[TIFF Review] The Testament of Ann Lee, Fuze, Arco

On the third day of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), I watched three films. Two of them, Arco and The Testament of Ann Lee, had already premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May and the Venice Film Festival last month, respectively. The third film was Fuze, the latest work from director David Mackenzie (Hell or High Water).

The Testament of Ann Lee

This film chronicles the rise and fall of the Shaker movement, a religious sect that advocated for gender equality, with Ann Lee (Amanda Seyfried) as its female leader. Having experienced multiple child losses and profound trauma, she became the leader, attracting followers and growing the sect from Europe to the Americas. Beyond gender equality, the Shakers also promoted celibacy and communal living. Set over two hundred years ago, when society was much more conservative than today, the Shakers were undoubtedly seen as a radical faction. Consequently, they faced numerous hardships in the film, which served to highlight the devotion of their followers to their faith.

Amanda Seyfried's portrayal of Ann Lee deeply conveys her pain, struggle, and fervent devotion to her faith. A key characteristic of this sect is their music and dance, through which they worship and express their fervor, and these are central to the film. Daniel Blumberg, the Oscar-winning composer for The Brutalist, collaborated once again with director Mona Fastvold and writer Brady Corbet to create a spiritually resonant score and music for the film. Combined with dynamic cinematography and dance, it provides the audience with a sense of the followers' immersion and passion, delivering a powerful viewing experience.

Fuze

The film uses the detonation process of a suspected wartime bomb as its backdrop to tell the story of a bank robbery. These two events occurring simultaneously suggest they are not coincidental, and it is precisely by juxtaposing these two elements that the film achieves a degree of uniqueness, preventing it from being a run-of-the-mill crime movie. The director, David Mackenzie, with a past track record of crime films, confidently handles action sequences, pacing, and tension. Unfortunately, the character development in this film is not as strong as in his previous works, resulting in an overall competent but unremarkable film that may not leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Arco

Through the time-traveling adventures of a child named Arco, the film tells a story about friendship, family, and the environment. While the screenplay may not be particularly groundbreaking, and the character designs might not be the most detailed or beautiful, characters like the robot butler and the three "villains" are quite endearing. The relationship between the robot butler and its owner, Iris, and the butler's mission are particularly moving, once again proving that even a soulless machine can deliver a story full of heart. The film is set on Earth several decades in the future, where wildfires have become a severe problem. Consequently, the design of the cities, communities, and campuses is distinctive, looking more compelling than the characters themselves. Coupled with the plot involving wildfires, it may encourage the audience to reconsider our relationship with the environment.

Photo: TIFF