Kia ora Substack friends!
Right now I am at TIFF 23 in Toronto, typing this message as I am about to watch Hayao Miyazaki’s THE BOY AND THE HERON at the legendary Roy Thomson Theatre with my friend, editor Sam Small.
We are the first audience outside of Japan to see this film, so it is very exciting! I am a huge fan of Studio Ghibli and the films of Miyazaki. Our family dog is even called Totoro. She is named after the cuddly earth spirit in Miyazaki’s MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988), a perfect film.
I know THE BOY AND THE HERON is going to be wonderful too!
When I checked into my hotel room at the Fairmont, I realised that I was in exactly the same room our daughter Thomasin stayed in when we were here as a family in 2019 for the world premiere of Taika Waititi’s JOJO RABBIT. Thomasin played young Elsa in the film, which then went on to win the Festival’s coveted People’s Choice Award that year.
I also remember being in this beautiful Roy Thomson Theatre in 2017 for the premiere of Yorgos Lanthimos’ startling and extraordinary THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER, based on the Greek myth of Iphigenia. I was mesmerized by the brilliant performances of the cast, including Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell and Barry Keoghan. Check it out!
Why am I here? This year for the third time I am a Governor for the TIFF Filmmaker Lab and the Rising Stars, plus various other cool programmes in the Talent Development Initiatives.
I am so proud that two of the filmmakers I worked with previously at TIFF are back this year for the premiere of their film BACKSPOT. It is directed by Filmmaker Lab alumni, D W Waterson; and it stars Rising Star alumni, Devery Jacobs. Congratulations D W and Devery!
Tomorrow I am leading two 3-hour masterclasses on performance. I am so grateful to be able to share some of my actors' and directors’ tool-kit for a new squad of visionary filmmakers.
This afternoon our team had a huge gift — an hour long address and Q+A with fellow TIFF mentor Barry Jenkins (MOONLIGHT; IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK; and the TV series THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD).
I will be back home in Aotearoa New Zealand for my next Substack. But today I want to leave you with Barry Jenkins’ deceptively simple and profound words to actors:
“Be loose, be free, find, explore. Be in the present moment. Now you are ready, show your soul to me and the scene will open.”
Thank you Barry. Thank you TIFF. Thank you Rising Stars. Thank you, reader. Now THE BOY AND THE HERON is about to start…
I better be in the present moment.