TIIF

Had the opportunity to go to the Toronto International Film Fest this past weekend with Russ…what a rush.
Saw 5 films (not movies…apparently, Film Festival people don’t call them movies) in 24 hours. Some winners and a couple of not that great.

Russ and I went to 990 Bistro on Bay for a little swing ding with the movie crowds on Thursday night. Wine, beer and snacks then off to Roy Thomson Hall for the Gala opening of a Norwegian film entitled MAX MANUS.

I must admit that I know very little about Norway except that it is located beside Sweden….other than that, I am coming up with nothing....I don't event think they have a hockey team...just a ski team. Anyway….Norway was occupied by the Nazis during the Second World War and this is a true story about Max Manus and his group of resistance fighters. This movie is such a hit in Norway that one quarter of the population has seen the film….Imagine that for a Canadian film. It didn’t disappoint….on the good list.

On Saturday, we saw 4 more films. It started with COOKING WITH STELLA. I really wanted to like this film…directed by Dilip Mehta (who came to the opening) and staring Canadians Don McKellar and Lisa Ray. Multiple stories lines with little strength in each. Beautiful images of India couldn’t carry the film…

Second we saw the John Keats period film BRIGHT STAR. This film was getting a lot of buzz and tells the story of Keats and his love Franny Brawn. Beautifully filmed period piece that would have benefited with about 30 minutes of film left on the cutting room floor.

Our third film of the day was BROKEN EMBRACES. Even Penelope Cruise couldn’t fix this.

Our last film was the Gala presentation of YOUNG VICTORIA. A beautiful period film telling the tale of Queen Victoria…the early days…a story of politics and pressure and of the love that developed between the young Victoria and Prince Albert (Rupert Friend). Emily Blunt is fabulous as the young queen. Oddly enough…directed by a French Canadian. A must see film.

All in all, it was a great way to spend a weekend. Lots of films and a few free wine and cheese parties to boot.