Host Eleanor Wachtel. Photo courtesy of CBC.
Heads up book lovers and film buffs! The Toronto International Film Festival is launching a new Books on Film series tonight, February 11. Hosted by Eleanor Wachtel of CBC’s Writers and Company, this monthly event at TIFF Bell Lightbox features filmmakers and authors in an in-depth discussion about the art of adaptation.
Can a film ever live up to the book? No easy feat, and some booklovers would say it’s impossible. Personally, there are some Poirot adaptations I’ve enjoyed more than the book, thanks to the brilliance of David Suchet. Same with the Dexter Morgan series and, quite possibly, 2011’s Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
TIFF Books on Film 2013 Schedule:
*All films are on Monday evenings at 7 pm.
February 11— Hilton Als (author and New Yorker theatre critic) on The Innocents
March 4 — Richard Russo (Pulitzer Prize–winning author) on Nobody’s Fool
April 8 — Lisa Cortés (music and film producer, driving force behind success of Def Jam Records) on Precious
May 6 — Christopher Hampton (award-winning screenwriter and playwright) on Atonement (which he adapted to screen)
June 3 — Ted Kotcheff (filmmaker and executive producer of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) on The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz
June 24 — Deepa Mehta (Canadian filmmaker) on Midnight’s Children
Which ones am I excited about?
Film still from The Innocents. Photo credit: Photofest
The Innocents is based on one of my favourite horror stories ever — Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. And to have the opportunity to listen to a critic from The New Yorker discuss it — amazing opportunity! Tonight!
Film still from The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz. Photo credit: TIFF Film Reference Library
I love Mordecai Richler, and I remember viewing a clip from Joshua Then and Now in a university Can Lit class. Duddy Kravitz is a classic.
Film still from Atonement. Photo credit: TIFF Film Reference Library
I remember reading this book and feeling absolutely cheated by the ending. Still, I’ve heard good things about the movie, and am definitely interested in seeing it on the big screen.
How to subscribe:
Subscriptions to the series are available for $153 for TIFF Members or $180 for non-members (prices include tax). Based on availability, single tickets may be released closer to the event. Subscriptions are on-sale at tiff.net/subscriptionseries.
Additional bonus for book lovers: The first 100 subscribers will receive a complimentary copy of each book featured, courtesy of Random House Canada.
First film is tonight – The Innocents, based on Henry James’ Turn of the Screw.
Literary Treats 
The Innocents has long been one of my favourite creepy movies. I own it! This is cool. I’m excited!
I haven’t watched it yet, but I’m definitely going to! (Perhaps on a bright sunny day when I won’t be too freaked out… 😉 ) That film still gives me chills!
Yet again I am missing out on great things in Toronto! I haven’t yet seen Midnight’s Children, but i really want to. I love the book and can’t imagine how you could make it into a film. I also love Deepa Mehta. But i still can’t help but think that the book will always be better than the movie/
I’m always impressed how film makers can somehow translate such an internal medium as a novel onto film. Haven’t read Midnight’s Children yet, but I can imagine how difficult a Rushdie novel would be to film! And yes, would be great to see Deepa Mehta as well. 🙂