The U.S. and Canadian premiere of “Rosewater” will happen in early September at the upcoming Toronto Film Festival. The movie, produced by Chicago’s Gigi Pritzker, also marks the directorial debut of “The Daily Show’s” Jon Stewart. It’s based on the true story of Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari (portrayed in the film by Gael Garcia Bernal). It was Bahari’s appearance on Stewart’s show in 2009 that led to his five-month imprisonment by the Iranian government.
†Also bowing at the Toronto fest — seen as an important showcase for the big films heading into the annual movie awards season — will be “The Equalizer,” directed by Antoine Fuqua, and starring Denzel Washington, Marton Csokas, Chloe Grace Moretz, Bill Pullman and Melissa Leo. It’s an adaptation of the 1980s’ cult TV show.