Shonali Bose’s The Sky Is Pink , starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar and Zaira Wasim, will have its world premiere in the Gala Presentation section at the 44th Toronto International Film Festival that runs from September 5 to 15 this year.
Produced by Ronnie Screwvala’s RSVP and Siddharth Roy Kapur’s Roy Kapur Films, in association with Ivanhoe Pictures and Ms Chopra Jonas’ Purple Pebble Pictures, the film is the love story of a couple, spanning 25 years, told through the lens of their teenage daughter, diagnosed with terminal illness.
After Amu and Margarita with a Straw , this is Ms Bose’s third film to premiere at TIFF. “ The Sky Is Pink is a deeply personal and an incredibly special film for me. At its core, this is an extraordinary story of what it means to be a family,” she said.
“ The Sky Is Pink is a story that I connected with from the minute I heard it and in Shonali’s hands, it’s been crafted into a moving, beautiful film that will renew our faith in love and life… I’m looking forward to being back at TIFF to showcase our small package of love to the world,” said Ms Chopra Jonas.
Mr Screwvala, whose film Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota , directed by Vasan Bala, won the People’s Choice award in Midnight Madness section at TIFF last year said that “ The Sky Is Pink is a story for audiences across the globe”. “From the moment that Shonali shared this incredible story with us, we knew that it had the potential to resonate with audiences around the world,” said Mr Roy Kapur of his first production at Roy Kapur Films.
The film is slated to release worldwide on October 11, 2019.
Meanwhile, Radioactive , the Marie and Pierre Curie biopic directed by Marjane Satrapi of Persepolis fame, will be the Closing Night Gala Presentation at TIFF with its world premiere on September 14. The film is based on the graphic novel by Lauren Redniss, Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie, A Tale of Love and Fallout.
“I love that we are closing off the festival with a story helmed by a woman about a strong woman at the forefront,” said Joana Vicente, TIFF Co-Head and Executive Director, adding, “Rosamund Pike gives an unforgettable performance as the legendary scientist. Her nuanced performance illustrates the struggle Curie endured that ultimately led to her defying all the odds.”
“Marie Curie was a revolutionary, both as a scientist and as a woman in science,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF Co-Head and Artistic Director. “Her story deserves the vital, contemporary treatment Radioactive delivers. Marjane Satrapi’s singular voice as a filmmaker always surprises; here, she guides the always outstanding Rosamund Pike to one of her strongest performances, capturing the brilliance and fire of a remarkable mind,” said Mr Bailey.
“This film is a celebration of Madame Curie —an extraordinary woman — and its message could not be more timely,” said Ms Satrapi.
The festival opens with the Canadian film, Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band by Daniel Roher.
The first round of titles: 18 Galas and 38 Special Presentations, were announced today. Of the Gala films, 50 per cent of titles are directed or co-directed by women — a record number for the programme.
This year’s selection also includes 29 world premieres, six international premieres, 13 North American Premieres, and eight Canadian Premieres and showcase filmmakers like Taika Waititi, Rian Johnson, Alejandro Amenábar, Thom Zimny and Bruce Springsteen, Atom Egoyan, Noah Baumbach, Michael Winterbottom, Steven Soderbergh, Todd Phillips, Fernando Meirelles and Roger Michell among others.
