Where was the TIFF spirit last night?
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Was it all sucked into Maple Leaf Gardens where the One X One gala and its star cast of Matt Damon, Wyclef Jean and John Legend schmoozed anyone flush and philanthropic? Did the sight of the CTV building’s parking lot tent, party central for the fest’s opening weekend, sitting half dismantled knock a little wind out everyone’s social sails? Or was it simply the rain which works for Gene Kelly but equals nasty stiletto spills and wilted up ‘dos in party land?
Whatever the reason, the star stalkers out at Mongrel‘s Distillery District bash all looked a little starved for celebrity stimulation. The trippy Zeno screens which turned stills from some of Mongrel’s fest picks into a kaleidoscope of moving images had to suffice.
Up at the W Studio, the Film Lounge hosted its last party for Kate Beckinsale and Nothing but the Truth but, again, a photo pit full of weary shutterbugs looked bored with the turnout of sponsor suits and shooter girls.
The Park Hyatt’s Roof Lounge, which was buzz central last TIFF, continues to do a good share of A-list business. Last night’s Brothers Bloom after party saw Mark Ruffalo passing out on Rachel Weisz on a faux Eames sofa to spice up a photo op.
Up at Casa Loma, the drizzle turned into spit in time for Matt Dusk‘s performance at the Adoration after party. Scott Speedman looked Parkdale hipster hirsute in a burly beard, Joe Dinicol worked the room sans Jagger and writer/director Atom Egoyan was joined by other “action!” man Brian De Palma.
But my best film story of the night came from a Beck cab driver who told the tale of a boozy fest fare he picked up at Yonge and Bloor and asked if he could pay for his ride back to Brampton with the porno DVD he had stashed in his breast pocket.
Star sighting: Did The Secret Life of Bees star Jennifer Hudson heed our call to wear Canadian? She did indeed working a maroon satin Greta Constantine dress at Sunday’s Golf Rocks fundraiser. Also on Sunday night, singer Kreesha Turner, walking the DSquared2 fashion show red carpet, revealed to eTalk’s Tanya Kim that she’ll be showing off her pipes again at this year’s Fashion Cares fundraiser.
Media mention: Seems like George Clooney would rather drive a Honda than come to TIFF. Canada’s favourite web gossip Lainey revealed yesterday that the Burn After Reading star skipped his fest trip to film a commercial for the Japanese automaker in Milan.
