9-4-03
Forget the ticket-lottery system. Forget Mouthy Martha. Forget the
annoying press-conference moderator or the people who talk during
screenings or the hapless volunteers in oversized T-shirts who need
further training.
By far, the most upsetting thing at this year's film festival is the
horrifying news that the rumors circulating during last year's
fest have turned out to be true:
The glorious Uptown theatre will close its doors forever effective
immediately following the festival's closing night on Sept. 13th, 2003.
For years, the Uptown has not only been one of the best and most-loved
movie-watching venues in all of Toronto, it's been one of TIFF's
cornerstone theatres. From the two low-rake basement cinemas to the
splendor of the before-its-time stadium seating in the majestic Uptown
1, debuting a film here has been a dream held by many a would-be
Canadian filmmaker, myself included.
But come September 13th, the Uptown will be no more. Like the other
grand movie houses that played host to Torontonians over the years, the
Uptown will soon be a dusty (and dusted) memory. First the Hyland, the
Hollywood, the Capitol and the Eglinton. Now my beloved Uptown, the
last bastion of a bygone era.
I've seen hundreds of films there over the years, both film-fest
offerings and mainstream releases during the rest of the year. It's
where I met Laura San Giacomo and Toni Collette (separately). It's
where I witnessed a then-unknown Quentin Tarantino sitting in one of
the front rows of the Uptown 1 for a Q&A session at someone else's film
(so long ago I can't even remember what the movie was). It's where I
watched Christopher Guest and the casts for both Waiting For
Guffman and Best in Show engage their audiences in riotous
Q&A sessions. It's where I saw Kevin Spacey act like an ass, where Drew
Barrymore was swarmed by fans (at a screening of Home Fries of
all things) and where an audience booed director Abel Ferrara at his
own movie. It's where my friend Lorraine and I used to hold court in
our favorite seats (top tier of the balcony, about three rows up, right
in the middle) year after year. Dozens and dozens of prized moments—silly, slapstick, starstruck and, now, sad—too numerous to list.
The well-worn red velvet seats, the smell of decades of popped corn,
the handy foot-rest railings, the spectacular foyer, the golden dome,
the unmarked restrooms, the rickety exterior fire escapes used only by
the supremely courageous... all these things will be demolished.
For condos.
Condominiums in a city already overrun with countless new condo
complexes.
[<--- Insert a stream of tearful expletives here --->]
The Toronto Star recently published a wonderful
article about the Uptown's fate that eloquently sums up the
theatre's history and relevance in the city. Better than I can, anyway.
So, at this 28th TIFF, I will cherish every screening I attend at my
all-time favorite movie house. And, thankfully, I have quite a few
films slated for the Uptown's three cinemas, including my very last
movie this year, which screens at the Uptown 1 on its final night of
operation. Ever.
*sniffle*
Rest in peace, ya great big beauty. I'll miss you.
[Note: Rumor (thanks for the tip, Angela!) has it the festival is
trying to discourage rabid film fans from swiping a piece of history as
the exit their screenings at the Uptown this year—especially in the
wee hours of Sept. 14th after the final Midnight Madness film. I say,
go for it, folks. ;-) ]
— Vickie
