Babajide Fadoju …
The day at TIFF 2025 kicked off with a vibrant, friendly buzz as I stepped into the Princess of Wales Theatre. Crowds swirled through Toronto’s Entertainment District, a sea of cinephiles darting between cinemas, their excitement palpable.
I felt it too, my heart racing as I settled into my seat, ready for a day of cinematic magic. The festival’s 50th anniversary was in full swing, and the energy was electric.
TIFF’s CEO Cameron Bailey took the stage first, delivering a warm welcome address that set the tone for what promised to be an unforgettable screening.
Then, the lights dimmed, and Elvis Presley in Concert, directed by Baz Luhrmann, exploded onto the screen.
This wasn’t your standard documentary. Luhrmann, known for his dazzling visuals, crafted a whirlwind of flashy edits and vibrant images, but the heart of the film was Elvis himself.
The concert footage was nothing short of electrifying.
Elvis, always in motion, commanded the stage like a force of nature. He couldn’t stand still, his body swaying, hips shaking, voice soaring through pop, country, rock, and gospel. Yes, gospel. Elvis had everyone in the theatre all singing along to his rendition of ‘How Great Thou Art’ and a few other songs.
Trust me, it was beautiful.
The man played the crowd like a giant instrument, each note and gesture pulling us in. I found myself swaying in my seat, the theater transforming into a dance party as the audience clapped and cheered.
Between 1969 and 1977, Elvis performed 1100 shows, sometimes three a day, all within North America. That’s some serious stats on someone who is relentless about his craft and trade. Boundless energy.
The footage captured his relentless energy, his charisma, his ability to make every performance feel alive.
What struck me was how Luhrmann avoided the usual documentary trappings. No talking heads, no dry interviews. Instead, the film let Elvis’s performances speak, weaving archival clips into a pulsating narrative.
It answered the question of what a Baz Luhrmann-directed documentary looks like: bold, frenetic, and utterly captivating.
The gospel-infused moments hit especially hard, reminding me of the soulful depth Elvis brought to every genre. The crowd around me erupted at the end, the energy so infectious it felt like we’d all been at one of those Vegas shows.
After the screening, I met Gary and his niece Kealy Hastings, lifelong Elvis fans whose warmth and knowledge deepened my appreciation. Gary, a dedicated follower since the 1970s, shared stories of chasing Elvis’s shows and even collecting autographs from his backup singers as recently as 2009. Their passion was contagious, adding a personal glow to the experience.
Thank you Elvis Presley
Thank You Baz Luhrmann
Babajide FADOJU writes from Toronto