This is an archive of our 2003 Coverage of the Toronto International Film Festival

THE IMAGE FOR THE 2003 FEST

"Ooka chaka ooka chaka...."

Can't stop that feeling that this year's fest is going to be great. Sure, I often am filled at the beginning of the fest with warm thoughts of darkened theatres, great stories and sleepless nights. For some reason, this year just smells like it's going to be fun.

There are some pretty significant changes, particularly on the logistics front. For the last several years that I've had the priviledges accorded to those with accreditation, the press office has always been on the Bloor corridor between Yonge and Avenue Road. Now, shockingly, everything's been moved to the Delta Chelsea on Gerard and Bay. The orientation, in other words, has moved from East/West to North/South. Eerie.

Furthermore, 99% of press screenings are to take place in one location, the Varsity cinemas at Bay and Bloor. Days will go by without needing to go outside. Now, presumedly to cut down on the psycho schlepp of giant reels that the poor projectionists have traditionally been subjected to performing, press/industry screenings take place in the same cinema where the public screenings are to be. In other words, press screenings in Uptown 1! (that holds some 800 people... should be interesting to say the least...) Nah, just checked the schedule... doesn't happen. Alas...

Speaking of the Uptown, my beloved temple of cinema, this final authentic movie palace in Toronto, is set to close. That's Meh with a capital "M". The fact that Midnight Madness will close it out, however, fills me with a bit more happiness. Better than, say, The Lizzie McGuire Movie or something.

The schedule's as conflicted as always, with most films I want to see playing at the same time as every other film I want to see. I'll try not to miss this year's Whale Rider (never even heard of this audience fav. during last year's fest), but will try to miss, say, films about "memory and loss" if at all possible - code in the program guide for "booorrrring...." I'm pumped for Dogville for all the obvious reasons, and the MM ghoul sessions look particularly excellent. I think the standout programming this year looks to be Real to Reel. The guys and gals programming docs continually make me happy (Errol Morris!), and I'm looking forward to some great films again this year.

Off to the Chelsea and then a couple flicks on this opening day. Please check back daily as I try to fend off sleep and grammar issues when I get home after a full day of film gluttony.

Let the fest begin!!

Jason Gorber
Filmfest.ca / TorontoFilmfest.ca

Please note: if you are looking for the official site of the Toronto International Film Festival,
it can be found at bell.ca/filmfest. Silly of you to think this was it, no? Still, while you're here, enjoy the site! Just don't call my cell looking for ticket schedules please... :)