TIFF 2010 | L’homme qui voulait vivre sa vie (The Big Picture)‏

What could be better to start off the festival with than a beautiful French film – L’homme qui voulait vivre sa vie – that was not only screened for an actual audience for the very first time, but a piece that blew my mind away with everything a movie possibly could: the story (a European-style thriller), the direction, the breathtaking scenery, and last but not least the amazing acting by Romain Duris, who happened to be present at the screening along with the director, Éric Lartigau.

Yes, the whole gang were there at the theatre last night for both the introduction part and the post-screening Q&A session. Mr. Lartigau was extremely excited to have his “fucking great movie” (his words, not mine!) shown at the TIFF.

The movie starts with a baby crying and Beck’s brilliant music in the background. It’s an intense thriller which flawlessly potraits an exceptional photographer on the run. No more spoilers in case anyone is still waiting to see it!

Definitely happy with my choice to start the festival.

Overwhelmed

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed with all sorts of things – tiny and huge – happening around you from the time you open your eyes in early hours of the day till you close them again? Not to mention that the feeling is often haunting you in your dreams. This is when calm breathing should take place, together with an inner-voice reminding you to shut off that thought cycle and have you repeat over and over again: “hey, I’m healthy!”

Now, my marathon at this year’s TIFF is about to start this evening with two back-to-back films from the French cinema.

I’ll be back with more culture-related updates – hopefully soon!

…

“I do respect people’s faith, but I don’t respect their manipulation of that faith in order to create fear and control.”

— Javier Bardem

TIFF 2010 | Kick-Off

Here we are again…

Yes, it’s that time of the year – the 35th Toronto International Film Festival is kicking off today with a great deal of films worth watching from around the world.

The following ten days won’t be any different than previous years to me — my very own journey down the path of cinematic culture (!) continues, as I update my dear movie-loving readers with my TIFF experience and the films I am lucky enough to watch.

So stay tuned and be fabulous!

Two More Stops

“Sir, is this world for real?”,

the mentally disabled guy asked.

He laughed,

she laughed;

they giggled

and laughed.

I didn’t.

I closed my eyes

and pretended

to be sleeping.

Mr. Schnabel (Again!)

“Some people must go to extremes to get the world in balance for themselves. Some can’t bear bright lights, so wherever they go they search for the dark; they turn the lights down, anything to sustain some level of comfort.”

— Julian Schnabel

Julian Schnabel’s painting: Portrait of Andy Warhol, 1982

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“After all, things are what they are. A message is a message, plates are plates, men are men, and life is life.”

— Anna Karina

Mr. Schnabel

OK, I admit: I only knew him as the director of “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly”, the movie that amazingly touches my heart each of the several times I have watched it.

Last week at the members’ preview night of his exhibition at the AGO, “Julian Schnabel: Art and Film”, I discovered Mr. Schnabel’s main source of artistry – his paintings and installations.

His massive canvases and independent style are absolutely fascinating – the dazzling colors and the clever choice of subject behind each piece perfectly appealed to my modern-art taste. I now have even more respect than I ever had for the one and only Julian Schnabel. His creative mind and narrative imagination are what I often desire for myself.

P.S. “Julian Schnabel: Art and Film” at the AGO will be on until January 2, 2011.