#45 - T.I.F.F.: Yoko Ono at The U.S. vs. John Lennon Premiere

I am probably repeating myself here, but this year's Toronto International Film Festival was chock full of pleasant surprises.

We had arrived relatively late for lining up to see the premiere of The U.S. vs. John Lennon. So we were at the tail end of a line that wrapped around a huge city block.



Such lines are no cause for worry at the Film Festival. We were going to be seated at the Ryerson Theater which is on a college campus. The seats are not the most comfortable, but this screening would provide plenty of balcony space which is prime spot to view movies here... and also about the last place that most audience members go for seats.

As we were the last of the group to herd into the theater we had the incredible joy of seeing Yoko Ono on the red carpet who would be present for the premiere of this refreshing documentary about her husband's commitment to peace.

Here's a picture that Jerry was able to nab as folks were supposed to keep walking and not stop to see Yoko san, so it is a tad blurry:

I am sorry but the photo will have to go up at another time. I am having a problem with Blogger today. :(

More surprises in store after we were seated.

Michael Moore was a guest to the screening and we spotted him before he was introduced to the audience. Jerry (my hubby) got a little too excited (being a HUGE Michael Moore fan) and yelled out "Hey Michael!" from the balcony. At which point the whole theater got dead quiet for a brief pause. Michael Moore stood up and turned around waving at the two of us to resounding applause from the audience. Jerry happily waved back as I tried to sink deeply into my seat turning three sheets of red.


Viewing this documentary with John Lennon's widow in the audience was a shocking experience.

I mean you can view these types of biographical work with a detachment. But, having Yoko Ono present for this screening... I felt the pain as never before.

The interviews offer fresh insights into John and Yoko's advocacy for peace. They address some of the very criticisms that I had held about how they were going about drawing attention to peace activism.

I just never really thought about why they did "bed peace" or "hair peace" or many of their other approaches.

But, seeing them on film as the couple they were and also as strong individuals, the answer became quite apparent.

They are artists, and art is their voice of expression. How could we expect them to do anything else?

To truly "get" Yoko Ono, I think you have to experience her art in person.

I had the pleasure of visiting one of her exhibitions in Toronto about four years ago... and the "Aha" moment came across loud and clear.

She touches on that facet of life that we often miss... that life is supposed to be fun.

ENJOY.

Humor is a gift from the Divine... embrace it.

And I can see the appeal between her and John Lennon.

He had the most incredibly sharp sense of humor, and his mind was so unique that no one has filled the space that he left behind when he was killed.

Among the interesting interviews you will find in this documentary are clips with G. Gordon Liddy, and George McGovern singing "Give Peace a Chance" a cappella.

You should give this film a chance.

I left feeling inspired and primed to find ways to be a better person... to bloom right where I have been planted.

Here is a link to the Film Festival Information about this film:

Toronto International Film Festival

ENJOY!

POSTSCRIPT: As we were making a mad dash to our next film screening we stumbled across a pile up of security. Lo and behold, Yoko Ono and Michael Moore were sneaking out the back of the theater so we had the chance to see them up close and personal.

Yoko Ono is incredibly beautiful close up. She truly is, and she was so gracious as people reached out to her requesting autographs or a handshake. I found her composure overwhelming considering the circumstances of her life.

Immediately following was Michael Moore (whom I will write about more in another entry). But, it is important to note that we discovered that Michael Moore is actually an incredibly shy person. This was evident as he approached the small gathering that had lined up at the exit. He did shake Jerry's hand, but he did not speak to the crowd.

There are many reasons for this which, once again will be explained when I write about an Evening with Michael Moore.

#44 - T.I.F.F. : Confetti

Jerry & Confetti Director, Ms. Debbie Isitt

WHAT A HOOT!

CONFETTI is absolutely hilarious and well worth a look see.

You can read the synopsis via the links at the end of this entry to get more film details.

This was the last film of our trip, but I wanted to put the word out quickly because Confetti opens in US theaters this Friday, September 15th.

There was a Q&A after the screening of Confetti at the Paramount theater.

Director, Debbie Isitt, answered audience questions about the making of her second feature film.

Here's the Scoop:

The whole film is IMPROV! No script. The actors were given detailed relationship backgrounds and information to develop character. Other than that, this movie was filmed in real time (6 weeks) the same length of time in which the story takes place.

Casting took six months... which was longer than the actual filming. And the cast is perfect.

The couple who played the wedding planners for Confetti have actually started their own wedding planning business.

One of the featured couples of the film are nudists, or more aptly termed "naturists".

Yes, they perform in the buff for the film.

Ms. Isitt reported that in order to be fair to her poor cast doing the naturist scenes in the nude, all of those scenes were directed with her in the buff as well!

There are musical numbers in the finale, and surprisingly... no professional dancers were used. You'll have to see the film for yourself to find out why this is such a surprise.

Here's a clue though... think Busby Berkeley.

One of the delights of the Toronto International Film Festival is that the makers of the film are accessible to the general public. This is one of the few major film festivals that allows such contact.

We had the opportunity to meet briefly with director Debbie Isitt.

She is quite friendly and gracious. She was interested in the fact that I have been a church musician for hundreds of weddings. Jerry and I told her about the "Phantom of the Opera" wedding that we sang a duet for.

Chuckle, chuckle and back into the huge crowd.

If you enjoy Christopher Guest's mockumentaries, this movie is definitely going to be a favorite... just as long as you don't mind seeing folks (normal everyday run of the mill folks) in the nude.

ENJOY!



Read more about Confetti here: http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2006/films_schedules/films_description.asp?id=81

Opens in US cinemas this Friday, September 15th:
http://movies.aol.com/movie/confetti/23379/main?date=20060912&uid=5532

#43 - Hello From the Toronto International Film Festival!

Loretta & Jerry hanging out at the Friar & Firkin after Hula Girls at the Paramount


Hello Everyone!

I'm sitting in my fuzzy clothes trying to rest up (and warm up) after a spectacular three day vacation to the Toronto International Film Festival.

Jerry and I agree that this has been the BEST film festival experience we have had to date. Every film was either a world premiere and/or featured the director/cast/writers.

Lots of pictures and lots of fun.

Hang around for more information.




OFFICIAL SITE : http://www.e.bell.ca/filmfest/2006/home/default.asp