Day 1: And so it begins

I dont know if its been all the drinking I've been doing in the last year, or if perhaps its the incipient signs of Alzheimers, but I always wind up being perpetually surprised each year at the wholesale incompetence of the Festival crew.

For something like the n'th year in a row, the very first freaking film of the festival was delayed - they seated us 20 minutes late, and the film didnt start until something like 25 minutes past the posted time.

I just dont understand this. Its not like they had to clear the venue from a previous movie - there was no previous movie. Its not like they didnt know that there'd be a 9pm film. So what the hell? Perhaps they're just sadistic, and enjoy making us stand out on Yonge Street. For the verdant sights and lavender scented air.

Fuckers.

P,S, The Elgin is still the worst place to see a festival film. Just in case you thought something might have changed. And speaking of films

Persepolis

This, I believe, is an excellent film to start the festival with. The film was adapted from the graphic novel/series by Marjane Satrapi, and recounts aspects of her life as a young girl growing up in Tehran, circa 1978.

Fine film. Very enjoyable. The animation (predominantly monochrome) has a nice feel to it. Storytelling was excellent - poignant where it needed to be, with a fine sense of humor.

Recommended.