I’ve always felt so fortunate to have the annual Toronto festival of films so accessible to me. I love film but don’t go as often as I’d like and I often don’t get to the films I’d like to see while they are in theatres. Other things seem to intrude. And the notion that they may be available for viewing at home on a screening service reduces my sense of urgency.
But for 10 days each September I am presented with an enormous menu of films that I may not see at any other time and it prods me from complacency and into action. This year I made a mistake – I assumed that the office opening day would be, as it always has, on Labour Day, so I was a week late in ordering my tickets. When I went to buy my tickets I discovered that the box office had been open for a week.
My list is chosen to include Canadian and foreign films that I’m unlikely to see on Toronto screens. I deliberately don’t include Hollywood films assuming that I will be able to see them during the year. My late decision narrowed my available choices. And like every year, I ended up seeing terrific films that I might not have chosen but am so glad I saw.
Thanks TIFF! For serendipity, always opening my eyes and often my heart.
