Memories of TIFF and 7 September

With a day to go before the end of what has been a fabulous year, today I'm remembering 7 September 2007, which was not only one of the best days I've ever experienced, it was also important and so memorable for more than one member of the community here. This post is dedicated to each of you.


The Toronto International Film Festival couldn't have come at a better time for me. Nothing helps you get over these little trials better than a Jake Gyllenhaal adventure and the company of some fellow Jakers. This flying visit was spectacular from the very beginning - although arriving at Toronto's airport probably no more than 10 minutes after Jake walked through it was a little... vexing. I saw the luggage carousel from his plane (as I later discovered) and it was just about empty. But that evening, while walking off the jetlag and enjoying the heat, I came across what turned out to be Jake's hotel - the Hazeldene - and I couldn't believe my luck that, just as I was about to head back to my hotel, I saw Jake leave his hotel and be driven out of the back in one of the festival's infamous SUVs.




Staying at the hotel where the press conferences were taking place was a bonus and, thanks to a kind Australian journalist, we found out when the Rendition press conference was and we were able to watch Jake and the others enter the side door. Even better, when they came out, we were close enough to speak to Jake and Peter, get an autograph or two, whilst almost being smothered by the paps behind.



I was papped too! Here is me (far right) talking to Peter, Jake having been driven off just a moment before.


That night we went down to the Roy Thomson Hall and waited inside the foyer for Jake to walk through to the lift. The attendants were great, by the way. They seemed to realise what all this meant to us. Jake's friend Chris came through first and then Jake turned the corner (the cries of 'Jake! Jake!' were a clue he was on the way) and he walked smiling past us, being rushed and pulled along by the lady we saw at the Baftas and in Cannes. We then ran to get our seats in the balcony - in the rush I noticed Reese walking past me to the right and managed to get a photograph of the back of her head - this goes nicely with the other picture I took of the back of Reese's head in Rome. She doesn't half walk quickly.


Watching Gavin Hood, Kelley Sane and the actors come on stage one at a time, was a wonderful moment. It did mean though that I didn't get to see too much of the film. It was overwhelming and I was grateful to the friends on either side. The film received a standing ovation. We went back to Yorkville to enjoy the party atmosphere. Later that night, I saw Peter and Chris again in the street and heard that Jake and Reese were at George Clooney's party round the corner. An amazing day and I have to thank Bobbyanna, her lovely daughter, Becky and Felicia for their wonderful company. In the picture below, the other ticket is from the Rome gala.


As we were having our amazing experience, so too were another trio, Em, Missy and Thomas from EnnisJack. I am so grateful to Em for her account of their adventure, which she sent me to share here. I also know how much their account of the whole encounter meant to everyone at EJ; both Christie and Rosie have said that to me. Em, Missy and Tomas' Jake encounter made the frontpages of the Toronto papers and, it's hardly surprising because they got Jake to sign one of his Brokeback shirts, which he did, above the heart. Here are Em's words and, as many of us know, Em is a fine, fine writer and she just took me write back with this. The video follows.


'My favourite Jake moment of 2007 is at the Rendition World Premiere at the TIFF. No surprise, because I can be heard screaming Jake's name in a manner that would make even a banshee cringe in horror in the vid I shot of the event. I remember standing there amidst a crowd of people, what must have been a sea of nameless faces to Jake, and feeling like, for a brief moment, he knew me. Such a fanciful notion, I know, but it seemed like all around me was chaos and the only time everything became quiet and still was when Jake was standing in front of me.'



'I went with two EJ friends, MississaugaRed and Thomas. We also had one of the shirts Jake wore for the confrontation scene in BBM, a piece of clothing Thomas had purchased at an auction. We had no idea what we were doing because this was our first time at the TIFF. But, somehow, we stumbled upon the perfect spot to catch a glimpse of Jake because we were surrounded by TIFF veterans who knew some of the senior volunteers and officials. When those around us realized we had Jake's BBM shirt they were determined to help us in getting it signed. When Jake showed up, the TIFF veterans around us called out to one of the officials, Cheryl, and told her we had one of Jake's shirts from BBM and could he come over and sign it?'

[I love this 'wow' moment from Jake - WDW]



'I could feel my dear Thomas trembling beside me when Jake came within sight of us. Thomas asked Jake to sign the shirt and Jake immediately said, "Yeah, sure." Jake looked down at the shirt and he mouthed "Wow" and carefully signed the shirt on the left side, above where his heart would have been if he wore it. Thomas said "Thank you" and Jake kind of nodded and gave a little smile but his eyes were very soft and solemn. And, you know, he didn't say "You're welcome" but, standing there, I felt welcomed. I felt like Jake had invited us in, just for a few intimate seconds, into his world.'


'As soon as Jake was whisked away we ran across the street to get in line for the screening with only fifteen minutes to spare. While we were in line I showed both Thomas and Missy the vid I just took and we still couldn't quite believe what we had experienced just minutes before. We couldn't wait to tell our friends that Jake had signed the shirt. Little did we know that while we were watching Rendition, Associated Press released a picture of Jake getting his picture taken with one of the TIFF veterans beside us and in that picture both Thomas and Missy are beaming at Jake in adoration!'


'So that's my favourite Jake moment of 2007. In fact, one of my favourite moments EVER in 2007. Thomas said it best when he said there are so many things to love about Jake. But the best thing is...Jake brought us all together. At the TIFF. At EJ. At WDW. Whether he's doing Snakes On a Plane, calling himself Jake Gooberballs, or simply signing an autograph...there's a very real sense of hospitality within him that seems to invite us into parts of his world. Through that, he becomes ours... and we become his. And being in Jake's world is a good place to be.'



This picture of mine below is another of my famous nearmiss photographs. Except for showing Jake's feet, this could well be just before the event described by Em.


I discovered afterwards that two others were there that night - Chillinwitgyllen and Get Real. CWG can have been no more than a few feet away from me in the theatre foyer and it's such a pleasant feeling thinking both CWG and Get Real were also in the auditorium. Here are a couple of pictures that CWG sent me from that incredible time. Next time, I trust we can all do it together!



Includes pictures from IHJ, WDW and Em.

Jake - 'It's amazing to me the things that people say about movies I've been in'

When Jake Gyllenhaal popped over to London, ostensibly to do the Jonathan Ross show, he was one busy gorgeous movie star. In addition to a full load of video and newspaper interviews, Jake also did the UK radio shows. We've already heard a couple - most notably the sweet and funny interview Jake did with Heart Radio - but here's another one. This interview was recorded with Jodie Ross for London's Capital Radio. Although too brief, there are some great moments here, and these are my favourites.


By the way, to illustrate this post I am using the new/old pictures that I Heart Jake have wonderfully and thankfully just posted for us all, knowing as they do, how we are all missing Jake at the moment. These pictures were taken in June 2006 - in NYC with Maggie and then in LA.


When Jodie asks Jake if he already knew about the practice of extraordinary rendition, Jake shows how well informed and aware he is - up to date with the news. In addition to listening to the radio, 'I read the newspaper pretty avidly, not just the cover but three pages in.' He is also an active member of the American Civil Liberties Union. Jake says 'It's always important to have a good time on set, to joke around and enjoy yourself in any job you do', but that the subject matter of his own scenes in Rendition, unsurprisingly, didn't let itself to jokes. Instead, the effort went into looking after Omar Metwally, and providing a cathartic release for them all. They would let him 'out of the chains', sit him down, feed him, give him drink. All the time aware that this torture really was going on in the world whilst also trying to stay apart from it.


Jake is asked how he deals with the rumours surrounding himself and Reese Witherspoon (this interview, of course, predates the Rome Film Festival) and Jake remarks how strange he finds it that actors are automatically linked together. 'It's amazing to me the things that people say about movies I've been in, parts I've played, things that are going on in my life that are either similar to the parts I've played or are not at all. But I think everyone always has to laugh these things off.'


On a lighter note, Jodie reminds Jake that he has been listed in Elle's Top 10 sexiest men and has been named as America's hottest bachelor by Interview. After protesting, but then hearing the names of the publications, Jake jokes 'That's legitimate, I guess... OK, I'll take that!' Jodie asks Jake why he is the hottest bachelor in America: 'I just have so many wonderful qualities... I'm just a great, great sexy bachelor.' But when asked how he feels about the Oscar buzz surrounding Rendition, Jake replies 'sceptical'. He laughs but I don't think he's joking.

Listen to the rest by going to the link on this page.


19 December - let's celebrate

As we all know, 19 December is Jake's birthday - always a special day, and so, to mark it, I'd like to celebrate Jake and his Gyllenhaalics by commemorating some of our own favourite, maybe personal, Jake moments of the year. This has been an incredible year, with two outstanding films released, a new relationship revealed, a new film begun. Then there are the Film Festivals and the red carpets trodden, the TV interviews and those funny moments of pure Jakeness - Jake swimming the Atlantic, fending off Gooberballs lady (I still maintain that was not me, despite rumours to the contrary), his friend desperate to catch the ball at the Red Sox game, the baby poo, the cooking, the modern dance movements - and so much more! There are funny quips or serious moments of reflection.


I could go on and on but I would love to hear which moment pulled a string in your own heart or tugged on your funny bone. I'd also like you to pick your favourite picture - this doesn't have to be from 2007, it can be from any year. It could be from a film or it could be Jake out and about, in the street or in front of the cameras. You could have taken it yourself perhaps. Through your favourite memories of Jake for the year, we can celebrate his birthday while looking back on an amazing year. I would love to hear from you so please email me at wetdarkandwild@googlemail.com (the link is at the side); whatever your language, wherever you're from, let's show Jake what a time he's given us in 2007.


The picture above is dedicated to Positively Pia and her new arrival. Pictures from IHJ.

David Fincher's night out, Zodiac's missing moments and Kelley Sane talks Rendition (video)

Last night, David Fincher got another chance to see that many people have strong feelings for Zodiac, sometimes needing to see it more than once, more than twice, because it has such a pull on them. Zodiac was shown to a sold out and very appreciative Walter Reade Theater in New York. A report of the night in the Reeler begins with words that may well speak for more than of us: 'for my money, it's one of the finest films of the decade. Host and chief interrogator Kent Jones wasn't the only one confessing to having seen the movie five times or more; one man prefaced his question with such ecstatic praise that Fincher interrupted him before he could even get to the question: "Thank God for you, sir."'


The audience wasn't just treated to a viewing of the film, but also a question and answer session with David himself, in which he recalled the San Francisco that inspired him because he himself was frightened as a child by the constant coverage, month in, month out, of the killer's threats. '"It was such a big deal for so long -- it was almost two years that the guy was in the paper every day, and then all of a sudden it just disappeared, and I remember thinking 'What happened with that?' When I got the script, I kind of thought I didn't want to make a movie about it; I didn't want to make a movie that exploited him. I wanted to make the movie about it that turned over every rock. The Chronicle was in a neck-and-neck tie with the Examiner and catapulted to the forefront because Zodiac chose to communicate through the Chronicle. So a lot of the landscape of San Francisco changed because of Zodiac."'


Once the film was recorded, the difficulty for David Fincher was in getting it to be under five hours. '"When we got the version we were happy with, we did one more screening," he explained. "We hijacked people from malls and gave them the power of life and death, and made them Siskel and Ebert." Those two scenes were the most contentious in testing; for DVD, Fincher wanted to restore the film's shape to that of "the final screening before we lopped the ears off."'


Interestingly, David commented on the stories that emanated from the film set, the numerous takes and deletions that drove Robert Downey Jr and Jake Gyllenhaal (at least) to want to garrot their director. '"Do you know the best way to get an actor to stop fucking around? Stop giving them direction. Say 'Just do another one.' Three takes of that, they're done. 'What do you want me to do?' 'I want you to come through the elevator and turn and say the line like this." Suddenly you could see the perfectionist's killer instinct that led many smart-ass critics to say Zodiac feels like a movie not just about a serial killer, but that feels like it was made by one as well.'

And I'm hoping that our own CWG had a great time in the company of one David Fincher!


The Director's Cut extras

A lucky soul who has seen the Director's Cut of Zodiac has given an account of the extra minutes, the extended or original scenes and the new dialogue - even a new emphasis. You may not want to know the details before seeing the new cut yourself, but I will say that at long last we'll be able to see the scene that goes with this picture. I've often wondered about it. And I'm glad to get more Jake, especially more Jake with more Robert.



Rendition video interview with Kelley, Omar and Gavin

I was delighted to find that Variety had hosted an interview not only with Gavin Hood, but also with Omar Metwally and, my favourite, Gorgeous Kelley Sane. Here is the video. We learn that Kelley became inspired to write the screenplay of Rendition while at a party discussing the subject in 2005 (sounds like some party). Kelley was motivated because he wanted to explore the consequences of actions and whether chipping away at the constitution of the United States could ever be justified. Kelley says that after 9/11 it was understandable that the government would wish to do everything in its power to protect its citizens, but what is the cost of these actions and are we willing to bear it? It's interesting to consider that, as Gavin Hood says, not all of the actors shared the same opinions. Perhaps not surprisingly, by the end of filming, Omar Metwally had no doubt that torture can never be excused.



Includes pictures from IHJ.

Meet the Stars of Rendition video and Rendition placed in its context

Last night, completely out of the blue (almost), Film 24 on Sky showed a documentary on Rendition called Meet the Stars. This feature included video of Gavin Hood shooting scenes from the film, some of the famous clips (which I'm sure we're all word perfect on by now) and interviews with the cast, recorded on set. Fortunately, because Twisted Logic has her eye on the ball - usually when it's Arsenal doing the kicking - WDWTL Productions is delighted to bring you Film 24's Meet the Stars. Because it's relatively long, this is in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2. Thanks very much TL!



In addition to hearing and seeing Rendition Jake discuss his 'ghost' of a character, who found humanity when events literally and physically smacked him in the face, you can also see interviews with Peter Sarsgaard, Meryl Streep, Gavin Hood, Reese Witherspoon and the exceptional Omar Metwally.




War on film

The New York Times ran an interesting article this week comparing the recent spate of Hollywood films about Iraq and the war on terror and placing them in the context of the foreign and military policy of the US government. Intriguingly, the article includes an audio slide show on the War in Iraq, in which images from these films, including Rendition, are accompanied by a discussion of their context and intention by A O Scott, a correspondent from the New York Times.


Although the films appear on the surface to be coming from an anti-Bush perspective, Rendition, Scott argues, allows the characters to put the other side in good faith. These films respect an argument whilst also raising issues by what they choose to leave out. So while some people may accuse films such as Rendition of being too political, others may well find them not political enough. And maybe that is why, in my opinion, some critics cannot find it in themselves to like Rendition. Thanks Pia for highlighting this article.


Jake and Reese on the beach

Edited to add video of Jake and Reese on the beach.


Includes pictures from IHJ.

Rendition - 'bring plenty of tissues and don't wear mascara'

On This Morning Alison and Jake warned all of us about to see Rendition 'bring plenty of tissues and don't wear mascara.' It may have been said in jest but, believe me, it's good advice. This isn't a review as such, and there are no spoilers, but I had to tell you that I have just returned home from a packed screening of Rendition and I've learned something.


What I've learned is, if you see a film for the first time - say, Rendition - at a Film Festival - Toronto, for example - and you're well aware that its leading man and heartthrob - oh, I don't know, let's throw the name Jake Gyllenhaal in the air - is in the audience with you... the film doesn't really go in. How is a girl to concentrate in such testing circumstances, eh? I know I was deeply affected by it and mesmerised by it and by Jake's performance - I was close to sobbing on a friend's shoulder at one point, simply because I was overcome by how grown up and sexy Gavin Hood was allowing Jake to be. I really appreciated that this was a Jake I hadn't seen before and I was proud of him and his performance shredded me.


BUT, that was not an ordinary experience, it was the culmination of a day of Bountiful Jake, on foreign shores, with dear friends, and in the company (albeit at a distance) of Jake Gyllenhaal, Gavin Hood, Reese Witherspoon, Omar Metwally, Kelly Sane, Peter Sarsgaard and others whom we have to thank for Rendition.

Tonight was altogether different - a provincial cinema on the outskirts of a town - but it was hugely special, because tonight was about the film Rendition. I know so many of you will be joining me on both sides of the pond tomorrow in seeing Rendition, and I would say nothing to spoil it, my intention here is to tell you that you are in for a treat of the highest cinematic order.


The first time I saw Rendition, my eyes and my heart were completely overwhelmed by Jake and, for that reason, I would urge you all to plan a second viewing because it will be different. I saw so much that was new this second time: the colours of Morocco were more vibrant, the music more beguiling, and I could almost smell the Hookah pipes. I appreciated the work of other fine actors: Meryl Streep was absolutely superb - every line was considered, tried for size and then expressed with perfect intention. Omar Metwally, Yigal Naor, Zineb Oukach were mesmerising and oh so complicated. Every character has two sides; nothing could be what they think. The characters played by Reese Witherspoon and Peter Sarsgaard might be existing in the cold, crisp, light blue space of Washington DC but they're lost in their own maze, having to make choices, face truths and balance huge concepts.



And then there's Jake. I have to say that I'm proud of myself for allowing the power and emotion of the storyline to distract from Jake (although there are a couple of scenes where that's simply not possible!). Even so, without doubt, however exceptional the whole cast is in Rendition, this is Jake's film and I have never seen a performance from him like it. Douglas Freeman is an observer but this isn't through choice. This is a terrible thing he's being forced to watch - he doesn't like it, it's unpleasant and it's not giving results. So what should he do about it? The struggle within Douglas is so realistically enacted by Jake, I was moved beyond words by his maturity as an actor and at the depth of feeling conveyed.


I did take Alison and Jake's advice - I took tissues and I wore no mascara. I'm glad for that because I was in tears long before the end. And I'm glad to report that the cinema was packed and appreciative. People quietly applauded and, among the comments, I heard very impressed and moved individuals praise the film. One guy reminded his friend of Jonathan Ross' review and said that JR had been impressed by the risks that Gavin had taken with the structure. The risks, the guy said, went beyond that.


These were serious moviegoers in the audience with me tonight and it was a huge success. As I left, the attendant asked me if I'd liked it. I said (and the red, puffy eyes may have been a give away) it was a great film and he should tell his friends to see it. You should, too. For all those fortunate enough to be able to see Rendition tomorrow, I hope you enjoy it and I look forward to hearing what you think.

I'm proud of you, Jake.


Pictures from IHJ.