THE FATHER Q&A | TIFF 2020

Florian Zeller, Olivia Colman, and Anthony Hopkins in conversation with TIFF in advance of THE FATHER's premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival. Hopkins and Colman star in Zeller’s ingenious, subtly hallucinatory chamber drama about a man’s slide into dementia.

Straight off a Crystal Globe win at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, THE FATHER is the third feature from the directorial team who kick-started Bulgarian cinema's international resurgence. Co-directors Kristina Grozeva and Petar Valchanov (who world-premiered The Lesson at TIFF in 2014 and had their follow-up, Glory, compete in Locarno two years later) follow a day in the life of a dysfunctional father Vasil (Ivan Savov) and his son Pavel (Ivan Barnev).

Pavel is a far cry from a prodigal son. He rushes back to his small town to attend his mother's funeral, but his estrangement from his father is immediately clear, with simmering tensions soon boiling over as Vasil unleashes his (seemingly often-irrational) irritations on his son. Fed up with his father, Pavel also struggles with an urgent work deadline while evading questions and calls from his wife. A grief-stricken Vasil — who, it becomes gently obvious, is challenged by increasing senility — is convinced his wife is speaking to him from beyond the grave, and visits a local mystic with Pavel in tow. This is the first step in a series of mishaps that, against the odds, bring father and son closer together.

THE FATHER is tightly directed and unmistakably tender: a family drama that refuses the saccharine in favour of love's ebbs and flows, and the hard work the relationships require.

[gabrielsanabriaibieta]

Sir Anthony Hopkins is adorable... a lovely grandpa. And Olivia Colman is a queen, that's all I need to say

[FEARisCOLD]

I literally just finished watching this movie and my god I can’t stop crying.

[theredbus]

Just watched The Father and Hopkins gives the best performance of his life - which is saying something. Colman is amazing as well. Marvellous film! Thank you for this interview.

[rocios.]

the direction of this movie is impecable, great photography and music. And of course the performance of Anthony Hopkins blow me away, it is impossible not to cry and its so natural and genuine, he deserves the Oscar for sure.

[bulsk]

I honestly think this is the best film I’ve ever seen. I remember thinking exactly what Sir Anthony and Olivia Colman talk about here - there was not a single point in the entire movie where the thought of these people being actors entered my mind. It was so real. Both performances deserve the Oscar, they were both masterpieces.

[RendyLannister]

Just watched this film and i cried almost whole hour especially at the ending when Anthony get lost and broken.

[sweetiepiehoney]

What a privilege for this writer to work with these particular actors. I had a dream of Anthony Hopkins last night. Lucky me!!

[rayhanihsannasution]

just watching this interview makes me want to cry... the people behind this film is so passionate, the goal to make people feel what they feel is completely successful. every person who made the film done is deserve everything, especially florian zeller, you are a genius!

man, I can't stop thinking about this film, it's so frustrating that I just keep being reminded of every aspect of it, such a perfect film.

[ManojPatra_]

Look at them, how they are listening to each other. Seem like so invested and definitely the outcome is great.

Probably the what makes them great.

[jennifergargiulo]

Hands down should have won the oscar for best picture. Devastating and beautiful film.

[gloriakummer]

To see Anthony so genuinely interested in what the director was saying, being such an important person himself, I didn’t realize how humble of a person he is. Nothing against the director as he is obviously brilliant, but it’s Anthony Hopkins!!

[dun]

This movie made me cry, in fact i called my mom.

[CVVCaluVidaVerde]

is a pleasure to hear Antonhy talk about his act... i love this man - From Brazil !

[uncleswing]

Wow. When Anthony got choked up I felt it.

[anjuaa]

Such a wonderful stalwarts star cast...the TIFF anchor has a very pleasing personality....

[topdawg]

Great movie draws you into every emotion and feeling gets all your attention. Masterpiece I’d say so. Anthony and Olivia made a hell of a film

[zixiongwang]

had to search up a video of the legend to see that he's doing fine after watching the movie. What a haunting experience. Hope he gets that Oscar.

[loverox]

The tragedy, sense of utter disorientation & helplessness of this illness was palpably conveyed in this film. So many tears. And the acting there just are no words.

[Arivva]

OMG this movie just squeezes your heart. Sir Anthony Hopkins is just treasure of the World.

[jobsmine]

Wow what a tragic and heartbreaking film about a father with dementia. It highlights how our brain deteriorates with age and agonizingly loses all the memories we have. The film truly shows how it is difficult to cope with dementia. Seeing Anthony cry broke me down to tears because he was such a phenomenal actor. All aspects of the film including the editing, screenplay and score was perfect. And I’m happy that my all-time favorite actor win the Oscars, Bafta and Saga award all in one year. He is that good. 10/10.