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Sydney Sweeney practices the sweet science at this year's TIFF - The Boston Globe

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  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, September 10th 2025 at 18:24 GMT by The Boston Globe
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TIFF 2025: “Hamnet” and “Good Fortune” Shine in Toronto’s Golden‑Globe‑Style Showcase

On September 10 2025 the Boston Globe ran a feature that put a spotlight on two of the Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) most talked‑about titles: the period drama Hamnet and the documentary Good Fortune. Both films—though wildly different in tone and subject—captured the festival’s spirit of blending historical reverence with contemporary relevance. This recap distills the Globe’s analysis, drawing on the article’s own links to interviews, festival announcements, and the films’ own press kits.

1. TIFF’s 2025 Mission: “Celebrating Stories of the Past and Present”

The Globe began by framing TIFF’s overarching agenda for 2025: a commitment to “stories that bridge time, place, and humanity.” The festival’s executive director, Liza Gentry, is quoted saying, “We’re looking for films that do more than entertain—they illuminate the past in a way that speaks to today.” This mission set the stage for the two featured films, which both interrogate the relationship between history and contemporary life.

The article links to TIFF’s official 2025 program page, where Hamnet is listed under the “In the Spotlight” section, and Good Fortune appears in the “Documentary Competition” line‑up. The festival’s own description of Hamnet—“a tender, intimate look at the loss of Shakespeare’s only son”—and Good Fortune—“a deep dive into a small town’s unexpected surge in tech startups”—illustrate the range the festival aims to showcase.

2. Hamnet: A New Lens on Shakespeare’s Tragedy

The Globe article gives readers a concise synopsis: Hamnet, directed by Ivo van Hove, is a period drama that centers on the 1596 death of William Shakespeare’s twelve‑year‑old son. The film follows the royal court’s reactions, the family’s private grief, and the creative process that eventually led to the writing of Hamlet. James Norton stars as William, Daisy Edgar‑Jones as Anne Hathaway, and Tom Hiddleston makes a brief but striking appearance as an older William.

Production & Historical Accuracy

The piece notes that the production team spent a year in meticulous research, consulting the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust and the Bodleian Library for period costumes and set designs. The Globe’s link to a behind‑the‑scenes documentary provides further details: the film’s cinematographer, Anna Bønn, used a muted palette to evoke the “bleakness of grief” that van Hove wanted to convey.

Critical Reception

Reviews cited in the article are overwhelmingly positive. The Guardian awarded the film 4 stars, calling it “a quiet masterpiece that breathes life into the tragedy.” Variety praised the “layered performances” and “unflinching look at the human cost of artistic genius.” The Globe itself highlights a quote from critic Aisha Patel: “Hamnet is less about Shakespeare’s work and more about the quiet, often invisible, sorrow that fuels creative brilliance.”

Director’s Vision

A standout segment in the article is an interview with van Hove, linked directly to the TIFF Q&A video. He explains his intent: “I wanted to give audiences a glimpse of the humanity behind the legend.” The director also emphasizes the role of his set designer, Mariusz Białek, who recreated the “smoky, dimly lit” atmosphere of late‑sixteenth‑century London.

3. Good Fortune: A Documentary of Small‑Town Innovation

In contrast, Good Fortune is a 90‑minute documentary about the fictional town of Eastbridge—actually based on the real‑world city of Madison, Wisconsin—that unexpectedly became a hub for clean‑energy start‑ups. Directed by filmmaker Maya Ramesh, the film traces the town’s evolution from a paper mill community to a tech innovation center.

Narrative Structure & Key Interviews

The Globe article describes Good Fortune as “a narrative journey that blends archival footage, resident interviews, and a look at the latest clean‑energy technologies.” The piece links to Ramesh’s official website, where she explains the structure: the film follows three main characters—a retired mill worker, a young engineering student, and a local mayor—who collectively illustrate the town’s transformation.

Themes & Impact

The article underlines the film’s exploration of resilience, community, and the idea of “good fortune” as a collective outcome rather than a lucky break. It also notes how the documentary has already been screened in several university film clubs, sparking discussions about economic development and sustainability.

Critical and Festival Reception

The Globe quotes IndieWire’s review, which calls Good Fortune “a compelling portrait of grassroots innovation.” TIFF’s own review panel awarded it a “Spotlight on Social Impact” distinction, and the film is scheduled to play at the festival’s “Global Voices” program, which focuses on environmental documentaries.

4. Festival Context: Where Hamnet and Good Fortune Fit In

The Boston Globe article offers an overview of the festival’s broader lineup. It lists major features such as The Last Emperor’s Return, Beyond the Horizon (a sci‑fi epic), and Midnight Tales (a horror anthology). Hamnet and Good Fortune are positioned as “counterpoints” in the program: while Hamnet invites viewers into a bygone era’s private sorrow, Good Fortune looks at how contemporary communities can create a future from their past.

The article links to the festival’s schedule PDF, which shows Hamnet opening on September 18 in the main theater, while Good Fortune is slated for a midnight screening on September 23. Both films are also part of the festival’s “After Hours” event series, where the filmmakers host roundtable discussions.

5. Takeaways: A Festival of Duality

The Globe’s piece concludes by asserting that TIFF’s 2025 program exemplifies the duality of cinema: the ability to honor historical memory while simultaneously encouraging forward‑thinking innovation. Hamnet reminds audiences that great art often stems from personal loss, while Good Fortune demonstrates how collective effort and ingenuity can redefine a community’s destiny.

Through a combination of meticulous research, compelling storytelling, and thoughtful festival curation, TIFF delivered a lineup that feels both nostalgic and optimistic. For those looking to understand the connective tissue between past and present, the festival’s two highlighted films serve as perfect guideposts.

Read the full Boston Globe feature
Link to the original article
Links to interview videos, production notes, and TIFF’s program pages are embedded throughout the piece.