TIFF 2024: Can I Get A Witness?

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Can I Get A Witness? TIFF 2024 Toronto

Can I Get a Witness? at TIFF 2024: A Sci-Fi Story with Heart and Visual Magic

Can I Get a Witness?, the latest from Ann Marie Fleming, is a sci-fi movie like no other—raw, emotional, and visually stunning. If you’re at TIFF 2024 and looking for a film that mixes futuristic vibes with real human connection, this is the one.

Starring the incredible Sandra Oh, along with fresh faces Keira Jang and Joel Oulette, this film takes you into a world where life past 50 is banned, and technology is practically nonexistent. Ready to dive in? Let’s break it down.

The Story: When Life Has an Expiration Date

Picture this: a near-future world where society has made some tough calls to preserve Earth’s resources. Tech? Banned. Travel? Restricted. And, most shocking of all—no one lives past 50. Yeah, it’s a lot.

Enter Ellie (played by Sandra Oh) and her teenage daughter Kiah (Keira Jang). Kiah is starting a new job as a Documenter, using her artistic skills to capture the final moments of people who are reaching their state-mandated expiration date. No photos, no videos—just hand-drawn memories. Working alongside Daniel (Joel Oulette), who organizes these end-of-life ceremonies, Kiah soon finds herself struggling with the emotional weight of her job. It’s one thing to witness the end of life; it’s another to document it.

Why You’ll Be Hooked

  • Sci-Fi with a Twist: This isn’t your typical tech-drenched future. Instead, Can I Get a Witness? imagines a world that’s had to ditch all the gadgets and focus on survival. It’s a minimalist, stripped-down future that feels just as real as it does eerie.
  • Stunning Animation Meets Real Life: Ann Marie Fleming brings her signature blend of live-action and animation to this film. The animated sequences are beautifully woven into Kiah’s work as a Documenter, giving life to the stories she captures. It’s both visually breathtaking and emotionally poignant—definitely something you don’t see every day.
  • Sandra Oh’s Powerhouse Performance: Sandra Oh never disappoints, and as Ellie, she brings a complex mix of love, fear, and resilience. Her relationship with Kiah is the emotional core of the film, and watching her guide her daughter through this dystopian world is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

What Makes Can I Get a Witness? Special

While Can I Get a Witness? is set in a dystopian future, its themes hit close to home. It’s about how we deal with loss, the power of memory, and what it means to live in a world that feels out of our control. As Kiah struggles to process the reality of her job, the film invites us to reflect on how we navigate our own emotional journeys in the face of tough choices.

It’s also a thoughtful take on environmental collapse and overpopulation, but without feeling preachy. Instead, Ann Marie Fleming focuses on the personal, human stories that unfold within this larger context. And with the gorgeous animation bringing Kiah’s work to life, the film creates a dreamlike atmosphere that softens the bleakness of the world it portrays.

Where to Catch Can I Get a Witness? at TIFF 2024

If you’re ready to dive into this emotional, visually stunning world, here’s when you can catch Can I Get a Witness?:

  • Friday, September 6 – 6:00 pm at TIFF Lightbox (Premium)
  • Saturday, September 7 – 6:20 pm at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto (Press & Industry)
  • Saturday, September 7 – 10:00 pm at TIFF Lightbox
  • Thursday, September 12 – 9:05 am at Scotiabank Theatre Toronto (Press & Industry)

Why You Can’t Miss This

Can I Get a Witness? isn’t just a sci-fi film—it’s a deep, emotional journey into a world that feels hauntingly close to where we’re headed. Whether you’re drawn in by the gorgeous animation, the strong performances, or the thought-provoking questions about life and loss, this movie has something for everyone.

It’s more than a glimpse into the future—it’s a story about how we live and what we leave behind.

REFERENCES:

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