Final Thoughts

TIFF [2001]

In any year, the reality of covering 326 films (down from 328 last year), representing 54 countries, on nineteen possible screens in a mere ten days is would topple an army of even the most dedicated, not to mention sleepless, cinema addicts. Especially when running times ranged from one minute to more than five hours. Screenings get moved, prints show up late, running times get misprinted, Q & A sessions drag on until the house is forced to cut the power. I'm good for about 25 feature-length films max before my eyes starve for light and my blood pools. I attempted to cover a range of subjects and genres this year, but in the end, I deferred to my personal whims and tastes. My reviews reportage, much like the event it covers, is scattershot but should still (hopefully!) tantalize and inform those film lovers anxiously anticipating What's Next.

I don't share "Lantana" director Ray Lawrence's assertion that "the horrors of terrorism should serve as a lesson to Hollywood and filmmakers to stop making violent movies". Well-intended sentiment in these terrible times, perhaps, but who in their right mind could possibly equate such horrific mass murder with a "lesson"?

Blaming artists in an event devoted to artistic celebration in ALL forms is not only questionable, it's downright tacky and will only serve to fuel the rhetoric of those who insist on fingering the movies -- specifically Hollywood -- for all of the world's ills. But Hollywood is nothing if eager to please, and the general consensus is that in the wake of the attacks of 9/11, popular culture is going to play it safer-than-usual for a while, and film is/was/and always shall be a "populist" art form. Which means, I guess, more roman numerals on the marquees and fewer letter "R"s in the ratings. "Collateral Damage" will be put on the shelf, but what about non-mainstream fare like "Ichi The Killer" and its bold-faced defiance of "good taste", or "The Grey Zone" and Nelson's in-your-face realism? Extreme, non PG-friendly films have limited prospects in the commercial arena at the best of times, but without the venue of the festival circuit, such riskier subjects might not be seen again. Won't the calculated movement to censure material from within achieve the same goal as state-appointed censorship? A screen veteran far more eloquent than I summed it up best:

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"I think it is the mirror of the world. If we are gathered here because we have the same interests, because we have the same obsessions about the same thing, it is because we have the freedom to do that. When you live under the power of terror and segregation, you can't ever start a work of art." - Actress Jeanne Moreau

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[The Awards ]

- Robert L

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Features:September 11th The Festival Reacts The Lighter Side of TIFF 2001 Final Thoughts The Award Winners "Amélie..." Wallpaper