Twas the night before TIFF, and many a party monster was stirring. Up in Yorkville, the Four Seasons hosted the first-ever AMBI gala in support of the orgs eco initiatives. At the nucleus of the TIFF universe, inside the Bell Lightbox, revelers and moneyed patrons toasted the inaugural TIFF Soiree with none other than Academy Award winner Natalie Portman.
Tickets for the event ranged from $300 to a cool $650 and benefit TIFFs programming and camps throughout the year.
Staying true to her ambassadorship as Miss Dior, the actor donned a floral frock with 70s bell sleeves and a medieval-esque chain vest from the French design house. Yes, it was as mismatched as it sounds, but lets not dwell on that when Portman spoke about so many interesting subjects with the evenings host, Cameron Bailey.
Portman is clearly much more introverted than many A-list celebs, but conversed with great care and strong convictions. When Bailey asked about her many roles playing nubile young women that intimidate older male characters, Portman attributed the trend to a disturbing Hollywood trope that plays into male screenwriters fantasies.
They want a young woman who has intelligence and maturity beyond her years… but who still looks like a nubile young woman. Its a problem, she explained.
She also spoke about her first experience as a director. Her film, A Tale of Love and Darkness, premieres in North America at TIFF: I didnt have any problems as a female director because we filmed in Israel and there are many women in leadership positions. Women there are bossy. So I was lucky.
Portman also credited the lack of female directors in North America to a cultural problem, saying, Its not that way in France. However, shes cautiously optimistic about change: Its important more people are talking about this issue. The conversation is pushing studios to hire more women.
Of course, with a new Star Wars franchise on its way, Bailey had to ask her about playing Padme/Queen Amidala. Portman shared that it was one of the most difficult acting experiences of her career because large portions of the movies were filmed on green screens. Now I know if someones good in a green screen film, then theyre a really good actor. Its hard.
The highlight of the conversation was when Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky joined Portman on stage. The pair obviously admired one another, and at one point Aronofsky suggested Portman could be the next President of the United States. I wouid be, but Im not eligible, laughed Portman (she was born in Israel).
Aronofsky also revealed it was actually Portman who wrote Black Swans epic final last scene.
The intimate conversation was followed by a party at Luma that featured many bottles of wine, trays of sliders and tacos, and a string quartet.
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