By Miriam Ibrahim
TIFF has been a staple of Toronto culture for quite some time. Even if you’ve never been, there are some things that you just come to know. Driving into the city is going to be a pain as the crowds and cars increase. People will come out in droves and wait for hours for a glimpse of a celebrity. There are lots of them, at least during the first half of the festival. Then, there’s the “back half.” Things are a little less frenetic, there are fewer famous stars, tickets can be a little easier to get, and you might find yourself watching movies you’ve never heard of. I’ve gotten to experience TIFF twice now, and I can definitely say it was magic both times—though in very different ways.
My first experience was during the “back half” in 2013. I went downtown on a Sunday afternoon with a coworker to see The Square, a heartbreakingly brilliant documentary about the events in Egypt, from the 2011 revolution through the ongoing crisis in 2013.
But at TIFF, you’re not just going to see a movie.
You’re being invited into the filmmakers’, cast’s, and crew’s experience. After the screening, there was a Q&A with the producer, director, and two of the main people that the story followed. Hearing their perspectives deepened my connection to the film and gave me space to process both the story and my emotions around it. Full disclosure: I am Egyptian, and this is the plight of my people. I have a lot of personal connections to the subject matter. But my coworker, who wasn’t Egyptian, was also moved by the experience. As we were leaving, he turned to me and said, “You must be so proud to be Egyptian.”
Thirteen years later, I found myself back at TIFF. This time, I had the opportunity to attend a “premium” screening of two episodes of Slow Horses – and, when I was invited, I had to admit I didn’t actually know what “premium” meant. 😬
Aside from my complete freeze response to being so close to the actors (I get very starstruck!), I was enthralled. Yes, we were jumping into Season 6 (note to self: watch Seasons 1–5), but once again, the Q&A afterward offered a peek behind the story and the artists who brought it to life. It deepened my connection to the material and pushed me to think about it beyond entertainment.
And then there was Festival Street. I explored Korean culture through games and traditional clothing, sampled some very yummy treats, and simply watched King Street come alive with people, music, and energy. I stayed way past my mentally-planned exit window, enjoying every minute – and even my very tired self didn’t curse any of it the next day.
TIFF may be centred around movies and premieres, but don’t make the same mistake that I did in thinking that’s all it is.
Sometimes, the magic happens after the credits roll.
