Projects directed by Viggo Mortensen, Michael Keaton, Chris Pine coming to TIFF

Vicky Krieps is seen in a still image handout photo in her role in director Viggo Mortensen's western film "The Dead Don't Hurt" coming to the Toronto International Film Festival in September. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-TIFF

The head of the Toronto International Film Festival says the sheer number of films directed by prominent actors in this year's lineup was a surprise and big names are still expected on the red carpet even if the Hollywood actors strike drags on.

"We expect directors to come and present their work considering that these are projects they've been working on for a long, long time," TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a phone interview on Monday.

"In some cases, everyone will make their own decisions but they're equally passionate about their own films where at times, it may actually be an opportunity to speak about what's at stake with the current labour action."

Organizers have announced the first wave of 60 titlesfor September's TIFF amid the ongoing strike in Hollywood that could change this year's festival experience.

Several projects from actors sitting in the director's chairs are on the list, including Viggo Mortensen's Canadian co-produced feature, "The Dead Don't Hurt," Chris Pine's "Poolman," and Ethan Hawke's "Wildcat."

Current SAG-AFTRA strike action rules could prevent directors who also star in their films -- such as Mortensen -- from promoting their work as an actor, but they'd be able to speak to the press from a director's point of view.

Mortensen also serves as a writer on "The Dead Don't Hurt," a joint Canadian, Denmark and Mexico production that will make its world premiere at the festival. It's a western love story about a French-Canadian played by Vicky Krieps and a Danish immigrant played by Mortensen who are separated during the Civil War.

Big names can also be found in Michael Keaton's thriller film "Knox Goes Away," starring Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden and the "Batman" actor himself. Keaton's second feature film as director tells the story of a contract killer diagnosed with a form of dementia who seeks redemption through his estranged adult son.

Bailey attributed the rise in actor-directed films at TIFF to timing and circumstances of recent years.

"I think it's partly a product of the last few years of the pandemic where artists had their normal projects often interrupted," Bailey said.

"We saw a bumper crop of what I would call passion projects…stories that clearly, these actors really wanted to tell so much that they wanted to direct the story themselves."

Hawke's "Wildcat," aboutthe life of American novelist Flannery O'Connor -- played by his daughter Maya Hawke -- will make its international premiere at the festival.

Meanwhile, Pine's "Poolman" centres on a pool cleaner who discovers a plot to rob Los Angeles of its water.

Like Pine, Anna Kendrick is making a directorial debut with "Woman of the Hour," based on the story of a real-life serial killer who appeared on a 1970s dating game TV show.

Among world premieres at this year's TIFF is Craig Gillespie's "Dumb Money," starring Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Shailene Woodley and Vincent D'Onofrio and based on a true story of amateur investors who turned video game retailchain GameStop into the hottest stock option.

Newly announced Canadian projects include Sophie Dupuis' queer romance "Solo," which centres on a rising star in the Montreal drag scene, navigating a set of toxic family and partner relationships.

Quebec filmmaker Chloe Robichaud will debut her third feature, "Days of Happiness," about a complicated relationship between a young conductor and her father.

Joint projects between Canadian and international talent include Dominic Savage's indie drama "Close to You," a Canada and United Kingdom co-production starring Elliott Page about family, love and identity.

With many elements still up in the air amid the Hollywood strike, Bailey said TIFF organizersare still adjusting to how the festival may look this year with potential celebrity absences.

"I can tell you that we already know big names that will be in Toronto so that's not a concern," said Bailey, who wouldn't get into specifics. "Yes, there are companies very directly affected by this and if it continues, that would mean that there are some SAG-AFTRA members who would not be able to attend. We're working that out."

Bailey said that due to the strike, decisions are being made on a more fluid, day-by-day basis.

"What we're hearing is that everyone wants to respect the labour action and what it calls for but also want to make sure that not-for-profit organizations like ours aren't impacted any more than we need to be," said Bailey.

"Screen industries are going through a massive series of changes that's partly due to technology, audience behaviour or AI now, that are going to be fundamentally game-changing for films and the entertainment industry generally. It makes sense what's at stake in the negotiations and we completely understand that."

He added that festival organizers have been "talking to everybody," from directors and actors to the companies that represent talent, to try to understand how they can bring a great event to Toronto without going beyond what the labour action would dictate.

Still, he's hoping that a resolution can bereached before TIFF begins on Sept. 7.

"It's painful. I know people who are actors and I know people who work at some of the biggest entertainment companies in the world and nobody is happy about this," said Bailey.

"This is a tough situation for everyone to be in…the pandemic is still casting a shadow, not just on us, but on arts organizations across the country and around the world. I don't want another threat to really reduce our ability to bring people together. I'm hoping we can still keep doing that."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2023.