The Glitz, the glamour, and the gaffs

By: Adam Grant

            On the surface, the Toronto International Film Festival is a brilliant way to showcase mainstream and independent artwork on a grand, glitzy platform.  However, the more and more media coverage you witness on this particular event, only proves that the festival is quickly becoming less and less about the films involved.

For one week every year, this is what Toronto has to deal with.  To say that the city is bothered by such madness would be a lie, since it’s a no-brainer that the annual arrival of such a festival can’t help but bring loads of money into the economy.  Hotels, restaurants and liquor stores – they’re all laughing their way to the bank. 

Though if you live outside the city in a small suburb watching people fall all over themselves when given 90 seconds with a celebrity, you can’t help but wonder why you’re hearing more about what a certain actor is drinking at the bar, or what shoes he/she is wearing, than their actual work. 

Needless to say those involved within each of this year’s 109 films being showcased are in town for one reason, and reason only – to sell their films and fondle the publicity machine that awaits them. 

As a result, actors, directors, producers, and whoever else decides to walk the red carpet, are willing to speak about anything, as long as the title of their movie is shown brightly beneath their name within whichever entertainment program they are speaking to.

What makes this so easy for the film types is the media’s willingness to partake in such silliness, because in this day in age, it’s almost more important who a network speaks with, as opposed to what they actually speak about.  Big name celebrities equal ratings – no one wants to hear from a D-list actor/actress.

On the other side of the red carpet, you have the photographers and paparazzi people looking to snap their way into celebrity life.  It’s understandable that they are just trying to make a buck, but have you ever witnessed a crowd of photogs looking for the right shot?  It’s like loading up a group of 3rd graders with a box of sugar each, locking them in a constricted space, and having them fight over the only toy in the room. 

While it’s understood that these celebrity interviewers and photographers are given instruction as to what their networks/publications want, as well as a handsome paycheque to go along with that, it’s still hard to understand why the films themselves aren’t necessarily the focus.

Designer dresses, diamond earrings, who is hooked up with whom, are all disposable stories that no one will remember.  That is why it is important for those covering such events as the Toronto International Film Festival to do it in a way that showcases the art, and not necessarily the vanity of it all.  After all, movies can change ones life, but only if they’re allowed to shine above the big named individuals involved.