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TORONTO, CANADA—It was one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world, part of the “Big Five.” She was a wide-eyed journalist, hailing from a small indie publication. Can I make it any more obvious?
TIFF is taking over Toronto. She can’t help but be mesmerized. What more can I say?
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
I arrived in Ontario’s capital city unaware of what was waiting for me. While last year’s TIFF was left plagued by labor strikes, the festival is ready to redeem itself for its 49th edition. For cinephiles around the world, TIFF is a sacred name tossed around in conversations and revered across communities of film. TIFF is something I have long considered as an intangible myth I could witness from afar but never experience myself.
So what is it like when a dream you never thought possible comes true?
Reality doesn’t disappoint. Ironic, isn’t it?
I began my first day at TIFF at the red carpet premiere and screening of the docuseries, The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsals. Some of us are born tortured poets, others are simply known as The Tragically Hip. Dubbed by Ottawan darling Jay Baruchel as “The Beatles of Canada,” the most authentic Canadian band dazzled with its nostalgic charm.
Photo Credit: Nicholai Roska for Tangent Zine.
As the fan festivities kicked off and TIFF went into full swing, stands from partner companies like Ferrero Rocher, Beyond Meat, and Lavazza provided free samplers to festival goers and attendees. But the buzz of the evening wasn’t about the free drinks or any of the rest of free stuff being offered on King Street. It was the red carpet freshly rolled out for one male nurse turned supermodel turned evil competitive dodgeball player turned night time museum security guard.
While this member of the Frat Pack doesn’t hold any of those titles in real life, the actor-comedian-director-producer-screenwriter Ben Stiller arrived at the Roy Thomson Hall for the premiere of Nutcrackers ready to accept just one label: hilarious. Hordes of fans echoed his name, “BEN! BEN! BEN! BEN!” A crowded and sweaty photo pit braced for impact.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
He introduced himself to us like we were fellow members of his Parent Teacher Association. “Hey there, I’m Ben. Can we get a photo with the cast?” Ben insisted upon including his wife, nearly escaping from the blinding camera flashes without having taken a solo shot.
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
Ben left politely. “Alright, thank you guys!” He was met with confessions of love from the photo pit: “We love you Ben! Thank you for giving us Blue Steel!”
Photo Credit: Katareena Roska for Tangent Zine.
While Nutcrackers opened TIFF, it ended the day for me. The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal is slated to premiere on Prime Video sometime later this year. Nutcrackers has no expected release date just yet, but keep an eye for it decking the halls of theaters sometime soon.
TIFF is back in its full strength pumped with star power, so save your tears (and your Canadian references, which I’m quickly running out of). Catch you later, TIFF.
Margaret Qualley and 90s icon Demi Moore. Photo Credit: Nicholai Roska for Tangent Zine.
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