Written by The Strategy
The 43rd annual Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) started Sept. 6th and filled the streets of Toronto with fans, films stars, and film industry vets. During it’s 10 day run, there’s a party every night, gifting suites all over the city and films throughout the days and nights. The ‘festival of festivals’ gives us Toronto-nians a glimpse at the dozens of films on their way to Oscar fame. This year, we once again visited the gifting suites, went to the parties, watched the films, and kept a diary about it all.
THE MOVIES
There is nothing quite like seeing a film at the film festival. Not only are tickets about 3x the usual price, but you get to see movies way ahead of when they will actually hit theatres. In most cases, as well, the films actors, directors and producers will make an appearance post screening to answer audience questions. Only serious questioners need raise their hands.
Sisters Brothers, Sunday Sept. 9th @ 10:00 AM, Winter Garden Theatre
Jake Gyllenhaal, Riz Ahmed, Joaquin Phoenix, and John C Reilly lead this totally hideous cast. Jokes.
The film is based on Patrick deWitt’s award-winning novel of the same name, and tells the story of two notorious assassins, Eli and Charlie Sisters, played by John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix. It follows the brothers as they navigate the wilds of the American West at the height of the Gold Rush, on a mission to kill Hermann Kermit Warm, played by Riz Ahmed. The Sisters Brothers face many a compilations on their travels, including a detective, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, who is tracking the same man they are.
The film is hilarious, which you can expect when John C. Reilly is in the mix. While the film is set in the American West, director Jacques Audiard will be the first to tell you this film isn’t a Western, but instead a comedic adventure.
Papi Chulo, Monday Sept. 10th @ 6:00 PM, Scotiabank Theatre
Papi Chulo tells the story of a TV weatherman, Sean, played by Matt Bomer who has gone through heartbreak and ‘hires’ a middle-aged Latino migrant worker to be his friend and companion. It’s a dark comedy that reflects on class, ethnicity and companionship, in the somewhat vain setting of Los Angeles.
First Man, Saturday, Sept. 15th @ 9:30 PM, Princess of Wales
First man tells the story of Neil Armstrong, played by Ryan Gosling, and the moon landing. It spends 50% of the time on Neil’s personal life, including the loss of his young daughter, Karen, and the other 50% focused on Nasa’s trials in getting to the moon during the space race.
We can already tell that this film is going to be huge during awards season, and will perhaps snag an Oscar or two. Ryan Gosling definitely deserves recognition for the work he did in portraying Neil.
THE SUITES
Hosted by PR companies, suites pop-up all over the city. It’s a way to get their represented brands into the hands of the industry elite. A visit to one never leaves you empty handed.
beautyBOUTIQUE by Shoppers Drug Mart in Partnership with eOne
The beautyBOUTIQUE by Shoppers Drug Mart and eOne take up the whole 18th floor of the Intercontinental Hotel. Each room on the floor hosts a different beauty experience. In one, you can get your makeup done by Smashbox, in another, hair styling, in another, manicures by Quo by Orly. I opted for hair styling, a makeup application by Smashbox and a Silk’n Titan treatment. The latter did wonders to my face and I’ve been raving about it to anyone who will listen.
NKPR’S IT House X Producer’s Ball
NKPR’s IT House is a staple among TIFF’s gifting Suites. This year was no exception. You could have your make up done by Lise Watier, learn more about Swarovski’s upcoming collections and try out black vodka with the makers of Hounds vodka. It tastes so much better than it actually sounds. We’ve actually converted.
Suite On The Sixth
Suite On The Sixth was back again for another year, representing brands like L’Oréal Paris, Perth Soap Co., BOGS⁰, and SimplyProtein. The highlight: Casper Mattresses were there to promote the Casper pillow. I think this pillow comes as close to sleeping on a cloud as you can get. Another highlight: refuelling for the upcoming days with SimplyProtein.
Bask It Style
The last suite on our agenda was Bask-It-Style’s suite, representing the likes of Green House Juice Co., DK book publishers and Biossance beauty. Guests were walked through different ‘rooms’ all with different themes, including the Technology Room, the Refreshment Room and the Beauty meets Style Room. The Technology Room introduced us to the likes of Turo, a game change car rental service. The Refreshment Room introduced us to Crazy D’s Prebiotic Soda Labs and Pilot Coffee. And The Beauty meets Style Room treated us to a hand massage with Biossance and an introduction to House of Hyla footwear.
THE PARTIES
The parties are possibly the most fun part of TIFF. When else can you say you literally rubbed elbows with Jude Law and danced with Amandla Stenberg?
Elevation Pictures Sisters Brothers After Party, Saturday September 10th, Patria
If fashionably late is a thing, I’m certainly not following it. I arrive at the party as literally one of the first guests. That’s okay with me though because the food at this party is to die for, and I have enough time to make friends with the waiters. They circle over to me with each plate top-up. At 12:00 PM, the films stars, Riz Ahmed and John C. Reilly arrive. There’s a flurry of iPhone flashes and a general excitement in the air. Also in attendance, Keisha Castle-Hughes of Game of Thrones fame.