Vanguard: 3 Must-See Films Redefining Global Cinema at VIFF 2024
Series programmer Sonja Baksa shares her top picks, showcasing international filmmakers breaking genre boundaries and cinematic traditions.
by Glenn Alderson
- Published on
The Vanguard series at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) is a celebration of emerging international voices in cinema. This year, Vanguard programmer Sonja Baksa has curated a lineup that pushes boundaries, offering fresh perspectives from around the globe. Proudly sponsored by RANGE Magazine, these films blur genre lines, challenge expectations, and introduce audiences to new ways of storytelling.
Below, we asked Sonja to share her thoughts on three standout films from this year’s series.
Toxic (Dir. Saulė Bliuvaitė)
In its North American premiere, Toxic arrives fresh off winning the Golden Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival. Saulė Bliuvaitė’s debut is a bold exploration of teenage volatility, following a group of Lithuanian girls targeted by a dubious modeling agency. Baksa describes Toxic as “a striking blend of social realism and choreographed style, pulling back the curtain on adolescent fragility while capturing moments of raw female intimacy and camaraderie.”
Friday September 27 (6:15 pm) + Friday October 04 (3:30 pm)
Red Path (Dir. Lotfi Achour)
Lotfi Achour’s second feature is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful look at grief and loss in a remote Tunisian community. According to Baksa, Red Path is “equal parts harrowing and deeply gentle,” as it captures the beauty of desolate landscapes and strong community ties, all while addressing complex cultural and geopolitical dynamics. The film’s striking cinematography complements its sensitive portrayal of a teenage boy navigating profound personal loss.
Saturday September 28 (6:30 pm) + Sunday September 29 (8:45 pm)
Familiar Touch (Dir. Sarah Friedland)
Sarah Friedland’s directorial debut, Familiar Touch, has already garnered major accolades, winning Best Director and Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival’s Orizzonti awards. Baksa praises Friedland’s work as “a poetic study of an elderly woman’s transition to assisted living.” With Kathleen Chalfant delivering a powerhouse performance, Baksa highlights how Friedland “mines the subtle physical expressions of cognitive decline” while exploring the protagonist’s struggle to retain her dignity in the face of life-altering change.
Saturday October 05 (8:30 pm) + Sunday October 06 (1:30 pm)
For tickets & more info on the Vanguard series at the Vancouver International Film Festival visit viff.org
By Prabhjot Bains
Christopher Nolan’s adaptation succeeds less as a self-serious prestige epic and more as an unintentional, gloriously oversized B-movie.
By Prabhjot Bains
David Wain’s Wizard of Oz riff recalls the unabashedly silly, proudly low-brow fare that once occupied a key part of the pop-cultural fabric.
By Prabhjot Bains
From Greg Arakki’s long-awaited return to Nolan’s mythically gargantuan Greek epic, here is what to watch in July.
By Prabhjot Bains
Olivia Wilde’s crackling comedy of manners feels more emotionally expansive than the grandest of studio epics.
By Prabhjot Bains
Adrian Chiarella’s queer horror reflects painful social realities.
By Prabhjot Bains
Steven Spielberg’s best film in 20 years is the spiritual culmination of his career-spanning fascination with alien life.
By Prabhjot Bains
From Spielberg’s return to a reimagining of a classic legend, here is what to watch in June.
By Prabhjot Bains
Director John Carney's charming ode to dreamers and second chances is on key.
By Prabhjot Bains
Daniel Roher fine-tunes the familiar tropes and beats of crime fiction to near-harmonious perfection.
By Prabhjot Bains
Kane Parsons, the youngest director ever to receive studio backing, crafts an atmospheric feast that reckons with our current state of unchecked modernization.
