Pontypool Premieres at theToronto International Film Festival

By Garrett Godwin

As the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival approaches, the buzz of director Bruce McDonald's new film Pontypool has already been growing, and even Tinseltown knows that.

The film, which will make its world premiere debut at the Festival this month, is an psychological thriller starring Stephen McHattie (Beauty and the Beast, 300, Seinfeld, and the 2009 DC Comics film adaptation of Watchmen) as a feisty, washed-up radio host who now broadcasts from the basement of a church in small-town Pontypool. Things go really weird when reports of people developing strange speech patterns and evoking horrendous acts of violence starts to happen due to a virus rapidly taking over the town.

Pontypool is the film adaptation of Pontypool Changes Everything from author Tony Burgress, who also wrote the script. As the first feature-length Canadian film to ever use the new Red One 4K Camera, it will also be the first "Red" picture to be ever shown at the Festival. The film was shot using 100% private funds, which is a rare thing for most movies.

"It wasn't an easy decision for Bruce" Coghlan said. "We conducted Red and 35mm comparison tests prior to shooting and we literally couldn't tell the difference."

Since completing production several weeks ago, Pontypool is already earning rave reviews as one of the most talked about and anticipated films at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, in which McDonald calls "his favorite, the best and most important film festival in the world".

"Suddenly everyone is calling", Coghlan continues, "from the mini distribs to a couple of major studios.

"It's a real mind-blower. A scary, intelligent thriller and a real departure for Bruce who certainly delivers."

Garrett Godwin writes for NewsBlaze from Michigan. Contact him by writing to NewsBlaze.