British writer and director Ben Wheatley (Kill List, Sightseers, A Field in England) has recently been announced as the latest addition to the Toronto International Film Festival line up, with his biggest project to date, High-Rise.
High-Rise centers on a new residential tower built on the eve of Thatcher’s England, at the site of what will soon become the world’s financial hub. Designed as a luxurious solution to the problems of the city, it is a world apart.
Enter Robert Laing (Hiddleston), a young doctor seduced by the high-rise and its creator, the visionary architect Anthony Royal (Irons). Laing discovers a world of complex loyalties, and also strikes up a relationship with Royal’s devoted aide Charlotte (Miller).
But rot has set in beneath the flawless surface. Sensing discord amongst the tenants, Laing meets Wilder, a charismatic provocateur bent on inciting the situation. Wilder initiates Laing into the hidden life of the high-rise and Laing is shocked at what he sees.
As the residents break into tribal factions, Laing finds himself in the middle of mounting violence. Violence that he also finds emerging in himself.
High-Rise is a part of the latest announcement of titles to be added to festival, and will premiere during September, with a UK release date soon to follow. Expanding upon his usual format, High-Rise will carry the same dark tones that are so familiar to Wheatley’s work, with an added emphasis on the periodic style. He spoke in a 2014 interview with i09, describing how, “I mean it’s going to look like the 70’s. It’s going to be very styled in that way… back then they had a real idea of what the future was going to be like, and it was much more stylish.”
In keeping with JG Ballard’s extremely dark novel, of which the film is based upon, High-Rise will be a gritty dark tale, that has Wheatley proclaiming “Yeah man. I’ll be going straight back to the dark shit.”
Other films to have been announced for the upcoming festival include Green Room, Blue Ruin and The Devil’s Candy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=8k_v0cVxqEY
Originally published August 14, 2015. Updated April 13, 2018.
