The first titles for TIFF 2022

DRIVE MY CAR is an impressive drama from Japan by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, one of the most acclaimed directors working in Asia today. He’s previously directed films such as Happy Hour (2015) and Asako I & II (2018). His new film tells the story about the preparations for a stage production of Anton Tsjekhov’s Uncle Vanya at an alternative theater in Hiroshima. We get close to an ensemble where rivalry, heartbreak and loss is bubbling and makings its way to the surface, while also keeping a bright red Saab in the center of its plot.

The film, which is based on a novella by Haruki Murakami won the award for best screenplay as well as the FIPRESCI critics award at this year’s Cannes film festival. The film is also a personal favourite in the program for TIFF festival director Lisa Hoen.

- DRIVE MY CAR is a beautiful film that I think will be a highlight for a lot of people at this upcoming TIFF. It has a very special and engaging atmosphere, that is recognizable from the novella by Murakami, and I feel the film has something important to say about language and communicating, says Hoen.

DRIVE MY CAR will have its Norwegian cinema distribution by Arthaus. Watch the trailer below.

Something entirely different comes from Iceland, in the form of the much talked about feature film LAMB. After its world premiere at this year’s Cannes film festival the film has been hailed at many festivals worldwide – creating an unmistakable word of mouth wherever it’s been screened. The film is about a couple, María (Noomi Rapace) and Ingvar (Hilmir Snaer Gudnason) who live a quiet life on a remote sheep farm in the harsh mountainous landscapes of Iceland. When they discover a mysterious newborn on their land they take it in and raise it as their own. This unexpected change of life brings the family much joy, but also threatens to tear it apart.

LAMB is the first feature film by director Valdimar Jóhannsson and it won the Prize of Originality in the prestigious Un Certain Regard program in Cannes. At TIFF the film will be a part of our Overdrive program, which will be revealed in its entirety at our TIFF Kick-off at Verdensteatret on November 16 (Get your tickets here!). LAMB will have its Norwegian cinema distribution by Another World Entertainment. Watch the trailer below.

Where does one feel at home? This question is the starting point for the wonderful documentary MR. BACHMANN AND HIS CLASS. In Stadtallendorf, a city in Germany with a complicated history of both including and excluding integrating foreigners, a brilliant teacher named Dieter Bachmann offers his students the keys to the one place where they can truly feel at home – in the classroom.

The film won both the Silver Bear and Audience Award at this year’s Berlinale film festival. In addition to its regular festival screenings at TIFF the film will also be presented to hundreds of education students in Tromsø in collaboration with the University in Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway. Watch a clip from the film below.

More films from the upcoming festival program will be revealed at our TIFF Kick-Off at Verdensteatret on November 16 and in the beginning of December we will announce the Films from the North program for TIFF 2022. The complete festival line-up will be announced in mid-December. Stay tuned!

See you at TIFF on January 17-23!