Wow, what a weekend it’s been for film. Toronto Film Festival kicked off in style last Friday, boasting such major premieres like new sci-fi film ‘Looper’ and the epic ensemble piece ‘Cloud Atlas’. However, if you were to head over to Scotiabank screening on Friday evening you would have caught the first screening for the much anticipated ‘Wasteland’.

The film stars Luke Treadaway, Iwan Rheon, Matthew Lewis, Gerard Kearns, Neil Maskell and Timothy Spall and is produced by MoliFilms own Mark Foligno, Brad Moore and Iain Richardson. Heading the Discovery section, it played to a big audience along with director Rowan Athale and a selection of the cast. The film was greeted with a positive reception, with reviews starting to crop up on the internet later that evening. Here’s what they were saying:

‘A smart, penetrating first feature by the UK’s Rowan Athale, Wasteland is a deconstructed heist film that eschews the genre’s usual quick cutting and gritty visuals in favor of a quieter, more intimate approach…

Of course, like all good heist pictures, not everything turns out to be quite as it appears, and writer-director Athale obligingly lays down the various plot twists and turns…

The approach is echoed by cinematographer Stuart Bentley’s deliberately lit visuals and the focused performances of his cast, effectively headed by the charismatic Treadaway and the always-reliable Spall, who engage in a tautly calibrated game of cat-and-mouse.’

Michael Rechtshaffen – Hollywood Reporter

‘A heist thriller with a distinctly British sensibility, Wasteland marks an assured and engaging first feature from writer/director Rowan Athale. Appealing characters, clever plotting and smart dialogue make for a winning combination that should have commercial heft for a UK theatrical release and beyond.’

Allan Hunter – Screen Daily

This early buzz will surely catch the eye of film lovers every and build the excitement for it’s release. Meanwhile, if you want to catch it at Toronto, head down to the screening at Scotiabank 2 this Saturday at 15:30 for it’s final showing. At the moment, why not take a look at the awesome trailer hereand check back for more updates coming soon!