Actors Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard brought Hollywood glamor to the Toronto International Film Festival with their family drama “Memory,” amid strikes that kept most celebrities out of the events.
The film earned a tentative deal from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), allowing stars to promote their work at a festival that was mostly starless due to strikes by workers of screenwriters and actors.
Sarsgaard is attending the film’s North American premiere after receiving the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival, which marks the start of awards season and usually features big Oscar favorites.
“Memory” is a drama about Chastain’s character, Sylvia, who tries to overcome the abuse of her past while struggling to build a future. For director Michel Franco, the story is important because it focuses on people who are often ignored by society.
“The story was born out of my need to shed light on broken people,” he said. “They are mature characters who seem to have no chance of being happy.”
For Sarsgaard, who plays a man with early-onset dementia named Saul, the film is about connection and processing trauma.
“These kinds of films are about connecting people with… what it means to be human, whatever form that takes,” he said.
Sylvia and Saul form an unlikely relationship after he follows her home from a school reunion, leading the characters to confront their pasts.
“There is a way out of trauma through love,” Chastain said, and she hopes this film helps audiences realize that in their own lives.
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
