Sure, the annual Toronto
International Film Festival (TIFF) tends to focus on A-list stars,
notable directors and an overcrowding of infinite screaming fans, but the
second largest film festival in the world isn’t just full of glitz and glam. In
its 36 years, TIFF has had its share of somber, strange, and downright bizarre
incidents.
Here’s a look at some of the
festival’s most shocking-and memorable-moments.
Friendly Farrell?
Known for his bad-boy image, Irish actor Colin Farrell stole the show in 2007
when he took a local homeless man, known as Stress, on a shopping spree.
The pair apparently met years before
and were once again reunited when Stress caught Farrell leaving his hotel in
Yorkville. Reports state Farrell bought the man a new wardrobe-everything from
underwear and socks to a sleeping bag and a coat.
Fair game
In 2006, actor Sean Penn violated Ontario’s anti-smoking laws after lighting up
in the luxurious Sutton Place Hotel during a news conference for his film, “All
the King’s Men.” While the Oscar winner got off with a warning, the hotel was
later fined $600 for allowing the actor to smoke.
Gone baby gone
How do you wake up a roomful of journalists?
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At the Q&A for “A History of Violence” in 2005, Ed Harris slammed his fist
on the table three times and shouted, “What is this?” The “Beautiful Mind”
actor then knocked over a water glass and hurled it over his shoulder,
shattering the glassware as it hit a wall. Harris was apparently making a point
about the nature of violence. Huh.
TIFF goes dark
On September 11, 2001, TIFF shut down for the rest of the day after the
attacks-cancelling all films and other events.
Stars and filmmakers in
attendance to promote their movies in Toronto abandoned their interview
schedules, holed themselves in their suites to watch the news on TV and
commiserated with those trying to get word from loved ones in New York City.
Close, but no cigar
“Don’t you know who I am? What kind of festival is this?” In 1983,
actress Glenn Close released a bit of her ‘Cruella de Vil’ attitude after a
TIFF volunteer said she thought ‘Glenn’ was a man’s name.
Close apologized for
her outburst but her tirade still resonates as one of the festival’s most
unforgettable quotes.
As good as it gets
Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson caused quite a stir in 1984 while hanging out
in the VIP section of festival hot spot, Copa. According to Toronto
Life, reporter Susan Ferrier MacKay held up a sign reading, “Want to
dance?”
The “A Few Good Men” and “The Bucket
List” actor declined only to turn to a fellow partier and say, “Pity she used
the wrong verb.”
-With a file from Postmedia News
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