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MPRM Communications | TIFF Slate 2024
ICK- Midnight Madness
Contact: [email protected]
Director: Joseph Kahn
Writers: Samuel Laskey, Joseph Kahn, Dan Koontz
Producers: Steven Schneider, Joseph Kahn
Sales Contact: CAA
Main Cast: Brandon Routh, Mena Suvari, Malina Weissman
Running Time: 87 minutes
Toronto Website
*No pre-screening links available
Award-winning film and music video director Joseph Kahn returns to the TIFF Midnight section after previously sharing Bodied which won the Audience Award in 2017. Now, he brings another midnight treat to TIFF with his latest film, ICK.
Ex-jock turned science teacher Hank (Brandon Routh) is stuck in his hometown of Eastbrook, always wondering what life would be like if he had become a professional athlete. Now, he spends his days teaching chemistry to a bunch of disinterested teens. Here he reunites with Grace (Malina Weissman), the daughter of his childhood sweetheart (Mena Suvari). Things take a drastic turn when a mysterious dormant substance known as the 'ICK’, begins to spread rapidly throughout the town, Hank and his disillusioned students join forces to combat the gruesome creature.
Their journey to defeat ‘ICK’ turns into a horrifying battle for survival not only testing their courage but also navigating the chaos of their complex personal connection.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Director Joseph Kahn and cast Brandon Routh, Malina Weissman, and Mena Suvari
THE LAST REPUBLICAN- TIFF Docs
Contact: thelastrepublican@mprm.com
Director: Steve Pink
Producers: Jason Kohn, Chapin Wilson, Robb Bindler, Sarafina DiFelice and
Steve Pink
Executive Producer: Kevin Morris
Sales Contact: Submarine
Running Time: 85 mins
Toronto Website
Displaying an unwavering commitment to putting country over self, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger sacrificed his career and personal relationships by publicly demanding accountability for Donald Trump’s role in the January 6 insurrection. Filmed during Kinzinger’s final year in Congress, THE LAST REPUBLICAN reveals behind-the-scenes insights into the explosive January 6 committee hearings while delving into what drove him to take a stand as well as the lasting impact of his decision.
Comedy writer, director, and far-left progressive Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine, High Fidelity) formed an unlikely and often hilarious friendship with Kinzinger during their time together. Despite their political differences, Pink and Kinzinger’s mutual respect and shared humanity offer a timely reminder that civil discourse is possible—even in a deeply divided America.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Director Steve Pink and participant Adam Kinzinger
SHOOK- Discovery
Contact: Shook@mprm.com
Director: Amar Wala
Writers: Amar Wala, Adnan Khan
Producers: Karen Harnisch, Amar Wala
Sales Contact: UTA
Main Cast: Bernard White, Saamer Usmani, and Amy Forsyth
Running Time: 113 minutes
Toronto Website
Fresh out of grad-school, fledgling writer Ashish (Saamer Usmani) finds that life as an adult isn’t quite what he expected. Grappling with his parent’s recent divorce, Ash juggles his static career, a tight group of lifelong friends and his estranged father’s unexpected Parkinson’s diagnosis. As a promising new romance with Claire (Amy Forsyth) breathes new hope into Ash, he begins to realize that although life isn’t unfolding quite as he had imagined, it may still offer the love and fulfillment he wants, in an unexpected way.
In his narrative feature debut, writer-director Amar Wala (The Secret Trial 5) and co-writer Adnan Khan draw inspiration from Wala’s personal experiences with his own father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and the challenges of navigating his 20s. Saamer Usmani (3 Body Problem, Inventing Anna) shines in a standout performance, including Amy Forsyth (The Gilded Age, CODA), and Bernard White (The Matrix Revolutions, Beef), that brings humor and heart to a story that is both funny and profound.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Director Amar Wala and cast Saamer Usmani, Amy Forsyth, and Bernard White
SPACE COWBOY - TIFF Docs
Contact: SpaceCowboy@mprm.com
Directors/Producers: Marah Strauch, Bryce Leavitt
Executive Producers: Richard Valenzuela, Chance Wright, Lars Sylvest
Sales Contact: Submarine
Running Time: 95 minutes
Toronto Website
Joe Jennings, an innovator in the world of skydiving, has spent decades capturing breathtaking aerial moments with his camera for extreme sports competitions, Super Bowl commercials, and Hollywood blockbusters. Driven by a passion for "camera flying" in his youth, Joe cultivated a deep friendship with fellow skydiver Rob Harris, partnering to become one of the most influential skysurfing teams in history.
Flying at the top of their game, Joe’s world was shattered when tragedy struck, leaving him to navigate the skies alone. Never giving up, he continued to push the boundaries of aerial cinematography and skydiving, finding solace in the clouds while grappling with profound grief and depression. Now, at 62, this pioneering skydiver is taking on a new challenge, elevating his art with an ambitious “flying car” stunt.
Veteran filmmaker Marah Strauch, whose Sunshine Superman also premiered at TIFF, and co-director Bryce Leavitt, making his directorial debut, delve into Joe's extraordinary 40-year career in the sky. Through stunning archival footage, revealing interviews, and dramatic verité, they uncover a deeper emotional journey as Joe navigates loss, depression, and the challenge of balancing a life in the sky with the realities on the ground.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Directors Marah Strauch and Bryce Leavitt and participant Joe Jennings
THE SWEDISH TORPEDO - Centrepiece
Contact: [email protected]
Director: Frida Kempff
Producers: Klaus Heydemann, Elina Litvinova, Sebastian Schelenz, Riina Sildos and Gaida Talu
Executive Producers: Erik Andersson and David Herdies
Running Time: 120 min
Sales Contact: Urban Sales
Toronto Website
In the summer of 1939, with World War II looming, 30-year-old single mother Sally
Bauer (Josefin Neldén) is determined to become the first Scandinavian to swim the
English Channel. Confronted with societal and familial pressures, including a threat to take away her beloved son, she courageously defies conventions to pursue her dreams.
In THE SWEDISH TORPEDO, filmmaker Frida Kempff (Knocking, Sundance 2021) and star Josefin Neldén (Border, 438 Days) masterfully capture the timeless story of a woman defying expectations to pursue her goals and break societal norms.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Director Frida Kempff and star Josefin Neldén
VIKTOR - Platform Programme
Contact: [email protected]
Director: Olivier Sarbil
Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Brendan Naylor, Dylan Golden, Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjær, Philippe Levasseur
Executive Producers: Ari Handel, Romain Bessi, Jenny Raskin, Geralyn White Dreyfus, Meadow Fund
Running Time: 91 minutes
Toronto Website
Viktor, a young deaf man in Kharkiv, watches warily during the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A fan of samurai films and raised on stories of war, he dreams of becoming a warrior but is repeatedly denied when he tries to enlist. Eager to find purpose, Viktor embarks on a quest to find his place in the midst of a war he cannot hear.
One of the rare documentaries to premiere in the prestigious Platform programme at TIFF, VIKTOR beautifully weaves black and white imagery with sound design that reflects Viktor’s own experience of the world. Acclaimed filmmaker and veteran war cinematographer Olivier Sarbil (MOSUL, ON THE PRESIDENT’S ORDERS) brought his unique experience with conflict and single-sided deafness to his relationship with Viktor, creating a close collaboration that is reflected in the personal, intimate story that unfolds on screen.
Contact: [email protected]
Director: Joseph Kahn
Writers: Samuel Laskey, Joseph Kahn, Dan Koontz
Producers: Steven Schneider, Joseph Kahn
Sales Contact: CAA
Main Cast: Brandon Routh, Mena Suvari, Malina Weissman
Running Time: 87 minutes
Toronto Website
*No pre-screening links available
Award-winning film and music video director Joseph Kahn returns to the TIFF Midnight section after previously sharing Bodied which won the Audience Award in 2017. Now, he brings another midnight treat to TIFF with his latest film, ICK.
Ex-jock turned science teacher Hank (Brandon Routh) is stuck in his hometown of Eastbrook, always wondering what life would be like if he had become a professional athlete. Now, he spends his days teaching chemistry to a bunch of disinterested teens. Here he reunites with Grace (Malina Weissman), the daughter of his childhood sweetheart (Mena Suvari). Things take a drastic turn when a mysterious dormant substance known as the 'ICK’, begins to spread rapidly throughout the town, Hank and his disillusioned students join forces to combat the gruesome creature.
Their journey to defeat ‘ICK’ turns into a horrifying battle for survival not only testing their courage but also navigating the chaos of their complex personal connection.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Director Joseph Kahn and cast Brandon Routh, Malina Weissman, and Mena Suvari
THE LAST REPUBLICAN- TIFF Docs
Contact: thelastrepublican@mprm.com
Director: Steve Pink
Producers: Jason Kohn, Chapin Wilson, Robb Bindler, Sarafina DiFelice and
Steve Pink
Executive Producer: Kevin Morris
Sales Contact: Submarine
Running Time: 85 mins
Toronto Website
Displaying an unwavering commitment to putting country over self, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger sacrificed his career and personal relationships by publicly demanding accountability for Donald Trump’s role in the January 6 insurrection. Filmed during Kinzinger’s final year in Congress, THE LAST REPUBLICAN reveals behind-the-scenes insights into the explosive January 6 committee hearings while delving into what drove him to take a stand as well as the lasting impact of his decision.
Comedy writer, director, and far-left progressive Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine, High Fidelity) formed an unlikely and often hilarious friendship with Kinzinger during their time together. Despite their political differences, Pink and Kinzinger’s mutual respect and shared humanity offer a timely reminder that civil discourse is possible—even in a deeply divided America.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Director Steve Pink and participant Adam Kinzinger
SHOOK- Discovery
Contact: Shook@mprm.com
Director: Amar Wala
Writers: Amar Wala, Adnan Khan
Producers: Karen Harnisch, Amar Wala
Sales Contact: UTA
Main Cast: Bernard White, Saamer Usmani, and Amy Forsyth
Running Time: 113 minutes
Toronto Website
Fresh out of grad-school, fledgling writer Ashish (Saamer Usmani) finds that life as an adult isn’t quite what he expected. Grappling with his parent’s recent divorce, Ash juggles his static career, a tight group of lifelong friends and his estranged father’s unexpected Parkinson’s diagnosis. As a promising new romance with Claire (Amy Forsyth) breathes new hope into Ash, he begins to realize that although life isn’t unfolding quite as he had imagined, it may still offer the love and fulfillment he wants, in an unexpected way.
In his narrative feature debut, writer-director Amar Wala (The Secret Trial 5) and co-writer Adnan Khan draw inspiration from Wala’s personal experiences with his own father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and the challenges of navigating his 20s. Saamer Usmani (3 Body Problem, Inventing Anna) shines in a standout performance, including Amy Forsyth (The Gilded Age, CODA), and Bernard White (The Matrix Revolutions, Beef), that brings humor and heart to a story that is both funny and profound.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Director Amar Wala and cast Saamer Usmani, Amy Forsyth, and Bernard White
SPACE COWBOY - TIFF Docs
Contact: SpaceCowboy@mprm.com
Directors/Producers: Marah Strauch, Bryce Leavitt
Executive Producers: Richard Valenzuela, Chance Wright, Lars Sylvest
Sales Contact: Submarine
Running Time: 95 minutes
Toronto Website
Joe Jennings, an innovator in the world of skydiving, has spent decades capturing breathtaking aerial moments with his camera for extreme sports competitions, Super Bowl commercials, and Hollywood blockbusters. Driven by a passion for "camera flying" in his youth, Joe cultivated a deep friendship with fellow skydiver Rob Harris, partnering to become one of the most influential skysurfing teams in history.
Flying at the top of their game, Joe’s world was shattered when tragedy struck, leaving him to navigate the skies alone. Never giving up, he continued to push the boundaries of aerial cinematography and skydiving, finding solace in the clouds while grappling with profound grief and depression. Now, at 62, this pioneering skydiver is taking on a new challenge, elevating his art with an ambitious “flying car” stunt.
Veteran filmmaker Marah Strauch, whose Sunshine Superman also premiered at TIFF, and co-director Bryce Leavitt, making his directorial debut, delve into Joe's extraordinary 40-year career in the sky. Through stunning archival footage, revealing interviews, and dramatic verité, they uncover a deeper emotional journey as Joe navigates loss, depression, and the challenge of balancing a life in the sky with the realities on the ground.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Directors Marah Strauch and Bryce Leavitt and participant Joe Jennings
THE SWEDISH TORPEDO - Centrepiece
Contact: [email protected]
Director: Frida Kempff
Producers: Klaus Heydemann, Elina Litvinova, Sebastian Schelenz, Riina Sildos and Gaida Talu
Executive Producers: Erik Andersson and David Herdies
Running Time: 120 min
Sales Contact: Urban Sales
Toronto Website
In the summer of 1939, with World War II looming, 30-year-old single mother Sally
Bauer (Josefin Neldén) is determined to become the first Scandinavian to swim the
English Channel. Confronted with societal and familial pressures, including a threat to take away her beloved son, she courageously defies conventions to pursue her dreams.
In THE SWEDISH TORPEDO, filmmaker Frida Kempff (Knocking, Sundance 2021) and star Josefin Neldén (Border, 438 Days) masterfully capture the timeless story of a woman defying expectations to pursue her goals and break societal norms.
TALENT AVAILABLE:
Director Frida Kempff and star Josefin Neldén
VIKTOR - Platform Programme
Contact: [email protected]
Director: Olivier Sarbil
Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Brendan Naylor, Dylan Golden, Sigrid Jonsson Dyekjær, Philippe Levasseur
Executive Producers: Ari Handel, Romain Bessi, Jenny Raskin, Geralyn White Dreyfus, Meadow Fund
Running Time: 91 minutes
Toronto Website
Viktor, a young deaf man in Kharkiv, watches warily during the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. A fan of samurai films and raised on stories of war, he dreams of becoming a warrior but is repeatedly denied when he tries to enlist. Eager to find purpose, Viktor embarks on a quest to find his place in the midst of a war he cannot hear.
One of the rare documentaries to premiere in the prestigious Platform programme at TIFF, VIKTOR beautifully weaves black and white imagery with sound design that reflects Viktor’s own experience of the world. Acclaimed filmmaker and veteran war cinematographer Olivier Sarbil (MOSUL, ON THE PRESIDENT’S ORDERS) brought his unique experience with conflict and single-sided deafness to his relationship with Viktor, creating a close collaboration that is reflected in the personal, intimate story that unfolds on screen.
