“It’s amazing what family is willing to do for each other.”
Director Dito Montiel made a name for himself with a stellar debut in the film world by adapting his memoir, “A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints,” ushering Channing Tatum into movie stardom. The film explored estranged family dynamics and what one is willing to do to avoid the seduction of violence. It propelled Montiel into the stratosphere of indie cult followings, aided by the director’s keen sense for flashbacks and comedy to illustrate difficult relationships.
It seems that Montiel’s taste hasn’t changed much since his early 2000s beginnings. The filmmaker continues his signature outlook on life with the new crime comedy “Riff Raff,” which debuts this week at the Toronto International Film Festival.