#TIFF15: “BEEBA BOYS”

Review by George Kozera for Mr. Will Wong

Touted as the first gangster movie directed by a woman in 40 years, BEEBA BOYS, from acclaimed, Oscar-nominated Deepa Metha, mixes guns, bhangra beats, cocaine, interracial romance and traditional family values with brutal violence and culture clashes. Set in Vancouver, it tells the story of Indo-Canadian, Jeet Johar (played by Bollywood star Randeep Hooda) and his gang of foul-mouth, outrageously-flashy and colourfully-dressed frat boyish friends who want to take over the drug and arms scene. At face value, other than the intense Jeet, they could be mistaken for a motley crew of misfits, but no one should ever cross their way.

While in prison waiting to be acquitted for murder, Jeet meets Nep (a multi-layered performance from Toronto based actor Ali Momen) and asks him to join his gang as they plot to take over the turf of a respected old school businessman. At his murder trial, Jeet cruises and ultimately winds up with a pretty Polish manicurist. To have a white, preferably blonde, girlfriend gives male Indo-Canadian gangsters status; just another trophy and possession as important as the latest BMW or Rolex.

Metha’s mastery with the camera and exquisite eye for detail is all there to see on screen. Sadly, BEEBA BOYS fails to make the mark on many levels due to a script lacking originality. The screenplay is unable to make it out the shadows of SCARFACE, the F-Bombs and pop culture chats between the gangsters echo PULP FICTION.  There is a plot twist near the end, so ridiculously contrived, it elicits groans from this audience member. Despite a brilliant cameo performance from a manbunned Paul Gross and a stellar job by Ali Momen, BEEBA BOYS regretfully is not Deepa Metha’s finest moment.

Mongrel Media release BEEBA BOYS, screening at TIFF ’15:
Sun Sep 13 6:30 PM
ROY THOMSON HALL

Mon Sep 14 2:30 PM
SCOTIABANK 1

#TIFF13: MAISON BIRKS & TELEFILM CANADA’S DIAMOND TRIBUTE TO THE YEAR’S WOMEN IN FILM

Honouring some of the most significant Females in Canadian Film, Telefilm Canada and Maison Birks honoured ten Women Actors and Directors at their Flagship Toronto Store today at the first ever Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film.  The Event was timed while all eyes are on Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival.

Selected by a Panel of Journalists who cover the Arts, Cultural and Entertainment fields, an immensely-talented group of Canadian Women were awarded for their achievement and talent, recognition from peers and visibility they have brought Canada.  Drawing a huge crowd to Bay x Bloor despite the threat of rain, Fans were ready in a designated FanZone allowing them an opportunity to connect with the Who’s Who of Film and Television in Canada.

This year’s Honourees include:

Directors: Louise Archambault, Deepa Mehta, Alanis Obomsawin, Sarah Polley and Chloé Robichaud

Actresses: Évelyne Brochu, Geneviève Bujold, Sarah Gadon, Jessica Paré and Alison Pill

The Event being fully at capacity, Archambault, Mehta, Obomsawin, Robinchaud and Brochu were all in attendance today. Gadon‘s Mother accepted her Award in her absence.

Among those in attendance this year were several familiar Canadian faces including the likes of Kelly Rowan, Anthony Lemke, Katie Boland, Aaron Abrams, Kristin Booth, Rob Stewart, Cynthia Preston, Atom Egoyan, Paul Haggis, Liane Balaban, Michael Seater and several more.  TIFF Rising Stars, Cara Gee and Johnathan Sousa also came out to celebrate.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#TIFF13: ENTER TO WIN ACCESS TO THE BIRKS DIAMOND TRIBUTE TO THE YEAR’S WOMEN IN FILM

Mr. Will Wong, Telefilm Canada and Touchwood PR want to give Readers a taste of the Red Carpet Experience at one of the most important Events to fall during TIFF ’13, the Birks Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film. The ultra-exclusive Event honours Ten Women in Canadian Film including Actors and Directors. Among those being honoured are the likes of Sarah Polley, Sarah Gadon, Deepa Mehta, Jessica Paré, Allison Pill, Geneviève Bujold and more!

When: September 11, 2013 at 4:00 PM
Where: Toronto Birks Store (55 Bloor Street W. – Manulife Centre)
There  will be a FanZone set-up for Fans to get up close and person with the Stars!  There will be several in attendance in addition to this year’s Honourees.

To enter to win Tickets, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook. Share this Post on Facebook and double your chances or Re-Tweet the below:

http://www.mrwillwong.com/birks @MRWILLW wants us to #win access to the @MAISONBIRKS Diamond Tribute to the Year’s Women in Film on 9/11/13!

Good luck.

(Photo credit: Maison Birks)

#SPOTTED: DEEPA MEHTA IN TORONTO AT WHOLE FOODS

Only in Toronto would something like this happen!  Iconic Indo-Canadian Director Deepa Mehta was spotted earlier today of all places doing Groceries with her Husband Producer David Hamilton, at Whole Foods in Yorkville.  As I was grinding my Coffee Beans away, I looked-over to see the Toronto Native browsing some Treats and she was more than sweet herself to stop and snap a Photo together.

Mehta, best-known for her Elements Trilogy: Fire, Earth and Water, just made a splash at TIFF 2012 with her latest Film, Midnight’s Children – currently playing in Toronto at Varsity Cinemas.  “How could you not have seen it yet?”, she asks me teasingly.  I promise soon, Deepa!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)