As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for inspiring stories and a knack for spotting emerging talent, I must say that “Unstoppable” left me absolutely awestruck at its world premiere at TIFF 2024. The two-minute standing ovation it received was well-deserved, not just for the star power it boasted, but more so for the powerful narrative it weaves.
In the ring for its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) last Friday was Unstoppable, a sports drama headlined by Jharrrel Jerome (from Moonlight) alongside Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle, and Bobby Cannavale. This powerful movie, directed by William Goldenberg, received a two-minute standing ovation.
The film’s plot revolves around the real-life journey of Anthony Robles, who graced the red carpet just like any other star. Despite being born without a right leg and facing a tumultuous upbringing, he persistently held onto his aspiration to become a wrestler.
As a passionate admirer, I must say that the premiere not only increased TIFF’s radiance with celebrities like Ben Stiller and Demi Moore following Thursday’s opening night, but it also granted an exclusive peek into the backstage happenings, allowing the director and cast to shed light on their working dynamics.
In the opening of his film, debut director Goldenberg expressed gratitude towards producers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, as well as their production company Artists Equity. He considers them invaluable partners and acknowledges their contributions. “I’ve been fortunate to have them by my side,” he stated. “Their support, help, and trust mean everything to me.” Goldenberg has collaborated with Affleck for almost 20 years as an editor, and he emphasized that Affleck’s belief in him was sometimes greater than his own self-belief. Thus, he expressed deep appreciation for Affleck’s backing and assistance in making it possible for him to direct this film.
At the premiere, Damon was present, however Affleck did not travel to Toronto for the event. In late August, singer and actress Lopez initiated a divorce from him, marking the end of their two-year marriage.
While the Q&A was ongoing, Robles’ genuine mother shared her thoughts about JLo’s portrayal with her: “You embodied me with my flair, yet also captured my spirit.
As a gamer, I’d say, ‘I recently opened up about my collaboration with Lopez on our movie. On the red carpet before its premiere, I told THR, ‘We share striking similarities in our mother-son bond.’ She’s deeply attached to her kids and cherishes them dearly. And let me tell you, I’m a momma’s boy through and through, I hold my mom close to my heart. So, we leveraged that connection to make our roles more authentic.
Beyond our mutual experiences, there’s another common factor: we’re both natives of the Bronx. This shared background sparked numerous discussions about enduring hardship while maintaining love and resilience. These talks eventually contributed to the unique bond we formed.
Regarding “Unstoppable,” Jerome explained to THR that it’s more than just a wrestling film. Instead, it’s a movie centered around family and triumphing over adversity.
As an ardent admirer recounting this, Goldenberg – the Oscar-nominated editor – expressed that his past experiences had primed him exceptionally for his directorial role in “Unstoppable.” He spent countless hours with some of the greatest directors worldwide, learning the craft of filmmaking from them and observing their techniques on set. He humbly attempted to apply these valuable lessons he gathered, hoping to leverage his editing skills as a storyteller. Essentially, it’s all about storytelling at its core.
At the red carpet premiere of #Unstoppable at #TIFF2024, Jennifer Lopez sparkled as she made her entrance at the Roy Thomson Hall.
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) September 6, 2024
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2024-09-07 03:54