The Toronto Star, August 20, 1997

By Peter Howell

Toronto Star Movie Critic

The world premiere of the controversial Seven Years In Tibet, starring Brad Pitt, is this year's closing night gala at the 22nd annual Toronto International Film Festival.

Directed by France's Jean-Jacques Annaud, it's about the spiritual awakening of a mountain climber, a good metaphor for Toronto movie buffs anticipating the summit of cinema awaiting them Sept. 4-13.

The almost-final lineup of festival films was announced yesterday, adding six more gala titles, seven more Special Presentations and the complete slate for seven other programs: The Masters, Contemporary World Cinema, Balkan Cinema: Home Truths, Director's Spotlight, Discovery and Real to Reel. Only the Midnight Madness titles remain; they're expected next week.

It's a total of 281 films from 58 countries, comprising 233 features and 49 shorts (including 21 Canadian features and 31 shorts). Of that total, 141 features will be making their world or North American debuts in Toronto.

``I think it's really strong,'' said festival director Piers Handling, who was even more upbeat than usual about his programmers' choices.

The new galas announced yesterday, completing the list of 18, include show closer Seven Years In Tibet, which arrives with controversy over Brad Pitt's character. Set in World War II, he's an ex-Nazi storm trooper who befriends the Dalai Lama and fights for human rights in Tibet; Jewish leaders in the U.S. have criticized it for potentially glorifying a Nazi sympathizer.