One-Tank Trip for
Aug. 11-18
(c) By Jim Fox
Star-struck fans
don’t have to wait until next month’s celebrated film fest in Toronto – they
can experience the city like a celebrity any time of the year.
“If
you enjoy the movies, celebrity and entertainment news, we have some unique experiences
just for you,” says Irene Knight of Tourism Toronto.
There is no
question that Toronto “is for film lovers,” she adds as the city has
connections to some of this year’s best films.
 |
| The Toronto festival attracts about 500,000 people for hundreds of film showings. (Tourism Toronto – Connie Tsang) |
Guillermo
del Toro’s the Shape of Water was filmed in the city and took home top honours
at the Golden Globes and Oscars.
The film’s
producer, J. Miles Dale is Toronto-based and shares the Best Picture nomination
with del Toro.
Toronto is
home to visual FX studio Mr. X, that has credits on award favourites including
Mother!, Girls Trip, Mudbound and Molly’s Game.
Other
connections include Toronto native Christopher Plummer (nominated for best
supporting actor in All the Money in the World).
Oscar-nominated
animated short the Breadwinner had Toronto actor Saara Chaudry voicing the lead
character and Andrew Rosen, whose production company Aircraft Pictures is based
in Toronto, as co-producers.
Flick trips
Toronto
Tourism offers the following suggestions for film aficionados.
Discover the
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) from Sept. 6 to 16 and Hot
Docs, North America’s largest documentary festival, next April 25 to May 5.
 |
| See films year-round at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, home to the Toronto International Film Festival headquarters. (Tourism Toronto - Charles Leonio) |
Tour TIFF
Bell Lightbox, festival headquarters and a cultural institution that offers
year-round screenings.
Go on guided
tours of Toronto’s most famous locations featured in film and TV productions
and dine at sought-after celebrity restaurants.
A great way to
scout film locations is with tour guide Bruce Bell.
Often referred to
as “Hollywood North,” his tours uncover sites where Toronto has doubled for
cities including New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago, Paris and London.
Recognized spots
include the Elgin Theatre seen in the Shape of Water and Chicago, the Financial
Centre in Suits with Meghan Markle and others such as Suicide Squad. brucebelltours.ca
Experience the elegance
Take a guided tour
to view the splendor of the Edwardian era at Casa Loma, called “the only full-sized
castle in North America.”
A popular film
location , it’s a premier historic attraction built in 1914 with secret
passageways, elaborately decorated rooms and authentic period furnishings. casaloma.ca
Book a private
session or tour Second City Improv Class to play games such as Whose Line Is It
Anyway and check out the mainstage to see the pros in action. secondcity.com/toronto
Visit the Ryerson
Image Centre that develops programs for the research, teaching and exhibition of
photography and related media. ryersonimagecentre.ca/the-ric
 |
| The Distillery Historic District has been the scenic backdrop for many movies shot in Toronto. (Jim Fox photo) |
Star-studded dining
Tourism Toronto serves
up several restaurants that are favourite celebrity haunts.
- Sassafraz in the
heart of historic Yorkville serves “market-driven, French-inspired Canadian
cuisine and attracts a myriad of celebrities.”
- Montecito is
called a “modern restaurant collaboration” between Hollywood director Ivan
Reitman and Toronto-based Innov8 Hospitality.
- Sotto Sotto is
said to “bring the romance of Italy to the heart of Toronto where guests are
captivated by its enchanting atmosphere, coupled with authentic Italian cuisine
and a wide variety of wines.”
- Luma “pays homage
to Toronto’s rich, cultural landscape,” with global and Canadian artisanal
cuisine.
- Cluny in the
Distillery District, a popular film setting, transports diners to a “sprawling
neo-Parisian bistro that fearlessly mixes eras, patterns and materials into a
surprisingly cohesive aesthetic.”
In a TIFF
The 43rd annual
film fest attracts about 500,000 people for hundreds of showings and movie star
sightings from Sept. 6 to 16. tiff.net/tiff;
(416) 599-8433
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com
For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca
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