TIFF Day 6 and CATS

trying to keep my toes from burning while waiting in line...

Where do I begin? Today being the hottest day of the summer? Paul Haggis’ Third Person blowing my mind? Seeing Ma-Anne Dionisio in Cats? Or trying to figure out who I saw leaving the stage door at Ryerson Theatre this aft?

It was probably the starting story on every news show tonight – temperatures in the 30s, feeling like 40 degrees Celsius today. WOW. Unbearably hot when you are standing in line for a TIFF film midday in the blaring sun. Of course, I was “lucky” enough to stand in the only part of the line that WASN’T in the shade…And WHO, just WHO are these people at TIFF this year who are in line an HOUR before the film starts? Remember the day when you could get in line a half hour before and that was sufficient?

Let’s get to it – London Ontario’s very own Paul Haggis brought us Crash at TIFF in 2004…well, this year he brings us Third Person. And remember how Crash had multiple storylines that came crashing together? Third Person has multiple storylines also…but ummm…my mind is still blown. I don’t understand. So when the film comes out in wide release, can you all go see it so we can discuss?

Paul Haggis in white, Adrian Brody on right

Paul was at today’s screening to introduce the film. He also said he wasn’t going to answer any of our questions during the Q&A. This is true. He wants us to fight about the film, to conjure up discussion and to get us to really think about it. He gave us “clues” at the end of the film…half of which I totally missed (reason to definitely see the film again).  It is a love story he says, and love is something that must be experienced to be understood… He also says that art is a confession…and that this film is as close to being autobiographical as anything he’s done.

Bottom line. Third person is amazing. Go see it. (PS If you can't wait til wide-release, you can RUSH the film on Friday at 845pm at Lightbox) And PS the cast is pretty amazing: Adrian Brody, Liam Neeson, James Franco, Mila Kunis Olivia Wilde, Maria Bello, Kim Basinger and Moran Atias!

Ma-Anne, Me, Mom, and Bro

And yes, in the midst of TIFF13, I go see Cats. It’s playing at Toronto’s Panasonic Theatre and one of our family friends, Ma-Anne Dionisio is starring as Grizzabella. This was my first time seeing Cats, and man, was I confused. But the music and dancing is great! And hey, Ma-Anne’s 13 minutes on stage is well worth it.  If you’ve seen Cats, can you explain???

Lastly – I saw a small group of people waiting outside the stage door of Ryerson Theatre this aft…so I snapped a photo of this guy – I have no idea who he is…anyone? Anyone??? He's certainly a cutie!

He stars in Blood Ties if that helps.

TIFF13 Rundown so far...

1.     Third Person – True love must be experienced to be understood.

2.     Exit Marrakech – wanderlust, relationships, and coming of age in Morocco

3.     Ilo Ilo – A nanny from the Philippines changes home relationships in Singapore