Historic Elgin Theater

Thursday, September 6-----------The build up is finally over.....the 31st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival officially opens this evening, with the world premiere screening of FUGITIVE PIECES, the latest film from local boy Jeremy Podeswa. Based on the international best-seller by Canadian author Anne Michaels, the film will make its bow at the beautifully restored historic  Elgin Theater in downtown Toronto's theater district. Expect the cultural, political and business mukky-muks of Canada's biggest city to be there in droves, along with fans lining the streets, on the lookout for the many celebrities who will be winging it in for the weekend.

By choosing a Canadian film to open the festivities, the Festival is demonstrating its commitment to Canadian cinema and giving local talent their moment in the spotlight. With no international names in the cast, FUGITIVE PIECES needs the momentum of a big roll out here to create international interest. At the moment, with the exception of Canada, there are no distribution plans for the film anywhere else in the world. That could change by tomorrow morning if the response by the Opening Night crowd is rapturous......or not. In this Festival of nearly 300 films, it's on to the next thing mercilessly quickly. I will see the film at a pre-Opening Night slot at 6:30pm tonight and dutifully report.

Sandy Mandelberger, Toronto FF Dailies Editor