The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) concluded its run with a major statement, awarding its coveted People's Choice Award to "La Bola Negra." This sprawling Netflix epic, directed by the Spanish duo known as Los Javis, follows three generations of gay men through nearly a century of Spanish history, spanning 1932, 1937, and 2017. Shot on 35mm and inspired by Federico García Lorca, the film's win immediately positions it as a formidable contender for the International Feature Oscar, but its broader appeal suggests it could also vie for Best Picture. In the past decade, nine out of ten TIFF People's Choice winners have gone on to secure a Best Picture nomination, with two even taking home the top prize. This bodes well for Netflix's ambitions, which has yet to win a Best Picture Oscar.
Meanwhile, the Venice Film Festival and Telluride seemed to converge on one standout performance: John Malkovich in Martin McDonagh's "Wild Horse Nine." Malkovich received a 13-minute standing ovation at Venice and was honored with a Silver Medallion tribute at Telluride, culminating in his Volpi Cup win for Best Actor at Venice. He portrays a dying CIA agent dispatched to Easter Island amidst the tense backdrop of Chile's 1973 coup, delivering a performance described as a compelling blend of menace and tenderness. Having been nominated twice before, Malkovich's return to the Oscar conversation after a significant absence provides a compelling narrative for Searchlight Pictures, which releases the film on November 6.
The Best Actress race also saw an early frontrunner emerge at Telluride: Julianne Moore for her role in Jesse Eisenberg's third directorial feature, "The Debut." Moore's portrayal of Mona Friedman, a meek New Jersey homemaker who finds her voice in community theater, captivated audiences, earning mid-movie and post-credits applause—a rare feat at festivals. While Moore already possesses an Oscar for "Still Alice," her performance in "The Debut" is seen as a fresh, unguarded turn, which A24 will need to emphasize to avoid the perception of a mere victory lap. Venice, however, presented an alternative with Mathilde Arcel, a newcomer who won the Volpi Cup for her lead role in "Woman Unknown," which also claimed the Golden Lion.
Beyond individual performances, the festivals suggest a wide-open and competitive Best Picture field. While "La Bola Negra" topped TIFF, Peter Farrelly's "I Play Rocky" and Siân Heder's "Being Heumann" were also strong crowd-pleasers, placing second and third, respectively. Notably, films like "Wild Horse Nine" and "The Debut" did not crack TIFF's top three, but history shows this isn't necessarily a death knell for Oscar hopes; "The Shape of Water" and "Moonlight" both won Best Picture after missing the TIFF podium. The Academy's largest branch, actors, often gravitates towards films that celebrate the craft of acting, a theme present in movies like "Elsinore" and "The Debut." This trend, seen in past winners like "All About Eve" and "Birdman," could prove advantageous in a year defined by artistic integrity amid industry shifts. However, as always, it's still early in the season, and the race remains highly fluid until nominations are announced in January.
Link to the original article on Variety.com