TIFF DAY 3 - HUGH HEFNER BIOPIC REVIEW

Day three of TIFF has been the most exciting yet! I wound up not going to see the new Almodovar film Broken Embraces after all and will wait for its theatrical release December 11, 2009. My friend Cathy and I decided to scope out the Press Conference for the new Michael Douglas film Solitary Man. Douglas who arrived a little groggy but nonetheless co-operative, did a round of photos and autographs. He even posed for a quick photograph for me as per request and signed my copy of Fatal Attraction (best. movie. ever.)!

Shortly after, the celebfest continued with George Clooney promoting his second film at this year's TIFF titled Up In The Air. The film, directed by Jason Reitman (Juno), screens at Ryerson Theatre tonight. And get this, I even tagged along for a photo with Clooney along with my TIFF friend S! Too hot for words!

I also got to chat quickly with Jason Bateman who also stars in Up In The Air and as expected, he was very approachable, adding his signature to my DVD copy of Juno which Diablo Cody had signed yesterday. If this weren't enough, Reitman arrived shortly after and a third signature was added to the DVD. The collection will be complete when Juno alumni Jennifer Garner, Ellen Page and Michael Cera all arrive later this week.

Cathy and I trekked down to Elgin Theatre to catch Oscar-winning director Brigitte Berman's documentary based on the life of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. The Canadian-funded film, titled Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist and Rebel is an in-depth look at Hefner's active involvement in policitics, philanthropy and social activism. The film wasn't so much a look at his personal life persay, as much as it was about the great things he did. Regardless, it was fascinating.

I learned many interesting facts about Hefner such as his using his power to get a man who was found guilty of sodomy out of prison. Also, Hefner oversaw the transporting of orphans out of Vietnam post-war on his personal jet and had Playboy Bunnies care for the children. The film also showed how Hefner constantly pushed the envelope and used his multimedia empire to support artists who never had an outlet to voice themselves. At age 83, he is still very much a romantic and hopeful of love despite many failed relationships. Playboy is often thought of as "pornography", but the documentary clarifies his philosophy that we live in a sexually repressed society; good girls can enjoy sex too. Grade: B+

I also captured a portion of the Q&A period after the screening where Hefner fielded questions from the moderator and audience. Watch it below:

I was one of the few lucky ones who managed to nab Hefner's autograph and he signed my copy of the 2007 Playboy Music Issue with Mariah Carey on the cover. I of course will be fighting tooth and nail to get in close with Carey (whom I've loved since ninth grade) tomorrow at the Roy Thompson Hall gala for Precious: Based On The Novel "Push" By Sapphire. Wish me luck.

Off to bed. Busy day tomorrow with three screenings: Up In The Air, The Joneses (with Demi Moore and David Duchovny) and of course Precious. Night!

xW