Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has announced the participants for this year’s In Conversation With… series, featuring renowned international artists from Spain, South Korea, and Hong Kong. The lineup includes legendary filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, along with Asian superstars Andy Lau, Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun.
TIFF’s Chief Programming Officer, Anita Lee, expressed excitement about the diverse and global lineup for the 2023 In Conversation With… series. She emphasized the festival’s belief in film’s ability to spark new perspectives and drive transformation.
Pedro Almodóvar, known for his award-winning films such as All About My Mother, Talk to Her, and Pain and Glory, will be honored with the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media at the TIFF Tribute Awards. Almodóvar will also present the North American premiere of his latest work, a short feature titled Strange Way of Life, starring Ethan Hawke and Pedro Pascal. The western romance has garnered critical praise since its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The series will also feature a conversation between Korean actors Lee Byung-hun and Park Seo-jun, who star in the disaster film Concrete Utopia. Both actors began their careers in Korean television before transitioning to the big screen.
Lee Byung-hun gained recognition through his performances in popular shows such as Tomorrow Love and Beautiful My Lady before making waves internationally with Park Chan-wook’s Joint Security Area and Kim Jee-woon’s A Bittersweet Life and The Good, the Bad, the Weird. He has since become a versatile talent, appearing in Hollywood films like G.I. Joe: Retaliation and Korean hits like I Saw the Devil. Lee also recently appeared in the Netflix sensation Squid Game.
Park Seo-jun, starting his career in Korean television with roles in Fight for My Way and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, broke into the film industry with Midnight Runners. He has continued to excel in both film and TV, starring in popular shows like Netflix’s Itaewon Class and playing a supporting role in Bong Joon-Ho’s Oscar-winning film Parasite. Alongside Concrete Utopia, Park’s upcoming major project is Marvel Studios’ The Marvels.
Another notable participant in the series is Andy Lau, an influential figure in Asian cinema for over four decades. Lau’s career skyrocketed after his feature debut in Ann Hui’s Boat People in 1982. He went on to achieve fame with films like A Tears Go By and Days of Being Wild. Lau established his own production company in the early 1990s and has appeared in over 160 films, including notable works such as Running Out of Time, Infernal Affairs, House of Flying Daggers, and the recent blockbuster Wandering Earth 2. His latest film, The Movie Emperor, is a Gala Presentation at this year’s TIFF.
TIFF will also offer its Under-25 Festival Rush Pass, providing young film enthusiasts the opportunity to attend in-demand screenings, including the In Conversation With… events. Pass holders will have unlimited access to Rush tickets for festival screenings, allowing them to participate in the excitement of TIFF.
In addition to the diverse lineup of international icons, TIFF is offering Visa Infinite cardholders early access to secure tickets for TIFF 2023. This early access privilege for cardholders will begin on August 21 at 10:00 am.
With its impressive selection of esteemed filmmakers and actors, TIFF’s In Conversation With… series promises to be an enlightening and engaging experience for film lovers worldwide. The festival continues to uphold its commitment to showcasing diverse perspectives and shaping the global entertainment landscape.
