Embracing the Chaos ... the 2003 Toronto Film Festival

I went to the Toronto Film Fest again this year.  Very ambitious -- 16 films.  Things I learned:

* "Short" films, are not short.  Oh, and don't forget to check the description for whether or not they are *silent*.  I can only handle so much silence.  Along those same lines, if there is a piece by Jim Jennings, maybe consider a different program.

* Bruno Dumont -- not a happy filmmaker.

* Piers Handling.  If he wrote the description for the film you are about to see, read it carefully.  Twice.  Maybe three or four times.  Then realise that what is described there will have little to do with the film you see.  Go to the film.  Be traumatized.  Dash out of the theatre.  Burst into tears and call your girlfriend on your cell phone.   Fun times -- live the dream!

* Make time in your film fest schedule for trips to the gym.  Otherwise you will be spending extra time at the massage therapist afterwards.

* If it's towards the end of the film festival and you just can't see another film and you still have a ticket, DON'T GO.  Instead, give your ticket to someone in the rush line -- preferably an elderly woman who is waiting alone.  It will make her day *and* yours.

* Take some carrots and celery or other vegetables into the theatre with you -- you can only eat so much popcorn.

* Piers Handling -- again, don't trust his write-ups.

I did see three films that I considered exceptional:

I did see three films that I considered exceptional:
- Pieces of April
- My Life without Me
- Le face cachee de la lune

Also good were:
- Dream Cuisine
- The Corporation
- The Bread Maker

I got a coupon book this year and entered the lottery -- this is totally the way to go.  Much better than standing in line buying single tickets.  All in all, a pretty good experience.  Except for "Twentynine Palms" and Piers Handling's evasive, coy and clearly unreliable description.