As the theatre lights fade to black and the crowds of star seekers in Yorkville disperse, it's time to bid farewell to TIFF '09. My first year at the festival has been one of the most intense and rewarding events I've ever covered.
I spent the past 10 days dashing from hotel to hotel for press conferences and interviews, watching amazing films and then having the opportunity to discuss them with the people who made them.
Running around town, I spotted celebrities in the most unexpected places, and chatted with journalists from around the world. The city just buzzed with excitement. There have been so many highlights that it's almost impossible to narrow it down but here are five that come to mind:
#5) Seeing Matt Damon at a press conference for "The Informant" ranks pretty high, but I have to give the spot to covering all day Sunday. I asked Drew Barrymore questions about the film, watched the live roller derby exhibition at Yonge and Dundas Square and photographed the red carpet event later that evening with the movie's stars, including Ellen Page. It was fun to see how the pros generate buzz not only for the movie, but for the emerging sport of roller derby
#4) The No. 4 spot has to go to Ricky Gervais. With the chance to attend an exclusive press conference for his film I learned he is as funny in person as the characters I so dearly love from "The Office" and "Extras." From the moment he walked in the room he was cracking jokes at how his co-stars were late and hearing his famous cackle had me in stitches the entire time. The film was also quite a delight, with the funniest take on a first date I've ever seen in a movie.
#3) No surprise here, is on my list. I've loved this man for years and seeing his gorgeous, witty self up close at a press conference is something I'll never forget. I really enjoyed his movie "Up in the Air," and found that the themes stayed with me long after I left the theatre. With deeper issues of job loss, the economy and making human connections, it definitely had a lot more substance than what I was expecting.
#2) Although there have been many films that have both entertained and moved me, ranks as my favourite. Getting a one on one interview with Rupert Friend, the charming young actor who portrays Prince Albert, was just icing on the cake. With such an incredible love story between Albert and Victoria (played by Emily Blunt), it made me wish we were back in the times where people courted through letters and not text messages.
#1) If you have been following our festival coverage at CTV.ca you'll already know my conversation with during the "Ondine" press conference is at the top of my list. Getting to talk to him about one of my favourite movies, "In Bruges," was just off the charts. Little did I know when I went to the Belgian city last November (and spent the whole time quoting lines from the movie, mind you) that I would get a chance to ask the film's star about it. Having him turn the question on me and ask details of my trip only completed the "fairytale."
