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TORONTO, CANADA—They say to never meet your heroes, so instead I photographed mine.
It was a rainy day in Toronto. Gloomy. Dreary. More wet than my camera and I would like.
Still, the show must go on.
This fact may or may not be so widely known, but the people of the press never know what their day will look like. For the first red carpet of the day, I had some fun getting into mischief with a god.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
But in stark contrast to the devilish Loki, Tom Hiddleston was nothing short of a classic gentlemen. Reuniting with some of his former co-stars, the debonaire Hiddleston appeared with an effervescent Karen Gillan and charming Chiwetel Ejiofor for the world premiere of The Life of Chuck. Three members of the Marvel Bunch count as a reunion, right?
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
Surprising —or should I say, scaring—fans on the carpet was none other than the King of Horror. Literary legend, Stephen King, appeared fearless and undaunted by the shrieks of a block full of fans. The Life of Chuck was adapted by director and writer Mike Flanagan from one of King’s novellas published in his 2020 collection If It Bleeds.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
As I waited in the photo pit for the premiere of A24’s We Live in Time, Matthew Lillard appeared in a truly terrifying Scream-esque plot twist. Like, zoinks, Matthew. I’m no Gale Weathers, so he was too quick for my camera.
Photo Credit: Nicholai Rhiz for Tangent Zine.
The rain returned in the form of a soft drizzle, nighttime creeping in and setting the scene for some stars to shine. First to arrive was director John Crowley and his lovely wife, one real-life couple setting an example for an on-screen romance.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
Andrew Garfield entered to an immediate roar from the crowd, startled and apparently forgetting he was Andrew Garfield. Fans called out for Spider-Man, and there truly was something superhuman about his presence.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
As Garfield rushed into the theater, I did what I always do and thanked the subject I photographed. Whether or not the people I photograph acknowledge me is never my goal, I was just raised by Asian parents.
“Thank you, Andrew!”
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
Garfield whipped his head around, searching for the shaky voice he just heard. His eyes met with mine, having found the source. He slightly bowed, nearly curtsied, and adjusted the lapel of his suit.
“Thank you very much.”
My heart skipped a beat and Garfield was gone.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
Before I had the chance to faint and swoon, Florence Pugh stunned a sea of fans in a strapless and flowing baby pink dress. She stepped out, camera-ready and greeting fans with an ineffable glow. She is beauty. She is grace. She’s Florence Pugh.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
Propelling the night to cosmic levels of extravagance was the Rocket Man himself. If I was dreaming, I didn’t want to be woken up. Capping off Tangent's third red carpet of the evening, I felt like I was walking on air. Three’s a pretty magic number. I’m sure Andrew agrees.
Elton John arrived on the carpet via golf cart sporting shades, a set of pearls, and a maroon suit. I hope you don’t mind, EJ, that I put down in words how wonderful life is right now.
It’s a little bit funny, this feeling inside. Call it nerves, butterflies, maybe even delusion. One day, you’re dreaming about your heroes. The next, you’re photographing them. Is this the circle of life Elton talked about?
One PR agent at TIFF answered my question. “It’s just showbiz, baby.”
Photo Credit: Nicholai Rhiz for Tangent Zine. Bottom right photo of Florence Pugh shot by Katareena Roska.
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