Now in its 39th year, TIFF ’14 kicked-off with an Opening Night Gala at none other than TIFF BELL LIGHTBOX. Ringing-in the celebrations was Acting Icon Al Pacino who did a Q&A with George Stroumboulopoulos, discussing everything from his childhood to what he looks for in a project now. The Godfather Star says without ever a doubt he always knew he would be a Movie Star, encouraged by a Grade School Teacher who noted to his Grandmother his talent at a young age. “I feel like I am doing Films I feel are reflective of where I am in my life.”, states Pacino.
The New York-born-Los Angeles Transplant is at TIFF ’14 with two new Films, The Humbling and Manglehorn. Arriving on the Red Carpet tonight with his Girlfriend Lucia Sola, Pacino admits the former is subject close to him. The Film is about a suicidal Actor and a younger Woman’s sexual relationship. “Manglehorn challenged me to do something different”, he says about the other Drama which seems him starring as a Locksmith in a small town, never quite getting over the love of his life.
The Star got candid about his childhood and relationship with his estranged Father whom had married five times. Although he didn’t get to know his Father Sal well as a Child, he recalls distinctly understanding what it felt like for the first time feeling his Father’s spirit covering him after his death. He remembers feeling so moved that he had been stopped in his tracks.
In addition, an Auction was held for the charitable Organization afterward, one prize including a shadowing opportunity with TIFF‘s Chief Executive Officer Piers Handling. Among those ringing-in the festivities tonight were a Who’s-Who of Canadian Talent including Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy), Sarah Gadon (Maps to the Stars), Gabriel Macht (Suits), Don McKellar (Sensitive Skin), Colm Feore (The Borgias), Eric Johnson (Rookie Blue), Gregory Smith (Rookie Blue) and Newlyweds Zachary Levi (Chuck) and Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue); Peregrym looked dazzling head-to-toe in Intermix.
TIFF ’14 has finally arrived, running Thursday, September 4, 2014 through Sunday September 14, 2014!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Although his introduction to North Americans in 2001’s Glitter wasn’t such a fair start (even though I saw it 13 times!), Max Beesley has returned to the same City that Film was made, Toronto. A bona fide Musician and Actor, Beesley has made a name for himself on British Television on popular series such as BBC‘s Hotel Babylon, Sky1‘s Mad Dogs and now USA Network‘s acclaimed Suits.
The Actor who is based now out of Los Angeles, only recently was cast in the upcoming third season of Suits as Stephen Huntley and after a couple weeks of work, he returned back home this past weekend for some rest and relaxation. Beesley arrived back at his Hotel to stop for Photos with a few Fans and was amazingly nice, multitasking a goodbye to his Driver with some Autographs. “Who else is staying here? Surely you can’t be waiting just for The Beesley!”, he says humbly. Uh, actually we were. Noticing how cold it got in the City since he left last week, the massive Manchester United Fan himself rushed back in quickly, telling us to stay warm.
See our Snap:
Suits continues to film around Toronto till the end of October. Season Three premieres Tuesday, July 16, 2013.
(Photo credit: BBC/Mr. Will Wong)
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