04:25