Guy Nattiv’s New Film 'The Liberation' to Premiere at Toronto International Film Festival

Israeli Oscar-winning director Guy Nattiv will debut his latest film, "The Liberation," at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) this September. The psychological drama, co-written by Nattiv and Noa Berman-Hertzberg, draws inspiration from a true family story. It centers on Rita, a character based on Nattiv’s Holocaust survivor grandmother, who becomes involved with a charismatic cult leader and leaves her family to join an isolated women’s commune. When her daughters unexpectedly arrive to bring her home, they too become entangled in the cult’s manipulative world, forcing Rita to choose between her new life and the family she left behind.

The film features a notable cast including Carey Mulligan as Rita, Bella Ramsey and Odessa Young as her daughters, and Lily James as the cult leader. Tracy Letts, Mulligan’s real-life partner, plays her on-screen husband. Jamie Ray Newman, Nattiv’s wife, also stars and co-produces the film. The production is by Sight Unseen in collaboration with Oren Moverman.

TIFF, established in 1976, is one of the world’s premier film festivals alongside Cannes, Venice, and Berlin. "The Liberation" will have its official Canadian premiere at TIFF, suggesting its world premiere may take place earlier in September at the prestigious Telluride Film Festival in Colorado. This screening adds to the growing international presence of Israeli cinema, alongside other films like Avi Nesher’s "Our Loves" also selected for TIFF.