TIFF 51: Germany’s “Everytime” and Italy’s “The Spiral”

by Cláudio Alves Every year, a good part of my TIFF journey involves seeking the films that will eventually compete for the Best International Film Oscar. After all, here at The Film Experience, we’ve always prided ourselves on giving in-depth coverage to a race many overlook. Sometimes, the films have already been submitted by their nations by the time I arrive. Toronto. Sometimes, the news comes midway through the fest, after I’ve watched a picture and dismissed it despite the fun we had together. Who knew AMPAS’ most awarded nation would go so wacky, even tacky, for their selection? As to why I decided to pair these two? Well, they both offer portraits of families in crisis, grief as seen through the prism of mothers on the verge of a nervous breakdown. And yet, they couldn’t be more different. From Germany, a country already in the running thanks to Berlinale winner Yellow Letters, we have Sandra Wollner’s Everytime, which took first prize in Cannes’ underrated Un Certain Regard…