TIFF lineup diary

For the first time ever, I got ushered in half hour early at TIFF. I am at Elgin Theatre for the Le Havre screening, a North American premiere. No fancy press treatment, but rather I didn't have to wait in line very long because I had the right Visa card for the Visa screening room. And even more fun and unusual, given the large crowds, I even managed to meet up with some friends. Let the screening begin!

-- Debra Black

Creating U2's music 'like making sausages,' Bono quips

Bono signs autographs as he walks to the opening of U2 documentary From the Sky Down/Reuters

U2 singer Bono set stomachs rumbling in Roy Thomson Hall Thursday night before getting the TIFF opening night audience's minds blown with the world premiere of From the Sky Down, Davis Guggenheim's documentary on the band.

He compared the creating of music to making sausages, and warned that it's "not that pretty" to watch either being made.  Not what you'd expect of a group with such rock classics as "With Or Without You," "Where The Streets Have No Name" and "Mysterious Ways."

The band had to think hard about having Guggenheim film their recent rehearsal sessions, preparing for a Glastonbury Festival performance in June of songs from the 1991 album Achtung Baby.

"We are very protective of our privacy, particularly the creative process," said Bono, who was joined on the Roy Thomson stage by bandmate The Edge, director Guggenheim and members of TIFF's executive and programming teams.

"Not just because we're precious -- which we are! (Songwriting) is not that pretty. And that old adage, 'If you knew what went into the sausage, you wouldn't eat it?' You've got some sausages and mash going on, ladies and gentlemen!"

All joking aside, it seems the members of the Irish rock quartet are  pleased with From the Sky Down. Bono and The Edge wanted Guggenheim to show them warts 'n' all, because "we didn't want some lukewarm thing."

Guggenheim may have taken that a little too far, The Edge said.

"If it was up to us, we'd have a lot more jokes, a lot more asides."

And where were their fellow bandmates, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr.?  Back home with their families, the audience was told, resting up after a recently concluded band tour that broke many rock records.

-- Peter Howell.

Bono and the Edge arrive to screaming TIFF fans

Bono talks to Mark Baker as he makes his way through flashing cameras/Paul Irish 

To screams and hoots Bono, The Edge and Director Davis Guggenheim have arrived at the debut of their movie and are inside. Two slow moving SUVs rolled up surrounded by wild fans. The pair took about five minutes to enter the building after chatting with the crowd and signing autographs. Mary Chaise from Hamilton who got a look at the pair said the wait was wort it. "They're just incredible," she said.

The Edge greets fans gathered for the premier of his documentary. Bono and Director Davis Guggenheim were close behind him/Andrew Meeson

Members of the press and fans jostle to get a photo of Bono./The Canadian Press

-- Paul Irish

Live from the red carpet

Waiting for U2

The media attention for this event is over the top. There are at least 100 journalist on the red carpet and another 50 mingling with the crowd of 500.

 

Mark Baker of Toronto holds his personalized plate/Paul Irish

U2: An international event

The range of people wanting to see this band is phenomenal, from a 78-year-old woman from Halifax to a 2-year-old toddler from Hamilton. I've heard about five different languages spoken so you can really tell this is an international event. Two girls from Japan just asked me when Braddock Pitt was arriving.  -- Paul Irish

Auditioning for Oscar: All in a day's work

It's never too early to audition for Oscar as Ryan Partridge, Toronto model-personal trainer learned while doing promo work inspired by the film fest outside The Mercer condo sales office near the TIFF Bell Lightbox Thursday. Oscar's naked, we helpfully pointed out. Partridge may have blushed beneath the gold makeup.  --  Linda Barnard

U2 is coming! U2 is coming!

Hundreds have been waiting since before noon to get a glimpse of their heroes, U2. Leeann Donohue made a sign hoping to catch Bono's attention. The night is warm, people are excited and they know this is a very important event for TIFF.    - Paul Irish

 

Leeann Donohue/Paul Irish photo

Roger Ebert back at TIFF

Roger Ebert’s life is an open book, literally, in his new memoir titled, Life Itself:A Memoir.

The famous and compelling critic, who has been reviewing movies for the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, is totally candid in his story, touching on everything from his loves, his alcoholism and, of course, the many famous celebrities he's befriended during his life.

Ebert, who has been coming to Toronto for TIFF since its early days, will be at TheatreBooks Ltd. (11 Saint Thomas St.) on Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. to sign his new book.

 

-Paul Irish

Scott Speedman, Mia Wasikowska and Adrian Grenier arrive for TIFF

Adrian Grenier

Scott Speedman

Mia Wasikowska

-Malene Arpe