TIFF’S prime time line up premieres provocative new series

The 2017 lineup showcases works created by Amy Seimetz, Lodge Kerrigan, Sarah Polley, Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese, David Simon, George Pelecanos, Andrucha Waddington and Jorge Furtado. The programme includes Q&A sessions with show creators following each of the first screenings.

Primetime Programmer,  Michael Lerman, said: "As the lines of length and venue for cinema are dissolving, I feel honoured to be presenting some of the most cinematic, episodic content that is out in the world today."

"These shows not only represent great entertainment, but also the level of deep thought and research that can go into a long term storytelling project" Lerman added.

This year’s lineup spotlights intense and provocative series such as The Deuce, starring James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal — a gritty new drama from David Simon and George Pelecanos (The Wire, Treme) that traces the evolution of the porn industry in NYC's Times Square in the 1970s.

The second season of The Girlfriend Experience, executive produced by Steven Soderbergh, is a reimagining of his 2009 critically acclaimed movie of the same name and explores the relationships between escorts and their elite clientele, for whom they provide far more than just sex. Season two focuses on entirely new characters and takes on a new format by following two parallel storylines, each written, directed and executive produced by Lodge Kerrigan and Amy Seimetz.

Adding further global appeal to the lineup, Dark, Netflix's first German production, is a family saga with a supernatural twist, set in a present-day German town where the disappearance of a teenager exposes the double lives and long-hidden secrets of the local families.

Under Pressure chronicles the daily routine of a medical team at a under-equipped and understaffed guerrilla hospital in a poverty-stricken community in Rio de Janeiro.

The 42nd Toronto International Film Festival will take place between September 7 and September 17.

Series screening as part of Primetime include:

Dark Germany, 2 episodes
Showrunners: Baran bo Odar, Jantje Friese
Director: Baran bo Odar
World Premiere

The Deuce USA, 2 episodes
Showrunners: David Simon, George Pelecanos
Directors: Michelle MacLaren, Ernest Dickerson
Episode 1, Canadian Premiere
Episode 2, World Premiere

The Girlfriend Experience Season 2, USA, 4 episodes
Showrunners and directors: Amy Seimetz, Lodge Kerrigan
World Premiere

Under Pressure Brazil, 2 episodes
Showrunners: Andrucha Waddington, Jorge Furtado Directors: Andrucha Waddington, Mini Kerti
International Premiere

Previously announced series in the Canadian lineup:

Alias Grace Canada/USA, 2 episodes
Showrunner: Sarah Polley
Director: Mary Harron
World Premiere 

TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world, through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution programme Film Circuit.

(Reporting by Suman Das)