British actress Keira Knightley arrives for the premiere of a "Dangerous Method" at the 68th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011.Jonathan Short/The Associated Press
THE GALAS
Hollywood actors Keira Knightley, Michael Fassbender and Viggo Mortensen take on challenging roles in A Dangerous Method, a provocative drama exploring the relationship between psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud and his pupil Carl Jung. Needless to say, there should be enough here to whet the appetites of celebrity spotters! The film is also one of the Globe critics' top 10 choices of films to watch this year at TIFF and has Torontonian David Cronenberg in the director's seat. Roy Thomson Hall, Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
A Canadian hockey drama with a Punjabi twist, Breakaway will likely appeal to the multicultural sensibilities of Torontonians. Actor Rob Lowe, comedian Russell Peters and the newcomer Vinay Virmani star. And for Bollywood fans who didn't get their fill of Indian cinematic stars during the IIFA awards earlier this year – feast your eyes on Akshay Kumar at the red carpet, who makes a cameo on the film. Elgin Theatre, Saturday, 9 p.m.
Who can seriously resist an Irish accent? Actors Glenn Close, Mia Wasikowska and Aaron Johnson as well as Jonathan Rhys Meyers of Tudors fame star in Albert Nobbs, a period drama set in 19th-century Ireland. Check out the gala event, Roy Thomson Hall, Sunday, 9:30 p.m.
THE EVENTS
The great Canadian thespian Christopher Plummer brings John Barrymore's final moments to the cinematic screen in Barrymore. Following the world premiere of the film, Plummer will take to the stage, addressing the full span of his remarkable career, with Chloe director Atom Egoyan moderating the conversation. TIFF Bell Lightbox 2, Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Milk star James Franco and director Gus Van Sant will discuss their latest project, Memories of Idaho. The film is a meditation in multiple parts of Gus Van Sant's 1991 film My Own Private Idaho, reputed to have had a major impact on the younger Franco. Listen to the pair in conversation at TIFF Bell Lightbox 5, Saturday, 5 p.m.
Don't miss seeing acclaimed director Francis Ford Coppola talk about his new film, Twixt, which premieres at TIFF, as well as discuss his accomplished filmography, including the Godfather films and Apocalypse Now. TIFF Bell Lightbox 1, Sunday, 12 p.m.
THE PARTIES
So far, all we can do is reiterate those rumours, but here are some of the party hot spots you might want to hit up on Saturday night: Gerard Butler and Rhys Ifans are expected to drop in at the Roosevelt Room, while the cast of The Oranges, including Hugh Laurie and Leighton Meester, are supposed to be at the Atelier.
Kathy Griffin will host the Cinema Against Aids gala, which features a special performance by John Legend. The evening will also include a special tribute to the late Elizabeth Taylor. The Carlu, Sunday, cocktail reception at 6:30 pm., performance at 8 p.m.