Daily Riffs From TIFF - Day 2

Well, my friends, today will go down in history as one of the finest film festival days, yours truly has ever, had. For you see today I was 3 for 3.

But first, lets talk about the ayem. I didn't have a movie, before 3:00 today, and when I got downtown, I was a might peckish, for some grub. My cinema cohort, suggested that we try CAPLANSKY'S, newly ensconced at Bathurst and College. I was skeptical, as my previous deli doings with them, had been less than satisfactory, but decided to give their new venue, a try. Well, gang it was a glorious success. Those who know me, know that I love food and those who really know me, know that I love deli. Those who are my confidantes, know that my favourite deli item is KISHKA. For those of you who are uninitiated in the 'culture of kishka,' I guess the closest food item to it, I've been told, is HAGGIS (but, not quite). Anyways, kishka comes from a private part of the cow (no, not that one). I consider my self quite the kishka aficionado and this, was damn good kishka. It had a wonderful, smoked meat gravy. So, the kishka, combined with a smoked- meat sandwich and world-class fries, made for a sumptuous meal.

But I digest...on to the films.

My first film today, and for those counting, this was my third film altogether, was the one chosen as TIFF's opening night gala: JON AMIEL'S movie, CREATION, starring, PAUL BETTANY and JENNIFER CONNELLY. Now Amiel had directed one of my favourite mini-series, of all time - THE SINGING DETECTIVE, written by the late, great DENNIS POTTER. This movie is concerned with CHARLES DARWIN (played by BETTANY, in an Oscar-worthy performance), and the elements that went into his writing his landmark tome: 'The Origin of the Species. The movie is beautifully shot, and features great performances by non-actors (especially by MARTHA WEST, as his late daughter), and various animals. The movie had great buzz, from its gala appearance last-night and the theatre, was filled to the rafters. Now, admittedly, the film was a little slow and my Caplansky's cohort and I, did nod off a little. However, its cumulative power was incredible and I was moved to tears. When I asked the first question, during the Q&A, with the director, I was almost, too-choked up to speak. I did manage to tell the director, how much I admired DETECTIVE, and his current film. I also loved the music and highly-recommend this film.

Now, film #2, for the day was truly something special indeed. It was also, a true highlight of my TIFF, experience. The movie was a documentary, a genre both myself and my wife enjoy very much, and we have seen some fine ones over the years in Toronto. The movie was called THE MOST DANGEROUS MAN IN AMERICA: DANIEL ELLSBERG AND THE PENTAGON PAPERS, from co-directors JUDITH EHRLICH and RICK GOLDSMITH. Ellsberg, had worked the Pentagon and had been in Vietnam, as a soldier. He became gradually, disillusioned over time with the war and over-time gained access to information at the Pentagon, about how various presidential administrations, had deceived the American people, about their involvement in the Vietnam war. Ellsberg made copies of these so-called 'pentagon papers,' (which came to over 7,000 pages), and leaked them to the New York Times. For doing this, he became a man hunted by the FBI, and ended-up on Richard Nixon's fabled, 'enemies list.' We hear Nixon on his White House tapes, castigating Ellsberg and the press. The U.S. government tried to block The Times publication, of the papers, but once it was picked-up by other newpapapers, with Ellsberg's instigation, they were unable to stop the truth. Ellsberg himself, who took a big chance my leaking this document, was tried and acquitted and became a prime anti-Nam advocate. When Nixon then tried to have his "plumbers," break into Ellsberg's psychiatrist to retrieve some confidential documents as well, as the Watergate hotel, the seeds of the President's destruction were planted. The archival footage this film contained was staggering, especially, the footage of Vietnamese kids and the film played out like a great thriller. However, the piece-de -resistance was still to come. When the directors came back for the inevitable Q&A, they introduced Daniel Ellsberg and his beloved wife of many years, Patricia, to thunderous applause and a well-deserved standing ovation. I was honoured to ask the first question. I commented what an extraordinary and very-engrossing movie they had made. I told Ellsberg, that he was my new "hero" and he was very touched, I had also noticed the name of one of my favourite filmmakers, Errol Morris, amidst the credits and I asked the Filmmakers if they had seen THE FOG OF WAR. In this phenomenol film, the late ROBERT MCNAMARA, became the first government official to admit that going into Vietnam was "wrong." The female half of the docu-team said she had seen the film and that she used it in the documentary film course, she taught. The best was yet to come I got to ask Ellsberg, as the film crowd dispersed how it felt to have been able to bring down a president, he said it felt, pretty good. We also met his lovely wife and I said to her, that behind every great man is a" great," woman. Ellsberg signed my film-book which I now cherish and he and my wife seemed to get along great and he gave her a hug, which thrilled her. I commented how it's wonderful how involved Ellsberg is in politics (his wife noted he had been arrested for over 70 acts of civil-disobedience,) - Thoreau, would be proud. It was very appropriate to see this film on September 11th. It was all-in-all, an amazing experience. I told Mr. Ellsberg I would plug this movie on my blog and so I have.

My last film was a Canuck flick - I do like to support the home industry too. The movie was called, SUCK directed and starring ROB STEFANIUK, who had directed and starred
in PHIL THE ALIEN, a few years ago. SUCK, was a blast, as it told the story of a rock-band, who gained and notoriety, by being bit by vampires. The best part were the cameos: ALICE COOPER, CAROLE POPE, IGGY POP, HENRY ROLLINS, MOBY and local fave, ALEX LIFESON. The cast was eclectic to say the least: JESSICA PARE DAVE FOLEY and MALCOLM MCDOWELL. It was smart, it was funny and it was "Canadian," - of all things.

Well, that was my amazing day. tomorrow more films and wonderful experiences, at TIFF 2009.

T.T.F.N.