Bruce Springsteen, Pharrell Williams, Elton John Heading to Toronto International Film Festival 2024
With these superstars plus Andrea Bocelli and Robbie Williams and the directorial debut of Anderson .Paak, paparazzi will be busy in Toronto this September.
Shot from ‘Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band’
There are always some music superstars making their way to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) alongside other a-list celebrities, but this year's edition has a heightened presence. Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Pharrell Williams, Andrea Bocelli and Robbie Williams will all be reaching the city this September, likely along a red carpet.
The announcements come as part of this morning (July 22)'s unveiling of the lineup of 63 films in the Gala and Special Presentations programmes for the 49th edition of the festival. Other Hollywood celebrities coming to Toronto include Amy Adams, Riz Ahmed, Cate Blanchett, Will Ferrell and Alicia Vikander.
The Boss is expected at the World Premiere Gala of Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, a documentary look at the behind-the-scenes preparation for the rocker's latest tour. Springsteen narrates a film described by TIFF as "an evocative look at his band’s career in which he teams up with longtime collaborator Thom Zimny to investigate the singular alchemy that produced such a tight-knit and enduring group."
Also given a prestigious Gala slot for its World Premiere at TIFF, Elton John: Never Too Late is a documentary co-directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, Sir Elton John's Canadian husband. TIFF's notes promise "a riveting and highly intimate portrait of a musical icon and trailblazer," one that features archival footage and interviews.
Another TIFF World Premiere is Morgan Neville’s biopic of Pharrell Williams, Piece by Piece, one that employs Lego animation to tell the "Happy" star's life story. The film is scheduled to be released theatrically on October 11, through Universal's Focus Features label. Peers and friends of Williams appearing in the doc include Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg.
Director/producer/writer Neville won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2014 as well as a Grammy Award for Best Music Film for his critical and commercial hit documentary 20 Feet from Stardom. He has been nominated for five additional Grammys for films including Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story, Muddy Waters: Can’t Be Satisfied, Johnny Cash’s America, and The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble. The fact that the advance trailer for Piece by Piece (below) has already attracted 1.7 million views confirms major interest in the film.
The life and work of Italian classical music superstar Andrea Bocelli is explored in Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe, a U.K. documentary directed by Cosima Spender and given its World Premiere as a Gala at TIFF.
Veteran English pop star Robbie Williams has booked his ticket to TIFF to attend the premiere of Better Man, a biopic musical centered around him and directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman). Williams stars as himself, with Jonno Davies playing the younger version.
Also premiering at TIFF will be K-Pops!, a comedy/drama written and directed by Anderson .Paak. No word yet on whether Anderson .Paak will be in attendance.
The full TIFF schedule will be unveiled on Aug. 13. More information here.
