For many seasoned film critics, the Toronto International Film Festival is the busiest, most stressful time of year. But Im not a film critic. Im just a girl who loves movies and the odd star sighting. For me, TIFF is amazing and exciting, but its also chaotic, confusing and terribly difficult to go to. In fact, when I moved to Toronto last year around the same time as TIFF 2015, I couldnt get tickets to any of the films I wanted to see after queuing online for an hour.
But this year, I have connections, namely media accreditation. So Im putting that accreditation to good use and transporting you to the wacky world of TIFF. Ive always wanted to know what a press conference with box-office stars is like and how you get into TIFF parties. Whats the deal with Festival Street, and whats worth going to?
This is My First TIFF diary.
Ive had many visions of what a TIFF party would be like: champagne and hors doeuvres passed around a bustling room filled with beautiful-looking people. Hollywood celebrities would be mingling in the crowd, sharing an anecdote about their dog or speaking uninhibitedly about what working with so-and-so is really like. In one vision, Im in deep conversation with Leonardo DiCaprio, and then Ryan Gosling walks up and flashes a mischievous smile. We all laugh. Its the best night ever.
After attending my first TIFF party last week, I can tell you that nothing about it is like this dreamy scenario at all. Actually, its pretty much the opposite, and its not just because Leo and the Goz werent there. But first let me tell you how I got into one.
TIFF parties arent for regular folks. You cant just buy tickets to one. You have to be invited. And unless youre somebody semi-famous or a person who works in the film industry, its nearly impossible to get invited unless youre press. What they wont tell you, however, is that its no fun being press at these things because you dont know anyone at the party, and journalists are some of the most awkward people when it comes to being cool and schmoozing.
Thanks to my TIFF media accreditation, I was able to get into the party for Free Fire last week. Thats Ben Wheatleys film starring Brie Larson and Armie Hammer. At TIFF, its part of the Midnight Madness programming, and it had its premiere on September 8.
Prior to the midnight screening, a party was held at Early Mercy, a King West club Ive never been inside but have noticed many times while riding the 504 streetcar. The glow of the nearby Pizza Pizzas neon orange sign illuminates Early Mercys vine-covered patio.
I was warned by a few TIFF party veterans that the stars never show up early. They actually dont drop by until near the end, so I made sure I was fashionably late to the shindig. The room was still relatively empty when I got there, but it filled up quickly. Similar to my dreams, there were indeed hors doeuvres things like crab cakes, sliders and shrimp on a stick. I asked one server what unidentifiable bite she was offering on a tray.
Its baked brie, she said with a slight laugh.
Baked brie for Brie Larson, I thought, and I popped the warm, gooey morsel into my mouth.
The other bonus of these parties is its an opportunity to drink lots and lots of booze for free. The servers make sure youre never without a cocktail, and they bring you another before you get to the bottom of the one youre holding. TIFF parties are usually sponsored by liquor brands (the Free Fire event was hosted by Bulleit bourbon and CIROC) and there were pre-made cocktails featuring each brand: the berry and bubbly Lights! Camera! Action and a minty bourbon ice-tea called The Directors Cut.
So there I stood mostly alone drinking movie-themed cocktails and eating baked brie as a DJ played hits from the 1970s like Hearts Crazy On You. Every 20 minutes or so, Id do a lap around the room. On one side where there were VIP booths, tables displayed bottles of CIROC with a sign that read Reserved for Brie Larson.
The crowd was one of the more surprising things. There was a mix of guys who looked identical, wearing similar glasses and carrying canvas messenger bags, and women dressed in cocktail dresses who likely worked in film-industry marketing. Im sure its a fun crowd for some, but nobody really talked to me. If you get a chance to go to a TIFF party and you’re able to bring a friend, I recommend it.
With only 30 minutes left, I was about to throw in the towel when I spotted Brie Larson across the room. I stealthy maneuvered my way through the crowd and planted myself casually, but undoubtedly obviously, next to a pole. Larson was wearing a backless, multi-coloured floor-length gown. She looked as glamorous and movie star-like as she appeared at the Oscars earlier this year. She was also surrounded by bodyguards.
You could feel the energy of the room shifting towards Larson as more people noticed her. She, on the other hand, barely seemed to notice anyone else. Her attention was drawn to a man she was talking with. At one point, someone gave her a bourbon cocktail and she took a tiny sip from it.
Anyone who tried to take a photo (or took out their phone in preparation of taking a photo) of Larson was immediately warned by one of her handlers.
Dont even think about it, a woman said to me as I peered into the rectangle glow of my iPhone. I sent a Tweet, Brie Larson is at the party! And put my phone away.
Minutes later, Larsons bodyguards led her towards the exit. Was she already done? That was it? But she didnt even sit at her reserved table with bottles of CIROC!
I followed them outside, where Larson joined Wheatley, Hammer and other members of the Free Fire cast I didnt recognize. They stood on a red carpet and posed for official photographs. TIFF fans standing outside on Brant Street cheered and called Larsons name. It was then I was able to sneak in a photo of my own.
I left shortly afterwards and took a cab home.
Were you at a TIFF party? the driver asked me.
Yes, I replied.
Did you meet a celebrity? he continued.
Brie Larson was there, I offered.
You mean, Oscar winner Brie Larson?
Thats the one.
Get more TIFF 2016 here.
michelled@nowtoronto.com | @michdas
