TIFF 2011 Highlights

The 36th Toronto International Film Festival was a whirlwind with all the running around to capture all the red carpets, screenings, press conferences and big named stars who were in attendance. TIFF is an exciting time for any member of the media, but it's also an exhausting one well-worth the sleepless nights. 

After an exhilarating 11-days of star sightings, reviewing films and filing to deadlines - it's now time to regroup and focus on the next project at hand. It's hard to believe TIFF is already over. While in the moment, whether it was waiting in line for a press conference or in the photo pit at a red carpet event, it seemed to take its time. 

TIFF was quite a success this year - it was gratifying for media, gave our economy a much-needed boost with revenues, and satisfied many film lovers with a variety of entertaining features, documentaries and shorts. Throughout the run of the festival, it was non-stop for all those involved with films to watch every day, gala presentations to attend, press conferences to cover, interviews with the stars and the numerous TIFF parties that went on until the wee hours of the night. Oh the parties - one of the highlights of the festival we all enjoy.

Unforgettable moments definitely include the rush of getting a spot on the red carpet, waiting with camera in hand all to grab that perfect shot of the many celebrities who came through Toronto for the film festival. I've never covered a red carpet event before, so this was absolutely thrilling. 

Toronto was booming with music, festivities and celebrations - all for the love of cinema. This year, TIFF brought 268 features and 68 shorts to the big screen, an eclectic mix of well-versed, well-created and well-executed cinema. 

Cameron Bailey, Co-Director of the Festival says TIFF is all about transforming the way people view the world of cinema, and with so much to see there's lots to choose from. These films all tell a story worth listening too, if you're open and willing to hear it.

“So we had the big ones that people were expecting to be good like Moneyball, The Descendants, Drive, Ides of March and The Artist, but we also had all kinds that were just discovered by our audience,” says Bailey. “What I like, is that we have a big enough range that there’s always going to be something for every movie goer.”

Some of this year’s highlights include one of my personal favourites Moneyball, a baseball film starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, about the challenges of a team trying to make it with not a lot of money to help them obtain the key players they need to be successful. I was rather surprised with how much I liked this film, since it was a sports film. But the story about the sport was intriguing and pulled me in right away. 

George Clooney’s the Ides of March, which stars Canadian actor Ryan Gosling, was another fan fav this year and one many critics also gave a thumbs up. This film toys with the possibilities of what may really be happening behind the closed doors in politics. Highly recommended. 

Joel Schumacher’s Trespass is a gripping film about a home invasion that unravels revealing a complicated thriller, starring Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman. Madonna’s W.E. was another one of those films audiences will either love or hate, there's no in-between here. Fascinated with the story of King Edward VIII and his romance with the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, the Material Girl wanted to give this story her own spin by giving it a modern-day feel. 

George Clooney and Ryan Gosling having a few laughs during 

the Ides of March press conference. Photo by: Sandy Caetano

Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler (Coriolanus). 

Photo by: Sandy Caetano

Seth Rogen (50/50) posing for a few shots. 

Photo by: Sandy Caetano

Anna Kendrick (50/50) look fabulous. 

Photo by: Sandy Caetano

Other big name films to catch once they are released on the big screen nationwide are Ralph Fiennes’ thrilling Coriolanus with the ever handsome Gerard Butler, 50/50 starring Seth Rogen, and Drive starring Gosling (The Ides of March), already playing in theatres. 

Luc Besson’s The Lady is also a highly recommended film. It’s an inspiring story about a real woman, Aung San Suu Kyi (or Daw Suu), who’s love and passion for her country has helped determine that anyone, man or woman, with faith, strength and willpower can eventually change the way the world works.

Also worthy of taking a look at include: Hysteria with actress Maggie Gyllenhaal, Steve McQueen’s Shame, Axel Petersen’s for Avalon (Sweden) who received the International Critics Prize, Discovery Programme, and of course Nadine Labaki’s Where Do We Go Now? which picked up the Cadillac People’s Choice Award.

And that’s all folks - that is, until next year’s festival gets underway. Until then, happy film-watching!

And remember to Stay Sassy! ;)

TIFF Brings Over $170 Million to Toronto

Any event be it a concert, sports event, trade show or festival of some sort is sure to have money pouring into the city and of course that also means giving the city a boost to it's economy. The 36th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has done just that, bringing in more than a whopping $170 million to the city of Toronto during it's 11-day run. 

It's interesting really how it all works. And with a festival of this size and caliber, it's really no surprise that it has continued to do wonders for our city year after year. It's hard to believe that this year's festival has already come to end - another year of watching breathtaking films, shooting the red carpets and listening in on press conferences has all wrapped up.

Cameron Bailey, Co-Director of the Festival says this year’s film fest has superceded all expectations having brought in over $170 million in hotel stays, restaurants and taxis that have all been busy throughout the festival. Here, I caught up with Bailey to get his thoughts on this year's impressive festival.

“TIFF, it’s also a sense of pride that Torontonians feel because it is an event that the world looks at and Torontonians, I think, can all feel some ownership of that,” says Bailey. 

“It (also) allows the city to strengthen it’s film culture, so we’re able to show the best in world cinema every year for our audiences in Toronto,” he continues. “As a result they have become known as the most sophisticated and enthusiastic film audience in the world, they just get to see more good movies then anybody else.”

This year’s film festival, showcased 268 features and 68 shorts, making it a hub of excitement and activity as critics, film-goers and filmmakers all gathered in Toronto to help change the way people see the world through cinema.

TIFF came to a close Sunday, September 18th, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Yorkville, with a brunch and short awards reception honouring this year’s most popular films. 

The three big winners were: Nadine Labaki’s Where Do We Go Now? who picked up the win for Cadillac People’s Choice Award, Jon Shenk for The Island President won the Cadillac People’s Choice Documentary Award, and the Cadillac People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award went to Gareth Evans for The Raid.

Programmer Thom Powers, GM of Canada VP of Sales, Service and 

Marketing M.J. Comeau, TIFF Programmer Rasha Salti and Filmmaker 

Gareth Evans, winner of The Cadillac People's Choice Midnight Madness 

Award for 'The Raid'.

Filmmaker Gareth Evans, winner of The Cadillac People's Choice 

Midnight Madness Award for 'The Raid'.

Labaki's film, set in war-torn Lebanon about a group of women and their unwavering friendship, is Lebanon’s entry for the best foreign language film category for the 2012 Oscars.

Since the Lebanese-Canadian writer/director was travelling in Europe when she heard the news and was unable to accept her award in person, she sent a statement which was read by festival programmer Rasha Salti.

“I’m thrilled, I’m happy, I’m ecstatic, I’m excited - my day that had just started on the wrong foot because of a flight cancellation has just been turned upside down,” read Salti. “I’m running around jumping up and down at the Frankfurt airport. Tomorrow we’ll be screening Where do we Go Now? for the first time in Lebanon and I will be proud and happy to announce the news in front of my crew, my family and the Lebanese audience.”

Other winners included Nathan Morlando’s Edwin Boyd with The SKYY Vodka Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film.

“The SKYY Vodka Award for Best Feature Film goes to a film that sets a tone, stays with it and shows you what it is to be a soldier returning from war only to find that the world has no place for you. This is a film that puts a human face on a Canadian myth,” remarked the jury.

The City of Toronto Award for Best Canadian Feature Film went to Philippe Falardeau for Monsieur Lazhar; while the award for Best Canadian Short Film was given to Ian Harnarine for Doubles With Slight Pepper. 

The Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prizes) for the Discovery Programme was awarded to Axel Petersen for Avalon (Sweden), while the Prize of the International Critics (FIPRESCI Prizes) for Special Presentations was given to Gianni Amelio for The First Man (Le Premier Homme) (France, Algeria, Italy).

It was surprising that none of the big name films won, like Moneyball or Ides of March. So what does this say about the fate of these films and the long list of others come Oscar time? There are a number of phenomenal films this year worthy of an award for one reason or another, big name films and all the rest. So which one will make it to the top this year? Your guess is as good as mine. 

If you want more information about the films screened at TIFF this year, visit www.tiff.net.




Stay Sassy!

Madonna turns 'Diva' at TIFF

From left to right: Composer Abel Korzeniowski, actress Andrea Riseborough, 

director Madonna and actress Abbie Cornish. Photo by: Sandy Caetano

When I read in a press release that Madonna, the Material Girl, was coming to town for her film W.E., about King Edward VIII and his love affair with famous divorcé, the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson. I was so excited. I can't describe in words how fabulous it would be to get into her press conference.

Since I was a little girl, I've always loved Cyndi Lauper and Madonna. I was lucky to get amazing tickets to a Lauper concert a number of years ago at Massey Hall in Toronto - a great place for a real intimate concert. She actually came down into the audience and danced with the fans.

Now to have the opportunity to be in the same room as Madonna was quite impressive. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to watch the film since it was playing right before the press conference, and there was absolutely no way I was going to miss this one.

I arrived at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 9:45am, and attended the Coriolanus press conference, which was on right before W.E. and in the same room. Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler were fun to watch and listen to - they were so real with all of their answers, and in fact eager to answer them.

Since there wasn't much time between press conferences, media who attended the first one were permitted to stay in the same room and wait in their same seats for the Madonna conference. So, as I've learned, I placed my camera on the stage and marked my spot so I could take photos. It was quite the prime spot too, a little off to the side, but good enough and close enough.

Right before the conference started, the press conference manager came out and told photographers that we only had 90 seconds to shoot photos and then everyone had to leave. No one except one photographer, George Pimentel, who was shooting this year's festival exclusively for TIFF, could stay to take any more photos.

Even those of us who had seats for the conference, as we were covering it for a particular outlet, were not even allowed to take photos with our camera phones. I couldn't believe how tight they were being. How can you come to a festival such as this expecting to get good coverage for your film, to have your work promoted, and not allow your photo to be taken?

To enforce this new rule, there was additional security placed in the room the duration of the conference to ensure there was no photos taken. Those who were caught received a stern warning, but of course, there were many who still got photos. They were just very discreet about it - very sneaky if you ask me. I didn't bother risking the chance that I would get kicked out.

As Madonna walked out on stage, I couldn't believe how much older she really looked. All these years she's always looked so young and vibrant, she aged really well, until now that is. Now she looks tired, fatigued even. Don't get me wrong, she still looks great, just not as great as she used to.

Once I got my shots, I took my seat before the conference got underway. Madonna seemed really nice and seemed happy to answer questions, her reply to most of the questions were really good, in fact she was actually all smiles and compliments. Of course, it could have all been an act, as I heard from a source that she had forced eight volunteers who were in the room to turn away and face the wall so they wouldn't look at the pop-star-turned-movie-director long periods of time. Really, who does that? That screams DIVA to me.

One of the most interesting parts was at the end of the conference. There was a girl by the front of the stage wearing an orange volunteer shirt, who walked right up to the stage and loudly asked Madonna for an autograph claiming it was for a "volunteer," a request she didn't turn down.

Sources informed me that she wasn't a volunteer at all, and not event a fan. Instead this 'rogue volunteer' as she's been dubbed, goes after stars' autographs so she can sell them. How she managed to get past the heavy security and walk right into the press conference is quite befuddling. She tried to get out of the room rather quickly, but got nabbed by security who asked to see her pass and ID, neither of which she had. They apparently let go of her for a brief second, and that's when she made a run for it down six flights of stairs and out of TIFF Bell Lightbox.

Autographs from someone like Madonna can go for hundreds, if not thousands, and the price actually goes up if you have a photo of her actually signing the item. I'd be curious to find out what she'll get for it now, especially considering the press it got. Time to search out EBay!


Stay Sassy!

Covering the 36th International Film Festival

The 36th Toronto International Film Festival has been a whirlwind. Between all the films, press conferences and red carpet events - there's barely been enough time to catch my breath.

While I was working for Metro News, I helped one of our staff writers cover a junket or press conference for TIFF here and there, but never had I covered the whole thing on my own. Well, that all started last year. I was able to get accredited by TIFF for T.O.Night Newspaper, the free evening daily paper in Toronto I write for. The application process is pretty lengthy, but definitely worth it once you have your press badge with your name, outlet's name and photo hanging around your neck.

My first year was great. I got to see Ryan Rynolds, Hilary Swank, Megan Fox, Mickey Rourke, Dominic Cooper, Jackson Rathbone and more. The films last year were also amazing, and I actually had time to take in a plentitude of them. Of course, we most certainly cannot forget the TIFF parties I attended at The Brant House and The Roosevelt Room Supper Club.

This year has been no different. Since TIFF enjoyed my coverage of last year's festivities, I was invited to come back out again. Since the festival started last Thursday, I've attended press conferences for Moneyball, Ides of March, Coriolanus and W.E. to name a few.

Moneyball was a fabulous movie. I must admit I wasn't very convinced I was going to like it going into the film. The story was captivating, and very relatable. Yes, it's a film about baseball, really and truly about the sport, but it was touching and interesting. It's definitely on my must-buy list when it comes to DVD. Brad Pitt put on a hell of a performance as Billy Beane, as did his co-star Jonah Hill. It was good to see Hill doing something a little more serious, though he still added his comedic quirks to his character Peter Brand.

It was a film about underdogs, about not being given a fair hand, about recreating and rebranding yourself to make it in any cut-throat industry - whether it's the world of baseball, fashion, marketing or even media. It's about taking a chance and starting over, believing in yourself and your talent. At one point in our lives, we've all had to rethink how we do things. So who can't relate to a film like that?

The highlight for me so far this year, was being in the photography pit on the red carpet for the premiere of Moneyball when Pitt and wife Angelina Jolie pulled up. Now I've covered junkets, roundtables, scrums, press conferences, concerts and other events, but never a red carpet - I had no idea what to expect.

Photographers were lined up an hour early to make sure they got a good spot. Most of them also had step ladders too, something I didn't even think about bringing. It was definitely a learning experience. I met some great photographers who were genuine about giving me red carpet tips. One veteran photographer even took his gorgeous, very heavy lens off his camera and put it on my camera body for me to get a few shots of Pitt. Before he did it, he said "I'm going to do something I've never done before," and then carefully mounted the lens on my camera. I couldn't believe he did that. No one does that. I was very appreciative, very thankful. Taught me a lot.

Even though we're all fighting to make a living, to get the story, we can't knock everybody down in order to get there. We all need a little help along the way. That was one moment I will never forget.

And yes, I also got a few great shots of Pitt and Jolie too! Stay tuned for more coverage about my journey through this year's film festival.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. Photo by: Sandy Caetano

Brad Pitt talking to ET Canada. Photo by: Sandy Caetano

Chris Pratt and Anna Faris. Photo by: Sandy Caetano

Johan Hill posing for photographers. 

Photo by: Sandy Caetano

Pretty cool shots for an amateur on the red carpet!


Remember to Stay Sassy!