There is a film that lucky attendees at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival will get to see, held from September 10 to 20, and it has a very captivating premise, even though it centers on a disease, Parkinson’s, which certainly isn’t something to smile about. Yet there can be lightness even in stories of hardship, and in this Onwards and Sideways the odds are helped by two exceptional leads: Laura Linney and Rhys Ifans. Imagining them together might suggest an ill-fitting pairing, but the trailer for the film seems to prove otherwise. It has just been released, and we happily share it with you. Another mark of quality is that behind the camera is John Madden, the director of the acclaimed Shakespeare in Love, Marigold Hotel, and Marigold Hotel Returns. The screenplay is by Paul Mayhew-Archer, who is also a writer, producer and actor, as well as co-host of a podcast that specifically discusses Parkinson’s disease and is titled Movers and Shakers. Joining Ifans and the Linney are Monica Dolan, Mayhew-Archer, and Rory Kinnear, best known for his portrayal of MI6 agent Bill Tanner in the James Bond films Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die.
But let’s discover exactly what Onwards and Sideways is about (the title meaning “forward and to the side”). In the official synopsis, the film follows two people, Tony and Emma, who do not know each other until “a surprising encounter changes the course of their lives.” On the same morning, both are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Between them, an unexpectedly strong friendship blossoms. The official synopsis also states that Onwards and Sideways is a compact blend of humor and emotion, challenges and courage, music and dance, all while addressing a disease about which there is still much to learn.
The Onwards and Sideways Trailer
And here is the trailer for Onwards and Sideways. It is very beautiful and moving, and for that reason we hope the film will secure an Italian distribution. If that should happen, remember to bring tissues to the cinema.
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