Montreal's International Film Fest 2002

How many celebrities can keep throngs of fans waiting for about 45 minutes? That thought went through my head yesterday as I waited patiently for Robert De Niro’s entrance. Finally, “Bobby” showed up, yet 45 minutes late, no one seemed to mind. 360 degrees of cheers and ovations echoed within “The Complex.” The jammed packed audience hung on every word De Niro conveyed throughout the press conference. De Niro talked about the making of his most recent film, City By The Sea and he also spoke about filming in Montreal and thanked Montrealers for our “kindness.” Robert De Niro permeates a magnetic energy that defies conventional explanation; he’s a class act, that’s why Serge Losique has been trying to lasso him to The Festival for the previous 15 years. Let’s not compare our Film Fest to Cannes or that other Film Fest down the 401. So far, half way into this year’s Film Fest and I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself as much at any other previous Film Festival. Give Serge Losique two thumps up for taking several giant strides in the right direction. Our Film Festival is developing into exactly what it should be, fun.