TIFF - explain the allure of it

[afterhours]

You get to stand in line and watch people try really hard to look like they're not trying very hard. It isn't as easy as it sounds. It takes masterful hourly use of hair care products which cost more than rent and are made of aborted fetuses. Try walking a mile in THOSE Louboutins.

I love your sense of humour...why aren't you tall and skinny with big boobs and madly in love with me?

 

[Don Draper]

On the list for tonight's Gala. I'll post a review later. It does look very enticing...

Ms. Zhang Ziyi will be there. (Gasp!) I do hope she remembers what I said to her at the 'House of Flying Daggers' Gala.

(Maybe that's why she came back!!!)​

 

[Don Draper]

'Dangerous Liaisons' works. For those familiar with the original play and 1988 Frear's Masterwork, this version is angled a little more towards the melodramatic side in order to appease the Asian market. The Madame de Tourvel role (Zhang) is more prevalent in the narrative. She is introduced much earlier on. The ending is not quite as 'harsh' as in the original.

The cinematography is gorgeous as is the production design. The surrealist CGI is akin to Dick Tracy's in order to re-capture Shanghai in 1931. A little too bright and two dimensional in some parts but never takes away from story.

Ziyi is a standout. She'll break your heart as a woman whose heart is broken twice. Soft, delicate and just the right nuance of vulnerable, she'll make this one a highlight of her cinema oeuvre.

Best line of the night as she introduced the film (looking radiant, I must say): "I hope you enjoy the film even though I don't kick any ass."

Love her.

 

[Don Draper]

Don, did you see Olga Kurylenko around in your TIFF travels?
This Bond beauty (Quantum of Solace) will be in a Sci-Fi movie called Oblivion and is here for To The Wonder, which
is being introduced at TIFF.
Simply beautiful.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/09/10/kurylenko-looks-for-love-in-malick-film

Of the two women present at TIFF that I wanted to be in the same room with, I managed to do so with one of them. The lovely Zhou Xun was at another screening that conflicted with one of mine on the weekend.

That's not to say that if I crossed paths with the enticing Ms. Kurylenko, I wouldn't mind 'Shaking & Stirring' a few things up with her.

A little conversation is more my style (as with Jeon Do-Yeon last year and Zhang Ziyi at the 'House of Flying Daggers' Gala) but to stand behind a railing like a caged infidel isn't really my thing.

 

[richaceg]

there was a time when any Film Festival was flocked because of the movies...now it's being overrun by a bunch of losers waiting in line to get a glimpse of the "winners". and sadly you have to go through them (losers) to get to the movies.

 

[blackrock13]

there was a time when any Film Festival was flocked because of the movies...now it's being overrun by a bunch of losers waiting in line to get a glimpse of the "winners". and sadly you have to go through them (losers) to get to the movies.

Please explain why the watchers are losers.

 

[richaceg]

Please explain why the watchers are losers.

i'm not implying the watchers (of movies)...i'm saying the people who wonder around for celebs and scream they lungs out for semi-popular celebrities just because...

 

[MyHobbyist]

I can't stand this TIFF bull*
this is the chance for Toronto's biggest wannabees to pretend they're "somebody"

 

[fun-guy]

^^^ careful there Hobbyist, you've just insulted a lot of members on this board.

 

[richaceg]

I want them celebs in the big screen doin' what they do best...acting. Doesn't do much for me prancin' around TO doing nothing but looking cute.

 

[blackrock13]

I want them celebs in the big screen doin' what they do best...acting. Doesn't do much for me prancin' around TO doing nothing but looking cute.

The last group I saw doing that was some UofT frosh down College.

 

[blackrock13]

i'm not implying the watchers (of movies)...i'm saying the people who wonder around for celebs and scream they lungs out for semi-popular celebrities just because...

As opposed to those who scream themselves hoarse at sporting events or at rock concerts.

 

[wigglee]

the chicks!

 

[MyHobbyist]

^^^ careful there Hobbyist, you've just insulted a lot of members on this board.

not my intention at all.
but my apologies

 

[MattRoxx]

As opposed to those who scream themselves hoarse at sporting events or at rock concerts.

Yeah what I don't understand is the allure of professional sports. And why the heck the national anthem is played at the start of every game. What's up with that?
With movies everyone involved is trying their best, in sports the game often appears to consist of 90% mediocre effort and maybe 10% slightly above average.

But probably what's needed for more people on this particular forum to get onboard the movie train would be for this city to host another annual event, STIFF: The Sex-oriented Toronto International Festival.

 

[afterhours]

Yeah what I don't understand is the allure of professional sports. And why the heck the national anthem is played at the start of every game. What's up with that?

Best taxpayers are those who have big muscles, discipline and team spirit. Second best taxpayers are those who like watching people who have big muscles, discipline and team spirit.
If I was a king I would want vassals like that. Sport therefore should be promoted and associated with the state.

 

[Fritz the Cat]

I also have no interest in the disinterested snobbery that comes along with TIFF. I have no time or patience for those that only want to cheaply enhance their low self esteem by saying that were at a some place with 'so and so' or saw whoever at whatever it was. These parasites have no place at any film festival since they're taking up the space a true film aficionado should have.

If a film entertains, that's a great thing. That is not it's prime mandate. A film should educate, enlighten and mostly: it should induce reflection. Whether it be social, cultural, racial or political, whatever theme it chooses. To say that a film should only 'entertain' is to put Cinema in a very small box. Other than travel, the most accessible way to experience another place, language or culture is through film. It's a truly great thing.

It's also a great thing to see an authentic, genuine World Class event happen in our city. Toronto wants to claim 'World Class' Status in many things that simply are not. Well, here is one occasion that truly is. It's homegrown and handmade. Torontonians should be very proud of a huge event that goes off every year without a hitch. No one gets hurt, no one gets robbed, people unite in a common love for film and get to see something of true artistic value to remember. The world watches us for 10 days every year and wish they were here. We are here. Good for us.

As per the women, you know I adore women as well.

I have no interest in the dumb tarts that think Santoro, Clooney or Kaneshiro will spot them and bed them therefore make them feel better about their already compromised self esteem. Those guys are already there with someone else.

I'd rather pay attention to the girl I'm attending with since we're both there to get a kick out of the film we're both going to see.

I like the way you think Don. Plus, you and I have similar tastes. We should go out to see a movie together at some point...

 

[bobobots5]

Yes it's around $20 but some of these movies will not be in theatres for weeks or months...or ever, in the case of some of the foreign films, docs and shorts.

There's also added value, interest and energy when watching a movie with an audience full of people who are into it for various reasons. And many of the movies are shown with the director in attendance, and a Q and A session afterwards.

There is some fun to be had, too, such as the Midnight Madness series. There's nothing quite like seeing a new horror movie at midnight in a theatre packed with knowledgeable and enthusiastic horror film fans.

I can't agree more. I've been to some galas with the celebrities present for the movies and there definitely is a hoity-toity attitude in the air that some of the anti-TIFF comments have pointed out, but some fans of film are there to take in the experience. How can you blame someone for being curious to see what all the fuss is about?

The Midnight Madness shows are definitely more fun due to the crowd. I remember last year, chatting with a cute Ryerson grad who was watching all by her lonesome as she was a fan of the director who was present and did the Q&A after the film. It's not just snooty people trying to be seen in the limelight as shown in the media. Sometimes it's two strangers in the dark getting acquainted with each other at midnight outside the Isabel Bader Theatre - anxiously waiting in line to see some blood on the screen!