…

“We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”

— John Keating (Robin Williams) in Dead Poets Society (1989)

TIFF ’09 | Leaves of Grass

Mmm… Edward Norton is among actors who can easily make me in love with his roles. In “Leaves of Grass“, an indie movie producted in the US, he plays in two roles as twin brothers who appear to dwell in two completely different universes, but at the same time each choose their own ‘language’ to talk about the same subjects in life.

A great story with a beautiful script.

S

TIFF ’09 | Heiran

“Heiran” was my first Iranian film at the TIFF, which made me really proud. A pure yet sad story about a simple love. The director of “Heiran”, Shalizeh Arefpour, who was also present, showcased a love story between an Iranian teenage girl and an Afghan boy and the consequences thereafter. Another great performance by Baran Kosari, my favorite Iranian actress in her generation and of course the one and only Mr. Khosrow Shakibai (R.I.P.) who was performing his last role and an absolutely brilliant one.

S

TIFF ’09 | Partir

Déjà vu. Another French movie with Kristin Scott Thomas being actually present again at the same venue, the lovely Winter Garden Theatre. This time, she passed right in front of us in the chicest black dress — a close brush with celebrity, you might say! Last year, I was so thrilled to see her, one of my favorite artists in the movie industry, at the screening of “Il y a longtemps que je t’aime“, which I consider as one of my all-time favorite movies. This year, she appeared again at the screening of “Partir” by director Catherine Corsini.

In “Partir”, Kristin plays the passionate character as mother of two, who falls in love in a dramatic fashion. At times, you may consider her as a cruel mother and a cheating wife, but at the same time, you wish you had the guts she had and to sacrifice everything to make her heart happy.

Once again, Kristin stole the whole movie with her amazing acting. Being bilingual, she mentioned during the Q&A session that she loves working in movies based where she actually lives and luckily has the advantage of being able to accept roles in both English and French. She is probably one of the coolest and the most confident people I have seen, and not just among actresses. She is just so comfortable in her own skin behind and in front of the camera.

What a great TIFF experience!

S

…

“I find I’m so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it is the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.”

Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding (Morgan Freeman) in The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

TIFF ’09 | Chloe

“Chloe“, by the famous Canadian director Atom Egoyan, was the second movie on my list at the TIFF this year. In fact, it was the gala night as well as the world premiere, so I had the privilege to see (though not meet) my favorite redhead, actress Julianne Moore, who sported a beautiful emerald-colored dress on the red carpet. Among the cast and crew were also Mr. Egoyan who made a brief introduction to the film and Amanda Seyfried, who plays the character of Chloe. Too bad Liam Neeson couldn’t make it!

The movie showcases many feelings which can indeed happen in anyone’s life. Suspicion and desire; jealousy and seduction; cheating and love. Reminded me somewhat of another movie in a similar genre, “Fatal Attraction”, which I watched in my teenage years.

“Chloe” was shot in the beautiful city of Toronto (aha!), showing famous landmarks, streets, hotels and cafés. At times I found it distracting to watch a movie in the city you know like the back of your hand.

I wouldn’t necessarily call “Chloe” ‘festival material’, but a great Hollywood suspense-drama.

S