“Demolition” opens Toronto Film Festival

Jake Gyllenhaal's new film “Demolition” has opened the 40th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The 34-year-old stars as a successful investment banker who has to rebuild his life after his wife is killed in a car crash. Directed by French-Canadian Jean-Marc Vallee, the tragicomedy also stars Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper and newcomer Judah Lewis.

Almost 400 films will be screened at the festival over the next 11 days.

Demolition brings Vallee back to TIFF for a third consecutive year, following “Dallas Buyers Club” - which earned Matthew McConaughey an Oscar - and last year's “Wild”, which saw Reese Witherspoon nominated for the best actress Academy award.

Also receiving its world premiere on Thursday was Michael Moore's first film in six years, “Where to Invade Next”. A satire of US military power, the controversial director made the film in secret and it was not known he had made it until it was announced on TIFF's programme.

In past years, “12 Years a Slave”, “The King's Speech”, “Slumdog Millionaire” and “American Beauty” have won the top People's Choice Award before going on to win the best picture Oscar.

Source: BBC