The 44th Annual Vancouver International Film Festival rolls into its second weekend, and Chloe and I are back to cover Days 5 and 6, featuring films that range from intimate character studies to surreal, politically charged thrillers.
Day 5 opened with Father (Otec), a devastating Slovak drama by Tereza Nvotová, exploring the trauma and guilt of a father after a tragic accident. Youngblood followed — Hubert Davis’ modern, socially conscious take on Canadian junior hockey, exploring race, ambition, and identity.
Then came Clement Virgo’s Steal Away, a psychological thriller blending obsession, secrecy, and historical memory in a stylized and unsettling narrative. The night closed with Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent, starring Wagner Moura — a neo-noir political thriller set in 1970s Brazil, combining paranoia, surreal imagery, and historical intrigue, making it one of VIFF’s most audacious offerings.
Day 6 shifted toward introspection and literary resonance. A Private Life (Vie privée) featured Jodie Foster as Lilian Steiner, a Parisian psychoanalyst investigating a patient’s mysterious death, delivering a nuanced and captivating performance in her first French-language lead. Finally, Franz, Agnieszka Holland’s surreal Kafka biopic, used non-linear storytelling, dreamlike sequences, and inventive visuals to explore Franz Kafka’s complex emotional interior, family dynamics, and existential struggles, rounding out the festival’s mix of intense drama and cinematic artistry.
From raw emotion to stylistic experimentation, these six films reminded us why VIFF is our favorite festival of the year. Join us as we break down the standout performances, unforgettable moments, and bold cinematic choices defining VIFF 2025.
Steve Stebbing 