George Clooney, Jennifer Connelly and Ellen Page sightings have been reported, which means the 34th Toronto International Celebrity Festival is under way.
But last night at two early cocktail receptions toasting the film festival, guests reflected on TIFF's origins and what it represents today.
"We're getting larger and larger and maybe less accessible," said Myrna Daniels who, along with husband John, has been a supporter of the festival for 32 years. "Perhaps that's the price of success. … But all I can say is it's amazing what's happened. No one thought that it would ever survive. It's a testament to Toronto."
"Oh, it's a giggle now," said festival co-founder Henk van der Kolk, standing with Bill Marshall, also involved from day one. "And the nice thing is, they can't fire us."
Near a food station where Cornish hen was being served with porcini mushroom sauce and goat-cheese potatoes, long-time entertainment journalist George Anthony commented that Hollywood can't get enough of the festival now. "It's evolved from begging for films to very politely begging them to stop."
At Astral Media's Opening Night Gala reception, John Riley, Astral's president of television networks, had to be the bearer of bad news: Creation's stars Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany would not be able to join the party due to travel delays. So he held up their pictures … and then proceeding to rip Ms. Connelly's in two. "This is my former favourite actress," he quipped. "I promised my kids we would shake hands."
Meanwhile, as the smartly dressed crowd supped on smoked lamb loin and gnocchi with lemon mint salsa verde, sweet-pea ravioli with scallops and Parisian macaroons, Victor Loewy, chairman of Alliance Films, pointed out that every year offers its own Slumdog Millionaire . "It doesn't have to be the same size. What's important is that it's a crowd pleaser and it strikes a chord. And that it's sellable.
Guests such as Sarah MacLachlan, president of publisher House of Anansi, welcomed opening night film Creation 's ability to engage conversation. "I think that's what he would like it to do," she said of friend and screenwriter John Culley. "I think he's looking for that meaty content."
"I don't know if there is a debate," said Mr. Riley to me before the film. "The Theory of Evolution is a scientific theory. In some ways, I think it's not as well known as it should be. [If]it educates people and changes their perspective, I think that's a good thing."
And of course, what would an opening night be without remembering charismatic founder Dusty Cohl. "I started the Blue Jays the same year Dusty started the festival," recalled Paul Godfrey, former president and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays. "We would meet over breakfast and he would give me advice on certain things and I would give him advice. … My heart and thought s are always with him."
Amy Verner