One-Tank Trip for
May 12/18
(c) By Jim Fox
It will be a
weekend of “lights, camera, action” for movie lovers in Toronto.
Visitors
can experience the city’s fascination with film and the creative arts and involvement
on May 26 and 27 during Doors Open Toronto.
The
program swings open the doors to many buildings and sites not normally
available to the public, all for free.
Why wait
for the world-acclaimed Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in
September, check it out now.
 |
| Ontario Place has reopened
the iconic Cinesphere and screens a variety of films for all ages year-round. |
Irene
Knight, Tourism Toronto’s media relations manager, said this year’s theme is “Film:
The Great Romance” and explores the city’s film and television industry.
This
includes “spaces where actors, designers, carpenters, makeup artists, animators
and writers hone their craft and help make Toronto North America’s third
largest screen-based production centre.
It allows
visitors an opportunity to go backstage in the buildings where more than 30,000
creative talent work.
As well,
Knight points out that Toronto features numerous film festivals throughout the
year in addition to TIFF and Hot Docs with ongoing feature screenings.
Visitors can
also tour locations of some famous films and enjoy restaurants frequented by
celebrities when they are in town, she added.
 |
| The Toronto
International Film Festival (TIFF) Reference Library will show a 35-mm film and give
tours. |
“Take a
fascinating tour of the TIFF building and learn about its architectural design,
history of film and the area. Then, enjoy a movie at one of the most
technologically leading-edge theatres in the world.”
Mayor John
Tory said the weekend provides an opportunity to discover many significant
sites that collectively shape the city’s identity as a film centre.
There’s everything
from historic cinemas, film, television and digital media studios to the
post-production houses, artist-run centres and film-training schools for the
city’s “thriving film industry,” he added.
The event,
presented by Great Gulf, features more than 130 buildings, including 55 new
sites, city-wide walking tours, speakers, music and special programs in a “celebration
of architecture” and film.
Screening launch
The
weekend begins on May 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ontario Place Cinesphere with the
screening of Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience followed by a discussion.
This
labour of love is from the “visually exciting filmmaker” Terrence Malick with his
first foray into documentary storytelling.
 |
| Shaftesbury creates
content for TV, film, digital and brands and will give tours of its funky turn-of-the-century
warehouse office in the Studio District. |
Throughout
the weekend will be a showcase of films screened in partnership with more than
30 of Toronto’s local film festivals, organizations and historic cinemas.
The Doors
Open to Music program features live music in six special spaces and an Open
Studio program explores 10 architects’ studios for an inside look into how
buildings are designed.
What’s the
Story Here? on May 26 is a panel discussion about architecture, film and
Toronto.
Toronto
OnScreen, in partnership with ReelCanada, on May 27 will provide a glimpse into
the creative process of renowned architects, filmmakers, art directors and
production designers from the Handmaid’s Tale, Last Night and other
productions.
 |
| The Revue Cinema since
1912 still shows movies and is called a “monument to the mass phenomenon of
movie-going.” |
Don’t miss
- Toronto
City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square will host activities and give rare access
to the mayor’s office, council chamber and 27th floor observation deck.
- Family-friendly
activities of short films and an exhibition of original costumes from film and TV
productions will be shown.
- Toronto
Poet Laureate Anne Michaels will read excerpts from Michael Ondaatje's novel “In
the Skin of a Lion.”
- There’s
an interactive experience by Lego artist Ekow Nimako and a virtual reality
experience of eight Doors Open Toronto sites at city hall.
- Walking
tours delve into the history and architecture of neighbourhoods, many of which
have been backdrops for films. Details: toronto.ca/doorsopen
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