Source:
https://scmp.com/culture/film-tv/article/1995360/oliver-stones-snowden-about-nsa-whistle-blower-premiere-toronto-film
Culture/ Film & TV

Oliver Stone’s Snowden, about NSA whistle-blower, to premiere at Toronto film festival

Biopic starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt among a number of films getting first outings at September event that’s a launch pad for awards season; others include Magnificent Seven remake, Lyndon Johnson biopic LBJ

Reuters
Reuters

Updated: 11:04am, 27 Jul, 2016

Why you can trust SCMP
Biopic starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt among a number of films getting first outings at September event that’s a launch pad for awards season; others include Magnificent Seven remake, Lyndon Johnson biopic LBJ

Director Antoine Fuqua’s remake of the 1960s Western The Magnificent Seven is expected to kick off the Toronto International Film Festival on September 8, which will include movies about whistle-blower Edward Snowden and former US president Lyndon Johnson among the usual Oscar hopefuls.

The 10-day festival, now in its 41st year, has become a launching pad for Hollywood’s awards season, with films such as 12 Years a Slave, The King’s Speech and Slumdog Millionaire all gaining critical momentum in Toronto before going on to win the Academy Awards for best picture.

Organisers say the festival is expected to start with the world premiere of The Magnificent Seven. The film stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D’Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennett and Peter Sarsgaard.

A scene from Antoine Fuqua’s star-studded The Magnificent Seven.
A scene from Antoine Fuqua’s star-studded The Magnificent Seven.

Fuqua’s remake of the 1960 original tells the story of the town of Rose Creek under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue, played by Sarsgaard, and the mercenaries hired to protect the townspeople.

Edward Snowden in Hong Kong in June 2013. His interviews recorded in a hotel room in the city lifted the lid on vast undisclosed espionage by the US National Security Agency. Photo: AFP/The Guardian
Edward Snowden in Hong Kong in June 2013. His interviews recorded in a hotel room in the city lifted the lid on vast undisclosed espionage by the US National Security Agency. Photo: AFP/The Guardian
The festival will close with the world premiere of Kelly Fremon Craig’s The Edge of Seventeen, which tells the tale of an awkward high school student, played by Hailee Steinfeld, who gains the unexpected friendship of a thoughtful boy played by Hayden Szeto. The film also stars Woody Harrelson.

Biographical films feature prominently in the festival’s high-profile gala and special presentation programs.

Oliver Stone, known for the gangster movie Scarface and the financial drama Wall Street, directs Snowden, which features Joseph Gordon-Levitt in the personal story of the titular polarising figure who exposed US illegal surveillance.

Rob Reiner, known for the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally ... and the courtroom drama A Few Good Men, directed LBJ, in which Harrelson portrays the former president.

The festival runs until September 18.