The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Toronto

The Toronto International Film Festival opened on Thursday with drama "Fugitive Pieces" telling a poetic tale that asks audiences to find hope even when faced with atrocities of war.

Over the next 10 days, the festival will bring out stars such as Brad Pit, George Clooney and Jodi Foster to tout movies they hope will win critical praise, earn solid box office and launch campaigns for the Oscars.

But among the numerous red carpet premieres at the festival, organizers also promise serious personal, political and emotional dramas in many of the 275 feature films that will play to packed houses. "Fugitive Pieces" fits their bill. The film, writen and directed by Jeremy Podeswa, is based on a best-selling novel about a Holocaust survivor who, as a young boy, sees his family murdered. He grows into adulthood coping with their deaths and despite his emotional scars, he learns to show generosity and kindness to others.

"It demonstrates the best of what people are capable of, their boundless capacity for love, for generosity and self-sacrifice even in the most difficult of circumstances," Podeswa told audiences.

Organizers have touted the many serious-minded movies that will screen here -- back in August when the final lineup was unveiled, co-director Noah Cowan told Reuters: "it feels like the cinema is relevant again."

On opening night, animated French film "Persepolis" also told of people overcoming fear, hatred and murder to come to a greater understanding of themselves and of humanity.