We ran into Rob Stefaniuk (of TIFF vampire rock flick Suck) and his actor/singer girlfriend Barbara Mamabolo out for some dinner with friends at the Spoke Club. When we asked how their TIFF was going, Mamabolo replied, “Exhausting, in a word.” Stefaniuk nodded and we wholeheartedly agreed. We think TIFF is hard on us but it’s probably even harder on those that have to go to screenings and make nice with the press. Luckily, they’ve already sold the distribution rights to the film. Stefaniuk had just finished his last screening and is looking forward to resting. The pair are off to Halifax. The couple saw The Trotsky and Rabia, but didn’t have much time to see other movies. We know the feeling.
The comprehensive index of every blog post, magazine story and restaurant review that appears on Torontolife.com
All stories relating to Suck
Our awkward kiss with Jessica Paré
Last night, we ran into gorgeous Suck starlet Jessica Paré at the Holt Renfrew party. She remembered us from the night before at the after-party for Suck (read about it here) and came over to say hello. Our new crush was wearing her glasses to see The Stills perform. We think we’re in love. When she leaned in for the cheek kiss, we went double and she went single. Awkwardness ensued for about a millisecond until she graciously went in for cheek number two and told us, “I’m being so Toronto right now, and you’re being so Montreal…weird.” We didn’t see Paré for most of the evening, spotting her leaving around 1:30 a.m. as the hosts were about to turn on the lights to get us the heck out of there. So not only is she gracious, she knows how to party. Sigh.
Rocking out with Jessica Paré, Rob Stefaniuk and Calico Cooper at the Suck after-party
Jessica Paré in Suck
The darkly lit and cavernous Phoenix Concert Theatre played host to the Suck after-party last night. A rock and roll theme was in full force, with classic tunes played at top volume and live performances by Mamabolo and The Burning Brides. Aging rockers, as far as the eye could see, bobbed their heads, full manes of long, luxurious hippie hair flipping all about.
Rob Stefaniuk, writer, director and star of Suck, was in attendance with his girlfriend Barbara Mamabolo, an actor in the film and lead singer of none other than Mamabolo. When we asked about the many years it took to get Suck made, Stefaniuk replied, “They were hellish—just ask my girlfriend.” Mamabolo simply smiled.
Read the rest of this entry »
The IT Lounge is where media go to swig back hangover juice and chase with vodka
The Please Mum duds that Jennifer Garner will recieve
Please mum, can I have a sweater? The objective of a gifting lounge is to connect George Clooney with a Sharpie marker, Woody Harrelson with some Teva sandals, Demi Moore with…umm…a Penny Protein Plan muffin? And then we, the media, talk about which talent scooped up what. For PRs, it’s kind of like the bonus back massage you get when you book a pedi.
The IT Lounge publicists know how to push product, and that’s why Jennifer Garner received cutesy Please Mum duds for her little Gaffleck girls delivered right to her door. Will they wear them? Not sure, but Olivia Wilde’s nieces will battle the rain with a sweet Please Mum raincoat. While taking a looksy, Wilde also fell for a J. Rox lariat necklace (designed by Toronto’s Jane Apor), which we assume she’ll wear tonight at the Artists for Peace and Justice event at The Windsor Arms.
Read the rest of this entry »
In lieu of Megan Fox, a rock star shows up at Cheval
Pope gets the eTalk treatment
Megan Fox’s expected arrival at Cheval last night was kept on the down low, as eTalk was the only other reporting team at the King Street bar.
The actress was to make a quick appearance before the midnight premiere of Jennifer’s Body at the Ryerson Theatre, but at 10 p.m. (after two hours of waiting), she was officially a no-show. Instead, we ran into ’80s new wave rocker Carole Pope of Rough Trade, who flew in from her home in New York for her film, Suck, which premieres today (stay tuned for our coverage of the after-party). “I wanted to see The Young Victoria because I heard great things about Emily Blunt,” she said. “But unfortunately it’s on the last day and I have to fly home before that.”
Read the rest of this entry »
Alice Cooper gives marital advice to Jessica Paré: Make sure you continue to flirt with each other
Alice Cooper and Jessice Paré: Marital tips, not makeup tips (Photos by Hunter Desportes, Magnolia Pictures)
We caught up with stunning Canadian actor Jessica Paré last night at an exclusive soirée in a Yorkville residence. At TIFF, Paré has two films: the rock ’n’ roll vampire comedy Suck, in which she plays a sexy take-no-shit bass player, and The Trotsky, in which she has a walk-on role. Suck also stars the weathered legend Iggy Pop and heavy metal icon Alice Cooper. When asked what working with Cooper was like, Paré describes him as “quiet and spiritual,” a far cry from the semi-violent, and somewhat terrifying, performer who made his mark in this town at 1969 concert by spontaneously tossing a chicken into the front row. (Cooper assumed the bird would fly; unfortunately, rabid fans tore it to shreds.)
Read the rest of this entry »
Suck it, recession: Homegrown vampire flick gets picked up by Alliance
Read the rest of this entry »
Our Canadian ego is swelling after news that the first TIFF film to sell its distribution rights is homegrown. Capri Vision Inc.’s Suck (watch the trailer above), directed by musician and actor Rob Stefaniuk, has been picked up by Alliance Films.
Thank you, recession: this year’s free TIFF events are surprisingly wonderful
Rock star Neil Young gives a free performance (Photo by F.A. Hernández)
Synonymous with velvet ropes, lavish parties and celebrities whose annual income rivals the GDP of Palau, the Toronto International Film Festival has never been a particularly thrifty affair—until now. TIFF is getting recession friendly in ’09 by offering expanded free programming at Yonge-Dundas Square (the kind that so irked Rex Reed last year), not to mention some A-list celebrity appearances. “It’s been a tough year for everyone, so everyone deserves a bit of a break,” says festival managing director Michele Maheux. And judging by the press release, it’s good to see they’re not phoning it in with the freebies: planned events include appearances by Neil Young, George A. Romero, Joan Baez, Sapphire and many more. The full list, after the jump.
Follow Toronto Life on Twitter, Facebook and via RSS