Party Life (Top Five TIFF Memories)

#5. TIFF 2002: TRAINING DAY… You always remember your first time. Yes, it was a mainstream choice, yes many think it’s not such a good flick. Thing is though, it was chosen by a wide-eyed 23-year-old kid. That kid was still slightly unfamiliar with the more nuanced genres of film, let alone having any clue how TIFF’s ticketing system worked. Unworthy choice or not, it was still a blast…waiting in that long winding line…sitting in that packed theatre…and catching a cinematic virus that I’m yet to shake from my system.

#4. TIFF 2005: CORPSE BRIDE… I don’t bother with the big gala premieres. The tickets are expensive (Usually more than $40), film quality isn’t always guaranteed (SHARK TALE was a gala. Yes, really), and more often than not the general public feel like second class attendees. However I do quite enjoy seeing premieres at The Visa Screening Room…and never have I been in a crazier atmosphere than this screening, where much of Yonge Street – a major downtown Toronto artery – was a zoo of onlookers and screaming hordes for the arrival of Johnny Depp. By and large, I tend not to rubberneck at the famous people, but on this particular evening, it was crazy not to get caught up in the excitement.

Oh, and the film was pretty good too.

#3. TIFF 2003: DOGVILLE… A wise TV show once said “you take the good, you take the bad”. This was my first foray into a TIFF audience taking the bad. For those of you who haven’t seen it, DOGVILLE unfolds at a snail’s pace…and has the feel of actually being a videotaped dress rehearsal on a sound stage. On this day my friends, the natives were restless. An audible buzz started taking over the audience one hour in. many people got fed up and walked out (which I’d never seen before at a movie – let alone in such numbers). It gave me a clear cut indication, that just because TIFF audiences are open minded, doesn’t mean they’ll weather a lousy film quietly. The most memorable part by the way? Each chapter of the film is announced with a title card. When the final title card appeared on screen saying “Chapter Nine: In which Dogville receives the long-awaited visit and the film ends”, it was greeted with a round of applause.

#2. TIFF 2006: FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION… I’ve repeatedly been asked why I see a movie that’s already locked a major theatre release. One of the reasons I usually respond with, is that it’s often a chance to hear the filmmakers and actors thoughts after the film in a Q & A session. Seldom was such an experience more memorable than after a noon screening of Christopher Guest’s film, when he came out on stage as the credits rolled…and brought with him almost the entire cast! Only Ricky Gervais was absent, but all the rest of his usual band of brothers were there – a rarity for a midday screening on a weekday! The Q & A period was almost as funny as the film itself, and was also quite insightful. For instance: Catherine O’Hara’s expression of plastic surgery gone amok, is actually a wonder of her own ability to make a funny face! Yes, I could have waited six week, saved six bucks, and seen the film when it hit the multiplex…but being in the same room as such comedic genius was reason alone to add this show to the slate.

#1B. TIFF 2007: BODY OF WAR… One thing I love about TIFF audiences, is their openness to being moved by a good story. Seldom have I been part of a house more emotional, than the premiere of this little documentary about an Iraq vetran wounded early in his tour of duty. We were told the story of Tomas Young- a true hero, who gave so much to his country without questioning motive. We then watched in awe as this same hero began his new life journey as an Iraq Veteran Against The War. As the credits began to roll, the house lights came up, the director came out and brought Tomas Young to the stage. There were precious few dry eyes in the house.

Capping off this unforgettable screening was the fact that Eddie Vedder, who wrote two songs for the film, was also on hand…and even performed on stage for everybody!

By this point I was blogging, so if you’re truly curious, you can click here and read what I wrote at the time. This particular moment brought together everything I love about TIFF: a moving story, getting to hear first hand from talented artists, and being part of something special. For those reasons, it tops my list.

Well, almost…

#1A. TIFF 2002: TRY SEVENTEEN… This film, which never got a theatrical release, and went straight to dvd retitled ALL I WANT, edges out BODY OF WAR. Not because it was a glitzy premiere, not because of any insightful Q & A, and certainly not because it was a moving film.

No, this screening, on September 10th 2002 will forever be my very favorite TIFF moment, because it was this night, at this screening, that I met the woman I’ll soon be marrying.

Let that be a lesson all ye TIFF patrons – get your nose out of that book and talk to the people around you in line. They might find you interesting enough to marry!

Being part of a buzzing flashbulb-poppin’ crowd, or getting to pose a question to a moviemaking legend may be seven kinds of cool. However, for me, neither of those, nor any other detail mentioned in my other five memories could possibly hold a candle to true love.

How’s about you? Feel free to leave comments naming your favorite TIFF memories, along with suggestions for the next top five.