Dirty

Bruce Sweeney (Last Wedding) directs this keenly observed and wickedly funny media satire about a self-absorbed sports-radio shock jock whose controversial social-media missive makes him the target of network scrutiny.

Bruce Sweeney (Last Wedding) returns to the Festival with this neo-noir police procedural — set against the backdrop of economic hard times — about a failed real estate agent (Nicholas Lea, in a bravura performance) whose recent attempt to turn things around makes him a suspect in a criminal investigation. (TIFF)

A single car mechanic's suspicions that her sister-in-law is having an affair prompts their small circle of family and friends to confront their own stalled routes to romance.

A 23-year-old slacker tries find his way amidst the oppressive suburban environment where he was raised in this Canadian comedy-drama. Amiable Trevor McIntosh faces two major problems. He wants to get away from his overbearing mom, philandering father and his older brother; and he wants to lose his virginity. Trevor tries hard at the latter, but can't seem to connect with the young women who interest him. Then he meets Charlotte Peacock, an artist in her '60s. She accepts Trevor and encourages him. They start out as friends, but gradually become much more.

Three couples in Vancouver navigate their relationships: first jobs, first crises, professional jealousy, an affair, and lack of communication. Noah and Zipporah marry after a brief courtship. She wants to be a singer and stalls out when she fails. He's working hard at a business that may go under. Sarah and Shane are architects; he can't handle her success at a downtown firm. Leslie is a librarian, sour and prickly; her mate, Peter, is a college teacher whose head is turned by a student. Can any of these couples sort things out and stay together? Should they?

American Venus explores the dynamics of a dysfunctional mother/daughter relationship. Jenna Lane is a young woman trying to escape family pressure to become an Olympic athlete and define her own individuality. Her mother is Celia, a deeply disturbed woman with addictions to emotional abuse and handguns. As she attempts to manipulate Jenna and feed her addictions, Celia grows increasingly irrational and ultimately spirals out of control.

A thirty-something single man is afraid his latest romance will be over before it starts in this independent comedy from writer and director Bruce Sweeney. Eight years after his marriage ended in divorce, Kevin is doing well in his career as the owner of a successful golf course, but his personal life is another matter altogether. Kevin hasn't been on a date since he became single again, and his overbearing mother makes no secret of her concern that she'll never become a grandmother. Kevin's slacker brother Randy decides to step in and help, setting Kevin up on a date with Hayaam. To Kevin's surprise, Hayaam turns out to be attractive and fun to be with, and they quickly bond with one another. However, things become problematic when they move their relationship to the next level -- Kevin's nerves cause him to finish far too quickly in the bedroom, and though Hayaam wants to help, she's only willing to deal with his problem for so long.