One of the many fantastic films to world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival wasWidows. Directed bySteve McQueen(12 Years a Slave,Shame) and co-written by McQueen andGillian Flynn, the film is about four women that must execute a heist in order to pay off the debt their deceased husbands incurred. Furthermore, the women have to pull off the heist while both the law and criminals are bearing down around them. Loaded with fantastic performances,Sean Bobbitt’sgreat cinematography, an exciting score byHans Zimmer, and a script full of complex characters,Widowsis one of those special movies where everything just works. Trust me, you want to see this movie when it opens in theaters November 16th.WidowsstarsViola Davis,Michelle Rodriguez,Elizabeth Debicki,Cynthia Erivo,Colin Farrell,Brian Tyree Henry,Daniel Kaluuya,Garret Dillahunt,Carrie Coon,Jacki Weaver,Jon Bernthal,Manuel Garcia-Rulfo,Robert DuvallandLiam Neeson.
Shortly after seeing the film, I got to sit down with editor Joe Walker at the Collider studio at TIFF to talk about the film. During the wide-ranging interview he talked about how he first started working with Steve McQueen, why McQueen hates the word “coverage”, his relationship with directors of photography, how the first cut ofWidowscompared to the finished film, what they learned from early screenings, and more. In addition, Walker also talked about completely changing the structure of12 Years a Slavein the editing room,Michael Mann’sBlackhat, working withDenis VilleneuveonSicario,ArrivalandBlade Runner 2049, and what he knows about Villeneuve’sDune.
Check out what he had to say in the player above and below is exactly what we talked about.
Joe Walker:
Finally, big thanks to the partners who made our TIFF interviews possible:
Aurora,Presenting Partner, one of Canada’s largest federally licensed cannabis companies and an official partner of the Toronto International Film Festival. Aurora’s involvement is anchored by its passion for the arts and commitment to providing financial support for the creative community.
Toasting the evening’s festivities will beLa Marca Prosecco, an elegant, luxurious sparkling wine. The premium wines of California’s Ghost Pines Winery will also be served!
Frank Rea Event DesignsToronto’s top event florist and ambient designer Frank Rea creatively lends his support with décor statements and floral designs through Forget Me Not Flowers & Frank Rea Event Designs.
The Collider Studio at the House of Aurora was produced by A-list Communications and The Substance Group.
