Movie Box Review

0% are attending 50+ films
33% are attending 26-49 films
16% are attending 15-25 films
33% are attending 5-14 films
16% are attending 1-4 films

Thanks for voting!

Things to note: The Advance Ticket line at the Varsity extends outside the building this year. Previously I only remember lining up inside around and around and in stairwells and twisting and turning through the Manulife Centre. Anyhow, not to self and others to keep that in mind on less than nice weather days.

Film of the Day:

Cèdre penché, Le
dir: Rafaël Ouellet
Program: Canada First!

I highly recommend this film. It was a real joy to watch, naturalistic and non narrative. The two leads play sisters that are singer-songwriters and the music was amazing. Producer Denis Côte was there for the Q&A and revealed that him and Rafaël Oouelle made an agreement to both make films for $10,000 and this is Rafaël Oouelle entry. A stunning achievement that is, and such a beautiful film. I look forward to seeing Denis Côte film, Nos vies privé which is also playing at the festival.

We are off to a great start!

The results are in!

69% of voters said: Yes, it's a yearly ritual
15% of voters said: No, but I wish I was!
7% of voters said: Yes, I go occasionally
7% of voters said: Yes, it's my first time
0% of voters said: No

Thanks to everyone who voted!

I will be writing entries as well as posting new polls every day from Sept 6-15, 2007 so be sure to come back often!

As we are less than 12 hours before the festival begins I thought I would put out some gentle and helpful reminders on how to have a smooth festival experience.

Remember your ticket
Not much is worse than getting to the theatre and realizing your ticket is sitting diligently by the door waiting for you. Keep it (or them!) in or with something you take everywhere. Could be your wallet, glasses case, bag or purse but make sure it's on your person when you head out. If you have a pass, or a ticket that needs a pass, make sure you have that too. It's a good thing I am writing this right now - I hadn't put my pass in my bag!

Check your ticket
I'm sure you checked the film title, but it's always good to double check the date and time (am or pm... they have shows running from 9am to midnight most days) and the theatre. In the program book sometimes the eyes waver which you are looking at all those films and you don't want to find yourself at Ryerson when you need to be at the ROM.

Give yourself enough time
If you are particular about seating make sure you get there early. Also, some of the theatres are within really short walking distance of each other (Cumberland/ROM/Varsity/Bader) but others are a fair distance (Ryerson/Scotiabank).

Wear comfy shoes
Especially if you plan on going early, or have multiple screenings to go to and/or quick treks across town. One of the things I noticed on ticket pickup day was the huge abundance of sensible shoes - quite the site.

Layers can save the day
Not all theatres are created equal. I tend to always bring a sweater whenever I go to the movies, and this I would recommend just in case and if you have the space. Ryerson is notorious for being chilly especially.

Ask the right person the right questions
Have a box office (ticketing) question? Ask the box office staff.
Not sure who to ask what question? Ask someone (volunteer or staff) who is the best person to talk to.
It's always great to chat with folks in line, but if you want to know something for certain - ask staff.

For general movie going etiquette, check out Mr Manners has a great article and podcast over at Mr Manners Quick & Dirty Tips for a More Polite Life. If nothing else - turn off your phone!

And I almost forgot... check the weather! It apparently always seems to rain one day, so check ahead and have anything you need handy whether that's an umbrella or sunscreen. Toronto in September is all over the board. Vickie at MoviePie Musings had the brillant idea to post next-day weather forecast for Toronto. Great idea Vickie!

Well, here it is! It's very exciting to now know for certain what I will be seeing, I was going to say 'because now I can plan'. Whelp, not much more time for planning considering my first film is in less than 48hours. 41 films in 10 days, I'm so thrilled. Seeing films at 9am or 11:59pm, chatting with fellow linemates, hearing the buzz or creating it I can't wait to see what this year brings.

I had 7 substitutions, but still ended up heavy in the Contemporary World Cinema and Masters Programs. I'm a little surprized I ended up with even more Midnight Madness and Vangard films, and that Discovery and Canada First! were so low, but that is the luck of the draw. Canada still reigns supreme with 10 of my selections being Canadian, then Japan and European co-pro's clock in at 5 each, followed by France with 4. Full details on programs & countries after the list.

Sucessful First Picks:

Âge des ténèbres, L
dir: Denys Arcand
It’s Denys Arcand - need I say more? Well if you insist Les Invasions barbares is one of my favourite films, ever.

Beyond the Years
dir: Im Kwon-taek
Masters program + Asian directors usually = amazing. I also missed seeing Chihwaseon in 2002. Story sounds compelling.

Blood Brothers
dir: Alexi Tan
This one I was concerned I would not get a ticket, it’s a Gala and looks a little brutal in terms of violence but historical and highly stylized.

Cèdre penché, Le
dir: Rafaël Oouelle
Program: Canada First!
It’s Canadian and this line from the program book got me “Avoiding conspicuous narrative turns, the sisters’ story advances on an entirely subtextual level’.

Chrysalis
dir: Julien Leclercq
French SciFi = yes. Concerned about level of violence though especially considering it’s part of the Vanguard program.

Contre toute espérance
dir: Bernard Émond
It’s Canadian and I loved Émond’s La Neuvaine from 2005.

Encounters at the End of the World
Dir: Werner Herzog
I have heard so many good things about the director and his latest wild release, Rescue Dawn with Christian Bale and I’ve not see anything by him so my curiously was piqued. Then to add the film is about the South Pole, and I was hooked.

Flash Point
Dir: Wilson Yip
I always try and work in at least one film at the festival that has martial arts, and this is this year’s selection for me. I also missed SPL in 2005 (I still remember the woman running the rush line shaking her head when I asked at my chances), so I’m really looking forward to it.

Forever Never Anywhere
Dir: Antonin Svoboda
The picture in the book got me, stories about people stranded can be interested and involved great acting although can also be straining. Fit nicely into my schedule.

Gentle Breeze in the Village, A
Dir: Nobuhiro Yamashita
Honestly, the kids in the print pic looked happy. Can always add a dash of happiness in the midst of all the films filled with angst, fear, disillusionment and pain.

Glory to the Filmmaker!
Dir: Takeshi Kitano
I saw this director’s film Takeskis’ in 2005 and I have to say it was one of the oddest films I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to see what he’s come up with this time.

I am From Titov Veles
Dir: Teona Strugar Mitevska
How many opportunities do you get to see something from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia? I’m not giving up this chance. Also noted in the write up was magical realism, which I tend to enjoy.

Kings
Dir: Tom Collins
Underdog story, Colm Meaney (woohoo!)

Love Comes Lately
Dir: Jan Schütte
Hmm.. not sure on this one, probably because I liked it better than other options at that timeslot.

M
Dir: Lee Myung-se
This is by far my most anticipated film of the festival this year. I absolutely loved Duelist from 2005 which combined a beautiful story, fantastic visuals and tugged at the heart strings but also and soaring swords. I’d be happy to see anything by Lee Myung-se and now I know why the fans in the audience that year were so excited and I undoubtedly will be one of them this year.

Man of Cinema: Pierre Rissient
Dir: Todd McCarthy
Film about Pierre Rissient, behind the scenes of in the film world. Yep, got me.

Mongol
Dir: Sergei Bodrov
How often do you get to see a co-pro from Germany/Kazakhstan/Russia/Mongolia? Add to that epic historical? I’m there

Mother of Tears, The
Dir: Dario Argento
Third in the trilogy that opened with Suspiria, I couldn’t pass over the opportunity to see this one. Although not impressed with picture in the program book.

My Winnipeg
Dir: Guy Maddin
I repeat, Dir: Guy Maddin. He’s an artistic genius, I will see anything he does. His films are out of this world, textural, vivid and bizarre. And Canadian to boot!

Normal
Dir: Carl Bessai (Unnatural & Accidental)
Canadian film with Canadian Actors (Carrie-Anne Moss, Callum Keith Rennie) set in Vancouver. Yep, I’m there.

Nos vies privé / Our Private Lives
Dir: Denis Côte
Canadian, looks compelling with the themes of isolation and connections

Paranoid Park
Dir: Gus Van Sant
This one is a bit of a risk for me. Gerry is one of my favourite films, however I was not impressed at all with Elephant. I am curious to see this one but am taking it with a grain of salt. Also, considering it was a Cannes award winner I’m not holding my breath that I’ll get in.

Sad Vacation
Dir: Shinji Aoyama
Look interesting, fit into my schedule. It seems pretty plot driven so I only skimmed over the description to yay/nah it and I yay’d it.

September
Dir: Peter Carstairs
Coming of age, friendships, social commentary of 1968 Australia.

Shadows
Dir: Milcho Manchevski
Wow, I’ve no idea. Possible because it’s part of the Masters program and European co-pro

Shake Hands with the Devil
Dir: Roger Spottiswoode
I saw a preview in regular theatre and was compelled, and that is hard to say because I usually avoid any films about war. Starring Roy Dupuis as General Dallaire, I couldn’t pass this one by.

Stone Angel, The
Dir: Kari Skogland
Canadian film based on the book of the same name staring Ellen Burstyn.

SUKIYAKI WESTERN DJANGO
Dir: Takashi Miike
Whoops, I thought this was by Takeshi Kitano. Anyhow it looks completely compelling a Midnight Madness film that is a western gets a ‘go’ for me.

Sun Also Rises, The / Tai Yang Zhao Chang Shen Qi
Dir: Jiang Wen
Sounded like interesting stories told over time with possible mystical notes.

Thousand Years of Good Prayers, A
Dir: Wayne Wang
Going to this one with my sister, and she suggested it so that’s the reason!

Ulzhan
Dir: Volker Schlö
Looks like might be bizarre and magical

Vexille
Dir: Sori
I'm not usually first in queue for animated flick but this looks gorgeous and I find the premise of a futuristic yet self-isolated country fascinating.

Voyage du ballon rouge, Le
Dir: Hou Hsiao-hsien (Three Times / Zui hao de shi guang)
Early promo print got me interested, then when I found out it was the director of Three Times, the green light was lit.

Wild Horse Redemption
Dir: John Zaritsky
Documentary about inmates training horses, that’s interesting. And it’s (yes you’ve heard it before…) Canadian.

Wolfsbergen
Dir: Nanouk Leopold
Drama, human stories, from The Netherlands.

Newly Added due to 1st choices being gone:

Amours d'Astrée et de Céladon, Les
Dir: Eric Rohmer
Random substitution and director's name sounded familiar

Boy A
Dir: John Crowley
Swapped in a Sunday morning film to allow for an early night somewhere else. That was a tough choice... subways open late on Sundays and I'll have to tape Coronation Street.

DAINIPPONJIN
Dir: Hitoshi Matsumoto
Woot! Fit in another Midnight Madness! I don't even remember what it replaced, but I'm happy.

Death Defying Acts
Dir: Gillian Armstrong
This one sounded very compelling.

King of the Hill
Dir: Gonzalo López-Gallego
This was my fourth and final choice for one night. Might be a bit brutal... we shall see.

Promise to the Dead: The Exile Journey of Ariel Dorfman, A
Dir: Peter Raymont
This is my 100% wildcard. I had not anticipated at all that I would need a second for this timeslot. Alas, after reading the description it sounded good and it was a documentary too which I don't normally end up seeing at TIFF. Something new every year!

XXY
Dir: Lucía Puenzo
This one fit snuggly between another two films after I swapped to a second pick somewhere else. It's all about the timing.

Didn't get:

Jar City
Dir: Baltasar Kormákur
Icelandic, bizarre, fit sweetly into my schedule. Looks like it might be a bit brutal, print shot in book has lots of jars with body parts. It’s gotten a fair amount of press, possible due to the CSI-like nature of the plot, therefore I am surprized I did not get tickets for it.

Frozen
Dir: Shivajee Chandrabhushan
Fascinating setting: India’s Himilayas in the cold winter.

Garage
Dir: Lenny Abrahamson
Misfits, unconventional friendships, noted great performance – all sound good to me.

Ploy
Dir: Pen-ek Ratanaruang
Seems like it will be interesting pacing and subject matter. I also tend to like films from Thailand, the few of which I’ve seen.

Trap, The
Dir: Srdan Golubović
I’m a little reserved on this one but it fit in my schedule and I’ve never seen anything from Serbia (it’s a Serbia/Germany/Hungary co-pro). Plot seems a little shifty and notes ‘tough ethical choices’ but I thought I would to risk it.

Under the Same Moon / La Misma Luna
Dir: Patricia Riggen
Tale of the human spirit, fit into schedule.

Program breakdown:
7 Contemporary World Cinema
6 Special Presentations
6 Masters
5 Midnight Madness
5 Vangard
4 Real to Reel
3 Discovery
2 Gala
1 Visions
1 Canada First

Country breakdown:
10 Canada
5 European co-pro's
5 Japan
4 France
3 USA
2 Asian co-pro's
2 Australia
2 Euro/UK
1 Ireland
1 South Korea
1 The Netherlands
1 Great Britain
1 Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
1 China
1 Italian/US
1 Spain

I will be having daily polls Sept 3-15, 2007 during the Toronto International Film Festival this year, be sure to cast your vote (look to the right hand side of the screen)! I will also ask people I encounter at the film festival and add that to the total.

Here are some pictures of the pick up line for TIFF this morning. I arrived at 9:30am, which was only 1/2 hr prior to them opening and I'll admit that isn't all that early. However I did not expect it to take 6 hours and 15 minutes between 2 line ups to get my tickets. There was a bit of a mix up in my order and just processing it took a long time, but the box office guy was truly lovely as we got my order sorted.









I really got a chance to chat with my fellow 'linemates' and the woman ahead of me called us. The initial pick up line took 1 1/2 hrs, and the exchange line although substancially shorter took 3 hours to get through from the back (At Yonge & Gerrard) to the box office. I kept saying to myself, and others, that my goal of the day was to leave with all 45 hard tickets. I happily can say that I did succeed. The likely sunburn and tired feet were not on my list today, but in the end it was worth it.





Upcoming tomorrow will be my finalizied list of film, including why I choose them.