Festival films will explore grief and depression

(MENAFN- Arab Times) TAWA July 23 (Agencies): The upcoming Toronto Film Festival will showcase a 'big year' for Reese Witherspoon James Gandolfini's final movie and Oscar-bait performances from several major Hollywood stars organizers said Tuesday. More than 300 feature films will be screened at the 39th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) which runs from Sep 4 to 14. The event has traditionally been key for Oscar-conscious studios and distributors attracting hundreds of filmmakers and actors to the red carpet in Canada's largest city. Last year Steve McQueen's '12 Years a Slave' won the audience prize for best picture before going on to win three Oscars including the coveted statuette for best picture.

In presenting this year's line-up festival boss Cameron Bailey told a press conference in Toronto that fans of Witherspoon should be ready for a 'big year' from the Oscar winner. The 38-year-old Witherspoon has been one of Hollywood's highest-paid and most bankable box office draws since her breakout starring turn in the 2001 comedy 'Legally Blonde.'

But she failed to gain credibility as a serious actress until her 2006 Oscar win for her turn as singer June Carter Cash the wife of superstar Johnny Cash in James Mangold's biopic 'Walk the Line.'