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VIFF

Will Smith and Eddie Murphy come back strong, Meryl Streep follows the money and one final VIFF pick

And there’s more: a scathing portrait of Trump’s role model and Xavier Dolan’s latest look at “friendship”

Four good ones at VIFF take us to The Vatican, India, the Arctic and Hong Kong:

We watch two Popes, Hindu thugs, Ottawa’s control of the Inuit and a trippy dream in Hong Kong

Smile with the Joker, at VIFF grieve along with Daughter and protect our coast for the whales

Also: explore Niagara Falls for its reputation and catch a couple of notable German films

At VIFF, new work by Juliette Binoche, Belgium’s Dardenne Brothers and Quebec’s François Girard

Plus a shameful case of indigenous hurt in Canada, an extraordinary mother from Germany and an ancient play made contemporary in both Sicily and Beirut

Judy Garland revived; a yeti wonderfully animated and more picks to see at VIFF

Including three superior Canadian films, two men acting up a storm in a lighthouse and another visit with 12 now long-time friends

Some early Film Festival picks, including my #1

Films from Morocco, Spain, Korea, California and Hamilton, Ontario. Plus, a documentary about a scary future

VIFF announces the opener, closer and a very promising schedule for this year’s festival

A scene from Parasite, the Cannes winner that will be also screen at VIFF

VIFF picks: Fun with the Italian Mafia, tension with Ben the addict and what’s with this piece by Banksy?

Also some rule-breaking flamenco and two war stories from the Balkans, one by a Vancouverite.

VIFF picks to start a new week, from Italy, Poland and, an unsettling one, from right here

Also a comedy with bite from the Czech Republic and a not so good hostage drama with opera singing inserted