Now Playing
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Aardman Animation's handcrafted mix of dad jokes, slapstick, mock dramatics and understated emotion makes this return for the claymation odd couple a constant delight. The villainous Feathers McGraw is back to no good, commandeering Norbot the robot. Rated: G
The End
Set in a deluxe bunker two decades after environmental collapse, the first dramatic feature from Joshua Oppenheimer (Act of Killing) is an unironic musical starring Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, and George MacKay. The cult starts here.
It's a Wonderful Life
Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. This Christmas classic is whimsical, sure, but it has the depth to stand up to multiple watches, and it really should be a communal experience, because that is what it's about. Rated: G
The Count of Monte Cristo
You can't beat this evergreen Alexandre Dumas tale for adventure, intrigue and romance. This lavish French blockbuster from the writers of the recent Three Musketeers movies pulls you in from the first scene and doesn't let off for the next three hours. Rated: PG
The Holdovers
Destined to become a seasonal staple, this bittersweet comedy reunites Sideways director and star Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti in the portrait of a surly classics teacher forced to babysit five "orphans" at boarding school over the holidays.
Best of 2024
Our annual roundup of 10 of the best movies of the year is back!
Challengers
Luca Guadagnino (Queer; Call Me By Your Name) snaps back into gear with this sexy, fun screwball comedy masquerading as a sports film. Frenemies Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor compete for the favours of Zendaya, on and off the tennis court.
About Dry Grasses
The latest from Turkish master Ceylan (The Wild Pear Tree) is a complex, multi-layered and ultimately lacerating portrait of an art teacher stuck in a rural backwater he can't wait to escape, accused of inappropriate behaviour by his favourite pupil.
Good One
This movie feels like a perfect short story. 17-year-old Sam (Lily Collias) gamely heads out on a camping weekend with her recently remarried dad (James LeGros) and his newly divorced buddy, Matt (Danny McCarthy). They bitch. She absorbs.
Holiday Films
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Aardman Animation's handcrafted mix of dad jokes, slapstick, mock dramatics and understated emotion makes this return for the claymation odd couple a constant delight. The villainous Feathers McGraw is back to no good, commandeering Norbot the robot. Rated: G
It's a Wonderful Life
Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings. This Christmas classic is whimsical, sure, but it has the depth to stand up to multiple watches, and it really should be a communal experience, because that is what it's about. Rated: G
The Holdovers
Destined to become a seasonal staple, this bittersweet comedy reunites Sideways director and star Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti in the portrait of a surly classics teacher forced to babysit five "orphans" at boarding school over the holidays.
Gremlins (40th Anniversary)
The perfect last minute Xmas gift: give your special someone a cute ball of fur and don't worry about where it came from. Just don't put it under bright lights, don't get it wet, and whatever you do, please, please don't feed it after midnight... Rated: PG
Image: © 1984 WBEI
New Spanish Cinema
Jan 3 – 7
Kick off the new year in style with a vibrant celebration of Spanish storytelling at the VIFF Centre. Featuring five premieres of standout Spanish films, the fifth annual New Spanish Cinema combines hope, heart, song, dance — and of course, wine.
Opening Gala: The Teacher Who Promised the Sea
Based on a true story, Patricia Font’s drama excavates a dark period in Spanish history. Antoni Benaiges takes up a village teaching position in 1935. But his new-fangled ideas about learning outrage the local priest. + Tapas, Serrano ham, wine or beer, flamenco dancing
Little Loves
Teresa (María Vázquez) is compelled to change her holiday plans to help her proudly independent mother (Adriana Ozores), who has had a fall. Mother and daughter will spend a stifling summer disagreeing on everything -- but finding each other again.
They Will Be Dust
When stage veteran Claudia decides she doesn't want to wait out her terminal illness, longtime partner and director Flavi calls the family together to break the news... Fantastic musical numbers and comedy offset scenes of wrenching emotion.
The Teacher Who Promised the Sea
Based on a true story, Patricia Font’s drama excavates a dark period in Spanish history. Antoni Benaiges takes up a village teaching position in 1935. But his new-fangled ideas about learning outrage the local priest.
Rioja, Land of a Thousand Wines
Directed by multiple Goya award winner José Luis Lopez-Linares, this lip-smacking tour of Spain's best known wine region dives into the push and pull between tradition and innovation in an industry that is led by family dynasties.
Image © MORENA FILMS
First Look Fridays
Enjoy $10 tickets at the first Friday matinee screening of these films.
Vermiglio
Jan 3
Delperro’s exquisitely photographed movie — Italy’s submission for the Academy Awards — recreates the austere and harsh lifestyle in an Alpine village at the tail end of WWII with revelatory care and compassion.
Soundtrack to a Coup D’Etat
Jan 24
In January 1961, seven months after Congolese independence, Patrice Lumumba is assassinated. In excavating the history of this political murder, this essay-film traces the complex and unlikely intersections of American jazz and Cold War geopolitics.
Relaxed Screenings & Captioned Screenings
Our monthly Relaxed Screenings are open to anyone who would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience.
Our Wednesday matinee Captioned Screenings welcome anyone who benefits from subtitles and captions.
Flow
Relaxed Screening
Dec 22, 4:00 pm
In this wordless and gorgeously atmospheric animated feature, a solitary black cat survives a tsunami and must confront his fear of water whilst sailing through a flooded world with a group of misfit animals. An enchanting adventure film for all ages.
Explore VIFF's Year-Round Series
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