Kate Winslet Talks Importance of Film Festivals at TIFF: "That's How We Began"

Andreas Wiseman International EditorEXCLUSIVE: FilmNation Entertainment and Cross City Films have pre-sold most international markets on Kindertransport drama One Life at the recent TIFF virtual market, including a deal with Warner Bros in the UK.Aisling Walsh (Maudie) will direct Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins and rising Brit actor Johnny Flynn (Emma) in the feature scripted by Lucinda Coxon (The Danish Girl) and Nick Drake.Currently in pre-production, the project tells the story of Sir Nicholas

Bruce Dern). The setup closely resembles 2018’s “The Wife,” starring Glenn Close — but in this case, the stakes are lower.

Clayton Davis As we try to squint our way to see what the next seven months hold, TIFF and Venice unveiled the first crop of awards contenders for the 2020-2021 year. At the top of that list is Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland,” which took the Golden Lion on Saturday evening.

Also Read: 'Ammonite' Trailer: Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan Ignite Slow-Burning Passion in First Look (Video)“Ammonite” is Lee’s second feature-length film.

Variety Staff Follow Us on TwitterDespite the remoteness that is a virtual Toronto International Film Festival, we will always come together to celebrate the cinema. To quote TIFF Tribute Awards presenter Martin Scorsese, “This remarkable art form has always been and always will be more than a diversion”Watch the TIFF Tribute Awards on Variety’s Facebook page with award recipients Kate Winslet, Shawn Mendes, Anthony Hopkins, Mira Nair and Chloe Zhao.

Kate Aurthur editorDuring an interview at Variety’s virtual studio at the Toronto International Film Festival, Kate Winslet — who stars in the festival’s lesbian romance “Ammonite” — elaborated on the regrets she recently expressed about working with directors Woody Allen and Roman Polanski.

Francis Lee’s “Ammonite” might be the biggest study in contrasts that you’ll find at the Toronto International Film Festival this year.

When it comes to mood and milieu, writer-director Francis Lee prefers something bare, austere and quiet. In fact, it was the harmonious union of these severe qualities that furnished his 2017 feature debut, “God’s Own Country,” with a daring edge and lyrical spirit.

Todd McCarthy The temptation will be too great for some critics to resist proclaiming, “Ammonite is dynamite!,” as in some respects it is, specifically in the way it resembles a hand grenade thrown into the midst of an otherwise decorous, serious-minded 19th century British period piece.James Ivory might be proud and even jealous of the way writer-director Francis Lee takes the Anglo art house tradition of quality to an uncustomary level of sexual frankness, an aspect that will remind many

In October 2018, British director Francis Lee sent Kate Winslet’s agent a screenplay he had just finished writing. Despite having just one film under his belt — the critically acclaimed drama God’s Own Country about an unlikely romance between two young men — Lee was able to entice the Oscar winner, who committed within 24 hours.

It’s pretty crazy to think that it’s been more than 25 years since Kate Winslet had her breakout role in the film, “Heavenly Creatures.” Over that time span, she’s won an Oscar (along with various other prestigious awards), she’s starred in one of the biggest films of all time (“Titanic”), and a number of other acclaimed features that have gained her the status of being one of the very best performers in the industry.

Also Read: Anthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn to Star in Holocaust Biopic 'One Life'The first movie released under the new stand-alone distribution banner is “Jiu Jitsu,” a martial arts and sci-fi film that stars Nicolas Cage and Frank Grillo. The film is directed by Dimitri Logothetis and will be released on November 20.

Oscar-winner Sir Anthony Hopkins and rising British name Johnny Flynn (Beast, Emma) are set to star in One Life, a drama based on the incredible true story of humanitarian Sir Nicholas George. See-Saw Films and BBC Films are behind the project, with co-managing director Iain Canning (Lion, The King's Speech) and Joanna Laurie producing and Aisling Walsh (Maudie, Elizabeth is Missing) set to direct.

Also Read: 'The Father' Starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman Acquired by Sony Pictures Classics Ahead of SundanceFlynn will play Winton as a young man working to do his humanitarian work, while Hopkins will play Winton 50 years later when he has a surprise reunion with the now grown children whose lives he helped save, all of which was captured on the BBC TV show “That’s Life.”Canning, Sherman and Joanna Laurie are producing “One Life.” The film will be executive produced by Rose Garnett

Dave McNary Film ReporterAnthony Hopkins and Johnny Flynn are starring in the Holocaust drama “One Life,” centered on the life of humanitarian Nicholas George Winton.Both actors will portray Winton, who championed the rescue of Czech children threatened with deportation to Hitler’s death camps to the safety of British foster families. He succeeded in rescuing 669 children before World War II broke out.

Andreas Wiseman International EditorEXCLUSIVE: Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes) and rising Brit actor Johnny Flynn (Emma) are attached to star in One Life, a feature drama based on the true story of British humanitarian Nicholas Winton who helped save hundreds of children from the Nazis on the eve of World War Two.Lucinda Coxon (The Danish Girl) and Nick Drake (Romulus) have co-written the screenplay based on the extraordinary story of Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton who, when just 29 years

The Toronto International Film Festival will honour Kate Winslet this year during a virtual gala that includes a performance by Shawn Mendes and special presenters, including Colin Farrell, Olivia Colman, Ava DuVernay, Jodie Foster, Regina King, and Delroy Lindo.