Wake Up (Thoughts on TIFF Day 3)

Before I get into the yin and yang that was my TIFF Saturday, I just want to say a quick hello to the woman I met in line this afternoon. Her name was Mary Lynn and it was a pleasure talking with her. Meeting film enthusiasts like her is one of the best things about these ten crazy days.

My day began by bringing me back to the scene of last night’s bliss, The Ryerson theatre. Eighteen hours after being party to rock royalty, I was treated to some very different – and very moving – music. The crowd was just as spirited, but far more respectful than last night’s collection of rocknrollas. After I witnessed the second standing ovation in as many screenings, I was happy to see delighted director Elizabeth Vasarhelyi and the man of the hour Youssou Ndour himself take the stage for a great Q&A.

Afterwards, in a stroke of pure luck, I managed to snap the photo of Youssou above and shake his hand. In case you’re keeping score at home, that’s two musician hand-shakings in two days.

This sort of joy and enthusiasm wouldn’t last though, since my next stop was north to The Varsity for a screening of NEW YORK, I LOVE YOU. I felt something was amiss when we arrived and noticed a full eight rows cordoned off as reserved. (For the un-initiated, seats in every screening are reserved for guests involved with the film. Most public screenings set aside as few as four seats, to as many as three rows). At first I started thinking “Big cast, big crew, this might actually make sense”. Then the truth became clearer – the movie is a work-in-progress, and the eight rows were intended for potential studio buyers.

That’s right gang – eight whole rows of full-of-themselves, not really interested, restless, clueless, Blackberry wielding, studio muscle.

I understand that buyers are important to getting movies like these out to the movie going public, but I fail to understand why they need to act so holier than thou. Many arrived late, walked out early, used their Blackberries during the screening, and basically acted like eight rows worth of bulls in china shops. The other thing I don’t get, is that TIFF holds Press & Industry screenings for this sort of thing – how come such a big flock of vultures were required to circle over this showing?

Do I Need a Coat?… Sunday promises to be rainy with temperatures down around 18 C / 64 F

Hey, Isn’t That… Youssou Ndour and LeBron James were out and around The Ryerson during their premieres.

Dude, You Gotta Try This… If you’re in the mood for Thai and find yourself near The Varsity, grab a stool at Zyng on the corner of Yonge and Charles.