“I’ll never forget standing outside having a cigarette with Viggo Mortensen at around 1 a.m., when film critic Liam Lacey came stumbling down the stairs, crashed into Viggo, pushed himself back up and asked him, ‘Do you work out?'”
How do you prepare for TIFF? The pre-TIFF press screenings have all started, so I’m seeing about two films each day, trying to figure out what’s being talked about most and booking interviews with actors and directors. In the next few days, my fellow reporters and I will be divvying up the press conference responsibilities. Otherwise, I’m drinking plenty of water and making sure I get some electrolytes, too. Can never be too hydrated.
Where would we most likely find you during TIFF at 2PM? One of three places: Either on the mezzanine level of the Sutton Place hotel taking notes during a press conference and trying not to fall asleep; on the ground floor of the Sutton Place in the press room frantically trying to write and file a story; or in a third-floor suite at the Intercontinental Hotel interviewing some celebrity. If I’m not in any of these places, I’ve snuck off to see a film at the Varsity or Cumberland theatres, or I’m purchasing an over-priced sandwich down at the Holt Renfrew cafe.
What has been your most memorable TIFF party? Hmm, hard to say. On the one hand, it was pretty cool when this Arabian studio decided to fill the Windsor Arms hotel with sand, belly dancers, camels, shisha pipes and chocolate fountains. But on the other hand, I really liked the Alliance Atlantis dinner a couple years ago that was celebrating Cronenberg’s History of Violence — it was an intimate crowd of journalists, actors, Cronenberg and a few publicists; we had filet mignon and amazing swag bags. I’ll never forget standing outside having a cigarette with Viggo Mortensen at around 1 a.m., when film critic Liam Lacey came stumbling down the stairs, crashed into Viggo, pushed himself back up and asked him, “Do you work out?”
What are the three things you need during TIFF to survive? On a practical level: My tape recorder, notepad and a pen. But I need coffee, my bicycle and my press pass.
If you are looking for a moment of peace and quiet within the ten days – where do you go or what do you do? I like sneaking off to a movie, which ironically is something that rarely happens during the festival. But if I have a good hour or two, I’ll bike home and lie down and think of anything but the festival for a while.
Which celebrity run-in has been your favourite? Or had you the most awestruck? I really swooned when I interviewed Cillian Murphy, and he was so great and friendly and smart. But I was also pretty excited for Jake Gyllenhaal — we ended up talking about his hatred for cilantro; then he touched my leg and asked if I had a “rookie mark” from my bike chain, which I did, so then we got on the subject of bicycles. Ultimately, we talked very little about his movie, but I think he liked that. At the press conference later, he winked at me, and I did the worst thing possible: I gave him a thumbs-up. Straight out of Wayne’s World. So bad.
What has been the strangest interaction you’ve had during TIFF? If you want strange, you have to see press conference moderator Henri Behar in action. I can’t even begin to explain his weirdness.
Which film are you most looking forward to this year? Oh, there are too many! Usually, my favourite films of the festival are the ones I was least expecting to move me.
What’s your best advice for someone who’s never attended TIFF before? Avoid the huge galas, unless you really think the film is going to blow you away. Usually, they kind of suck. Just get tickets for a film that looks genuinely interesting, and enjoy the experience for what it is — there’s a lot of hype around the festival, and most of it is useless.
Best SWAG ever? I got a purse once that was pretty cool, but usually the swag is total crap.
You have a huge smile on your face at TIFF – what just happened? I shared a plate of greasy fries with Penelope Cruz (this actually happened; and she is lovely).
If you could pick the brain of one filmmaker – who would it be? Probably either David Lynch (I’d want a full deconstruction/justification of every bizarre element of his movies) or Alejandro Amenabar, because I normally love his films but Agora (which is at TIFF this year) is just horrific.
If you could grab a drink with one celeb – who would you choose? Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He’s an outstanding actor, shows a lot of promise as director, plays in a good band and just seems cool.
What’s the first thing you’ll want to do once the insanity is over? Put back a stiff drink and head to Sweden. (Seriously, it looks as though I’m off to Sweden for work the day after the festival ends.)