Rotten Tomatoes’ Grae Drake is Ready for her Close-up!

She’s the Senior Editor of Rotten Tomatoes and the wildest dressed film critic on the junket. Grae Drake talks about her extraordinary style, the movie that made her hug a stranger and Samuel L. Jackson reading her wedding vows.

TorontoVerve: How would you describe your style? 

Grae Drake: My style is whatever feels right for me in the moment. It’s really something that I feel works because if I have to think about it too much then I don’t know what works. It’s really an intangible thing.

TV: How does fashion play a part in your job? 

GD: Because a lot of my job is about media, doing appearances and being on television, I have to think about how I look more often than I would prefer to, but when I do, the way that I make it more meaningful to me is to use it as an expression of what’s going on with me. One of the things that is super important in the way that I present myself is that when I’m walking into an interview, it tells someone who I am. Having pink hair to start with and adding things on top of it may tell people that my crazy level is maybe at the ceiling, but then when I begin talking, they realize that it’s just a couple of feet below that. It’s nice to lull people into a false sense of security. Generally, I think that my style gravitates towards being fun.

TV: What was the best celebrity reaction to your style? 

GD: Overall, people’s reaction toward my style is so positive. That tells me ultimately that I’m doing the right thing. One of the best reactions happened when I was doing Iron Man 3 interviews. I had an Iron Man shirt that lit up like his power source in the chest. It was just a t-shirt and I had a cute jacket over it with a skirt. I also had high top, laced-up black sequined Converse, which are my favourite go-to shoes. So I walked into Gwyneth Paltrow’s room and I had a pre-conceived notion of who she was and what she might be like. And the minute that I walked into the room, she was like “Oh, my God! What is happening with you? You are the coolest person that I’ve ever seen. Before we even start your interview time, I have to find out everything.” We sat there and we talked for about a minute — totally off the clock because she knew I only had only four minutes and it would take me a lot longer than that to describe what I wearing. She was so nice to me and supportive. In subsequent interviews, she remembered me and we’re always chatting about what’s going on and what we’re wearing. She’s so nice and funny and that surprised me. It was a good lesson because she responded to what was in my heart.

TV: Colour is a big part of your personality. 

GD: I think so. The hair evolution took a long time and it was something that I never thought I would have. I’ve had a lot of hair colours. I was blond when I visited my current hair dresser Tonia Jost many moons ago. I was going through a break-up and I told her that I was feeling emotionally vulnerable and I just wanted to be brown again. And very gently she said, “I don't think you’re a brunette.” I told her to do her thing. I trust her and she’s very empathetic. She does things for your inside as much as your outside and that’s how pink started. It’s funny — I think back to me in high school when I had very long brown hair and I want to tell that girl that she’s going to grow up to become a girl with a pink mohawk and that’s going to feel right. [Laughs]

TV: Who styles your outrageous costumes for your interviews? 

GD: In the past, I have done the majority of work for my interviews on my own. I do style myself, but now the Rotten Tomatoes team is growing and supporting me in new ways. One of the biggest style achievements that I’ve been able to attain is largely due to Quentin Owens who helped me make four of the most amazing costumes for the San Diego Comic Con. Working with Quentin was the first time that I was able to actually collaborate with someone who knew better than I did about how to achieve something that didn’t exist. He’s amazing.

TV: You’ve mentioned the special connection that you’ve had with Gwyneth Paltrow. You’ve built relationships with the people you’ve interviewed. One that comes to mind is Samuel L. Jackson. 

GD: Ooohhh, I love Sam.

TV: How did your friendship with Sam even start? Was it developed through social media? 

GD: The first time I talked to Sam was at Comic Con and I was dressed as Lady Riddler. The look on his face when he realized that he was going to be interviewed by Lady Riddler was priceless. I put my hand out and I said, “Hi, Mr. Jackson. My name is Grae” and he said, “No, no, no. We’re going to hug.” [Laughs] And I was like “Yay!” The vibe was so amazing. I don’t know where it came from, but I asked him if he wanted to hear some riddles and he was like, “Hell, yes. I want to hear some riddles.” After that we followed each other on Twitter and exchanged messages. I think one of the reasons that we’ve continued to get along is because I feel the most understood by him out of the majority of people that I’ve spoken to. He really understands that I love movies. I like creating a real moment in a very artificial environment of junket interviews. He really gets me. And he read my wedding vows to my husband. [Laughs] Because every time I started reading my vows, I started to cry so I thought maybe I could just play them for my husband. If I could pick someone who gets me and read them in the voice that makes sense, it would be Sam. So I played Sam’s recording of my vows. What’s great about my husband is he was surprised and delighted, and then he was not surprised at all: “Oh, yeah. Of course. Sam Jackson read your wedding vows.” Sam is just like the most gracious, professional and warmest person. What’s even funnier is when most people speak to him, they think he’s going to be like his movie roles. The thing that I’ve learned most about is that the meanest people in the movies are often the nicest people in real life. And Sam definitely likes to play with that and when he senses that someone is nervous and thinks that he’s going to be Jules from Pulp Fiction, he likes to mess with them, and I like to mess with people too. Maybe that’s why we get along so well.

TV: Which movie you don’t want people to miss this year? 

GD: I feel that Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit was a watershed moment in my movie viewing because the way that it hit me finally dislodged something in my brain that I didn’t even know was there. In the movie there are two white girls who are completely outraged at what’s going on in the Algiers motel and they’re being mistreated terribly [by the police officers]. I thought, “Oh, my God. They have no idea that other people are being mistreated like this every day and they are so outraged that it happened to them. Now they see it when it’s happening to them.” The thing that Detroit did was help me understand that there was a part of me that was like them. And even though I still don't fully have that experience, I understand that I don’t understand. That’s big.

TV: It’s so interesting that you’re saying that because black film critics are saying that Detroit wasn’t made for Blacks because we’re all too familiar with racism. It was made for white people so they can understand the horrors of anti-black racism. 

GD: I was so moved and horrified. It was so important for me to see it. I saw it in a mostly empty theatre and I felt bad for the guy sitting near me because he had to hear me sobbing through the whole movie. When the credits were rolling, I was trying to calm down. I knew the guy was still there and I was super embarrassed. Finally I looked up at him and he just opened his arms and I totally hugged a stranger after that movie. I wondered: What are we going to do about this? It really makes me sad that no one saw Detroit. It’s not the kind of movie that I can tell people that they’ll have fun watching. It’s not that kind of movie. It’s important. It’s been an emotional year for some Americans. People want to escape and I understand why people don’t necessarily want to spend their hard earned money on their date night to see that film, but I really want them to so we can all talk about it. And I’m hoping when it gets all these award nominations that it will spur people to go and see it — in spite of the difficult time that they’re going to have watching it.

TV: I’m going to close on a "Pop Culture Happy Hour" question: What's making Grae Drake happy these days? 

GD: I really like Fall movie season a lot and I really like kicking it off [at TIFF]. It just feels right for my Southern California self. I’m happy that it looks like we’re going to see some new stuff. We don’t have to sit through the same movies about the same people anymore. I’m really jazzed about that. And I’m also a huge pumpkin spice latte person. The Fall is the best. [Laughs]

* * * 

Follow Grae Drake on Twitter and Instagram.

Jae

Stevie Nicks' nomadic, flowy scarves and witchy elements inspire me. I practice contemporary witchcraft and magic factors into the way I dress.

Check out Jae's Instagram to learn about his spiritual explorations. "I do a lot of stuff with ancestral work. I feel that a lot of us -- especially People of Colour and queer and trans people of colour are really disconnected with our ancestry because sometimes we have to leave our family behind in order to be who we need to be. But the homophobia and the violence and oppression towards us comes from colonization and systematic erasure. If we go back far enough in our ancestry and look at our pre-Christian cultures and traditions, we see that queerness was celebrated. And what we call queerness was considered holy and sacred. I blog about how I reconnect with that and I try to help others reconnect with that too."

Brenda

Sidney

I have an intimate relationship with what I wear.  I work with a lot of symbolism and things that develop from my experiences. It's who I am in a deeper sense. Sometimes I'll be feeling a certain way and I'll wear something that expresses that. Or I'll intuitively wear something that I'm not really sure why and then something will align that helps me realize what it is I'm going through that connects with that energy. So it's a certain art of bringing the sacred connection back into material form, which really resonates with me because in a lot of ways we're disconnected with that. It doesn't have to be that way. Everything is divine.

Julia

Julia: If a circus collided with a piñata  -- that would be me. That's my style.

TorontoVerve: What's the best advice that you've received?

Julia: You wouldn't care how much people thought about you if you realized how little they do. That was from my mom -- given to her from a friend's mother when she was younger. I figure that if you pretend to be really confident, people aren't going to look closely to find out that you're not. There's that and there's also: always make the bed in a hotel room before you leave because you find stuff.

Janaya

My dad told me, "F@#k society. Do whatever you please." I struggled for a while trying to find myself. I'm from a small town and the people were very judgemental. My dad saw what I was going through and gave me that piece of advice. It's helped. I know exactly what I want now.

Black Girl Nerds in the Six!

The Black Girl Nerds are making a name for themselves in the media industry with their unique perspective on all things nerdy like comics, video games, movies, television and fandom culture.

I spoke to founder Jamie Broadnax and her team while they were in town for TIFF.

[Pictured from Left to right: Founder Jamie Broadnax, Kyndal Wilson, Lauren Warren, Kay-B & Jacqueline Coley]

TorontoVerve: There was a time when being a nerd was something to be ashamed of. Now people are embracing it. How do you think that cultural shift happened and when did you realize that you were a part of it? 

Jamie: The term “nerd” is elusive. It means different things to different people. I think now people want to own their sense of identity in a very unique way and they’re building communities off of that.

Lauren: I guess I’ve always accepted that my likes weren’t necessarily in line with everyone else’s. I didn’t really know if it made me a nerd or not, but I just knew that it made me “me”. I didn’t know that other people enjoyed the same things.

Kay-B: The “nerd” community has definitely gotten a bit larger. It’s become more of an embracive environment.

TV: Jamie, when did the idea of BGN come to you and how did you bring it together? 

Jamie: In February 2012, I googled the term “Black Girl Nerds” and nothing came up so I decided to create a Blogger account with that name. Literally within 24 hours, a published author reached out to me and said, “I want to write content with you.” Then it slowly began to build into this online community — when at first, it was all about me and my personal musings. Now we do meet ups all over the country and go to Comic-Cons. [Black Girl Nerds] is a safe place for women where they can express themselves in a way that they haven’t quite been able to do before.

[Founder Jamie Broadnax]

TV: What was the reception like for BGN? 

Jamie: The biggest one was in the September 2013 issue of Marie Claire Magazine when Shonda Rhimes said that I’m one of her favourite people to follow on Twitter. That’s what made it real. She even Tweeted to me about Comic Book Day. It’s remarkable to see how celebrities have reacted to it.

Kay-B: It’s grown so much. I just did an interview here at the Toronto International Film Festival and they were like, “Oh my God! Black Girl Nerds! I’m so excited! This is so awesome.” Over the years, what Jamie has built has dramatically increased and celebrities and our followers have really been positive and receptive to the brand.

 [Kyndal Wilson] 

TV: When I was a kid playing with friends, I never wanted to be the black guy from TV shows or movies because there was nothing special about them. That all changed when I saw Miami Vice and Philip Michael Thomas' Tubbs. For the first time, there was someone I admired and looked up to. When did that moment happen for you all? 

Lauren: I thought about this a few weeks ago when I saw the #FirstTimeISawMe hashtag. Desna from Claws really resonates with me. Desna is taking care of everyone except herself. Has everyone’s best interest in mind except her own. She’s always last. Everyone else comes first. But we’re talking about the year 2017. That’s a long time for me to watch TV and see a true reflection of myself.

Kay-B: For me, it was The Cosby Show. Seeing a dynamic Black family in different shades on TV meant a lot to me. Claire Huxtable was the epitome of the mom that you wanted to see. She was fierce and a [tough disciplinarian], but she also made sure that her kids knew that they were loved. She was someone who I looked up to and aspired to be.

Jamie: Netflix partnered with BGN for the #FirstTimeISawMe campaign. Kay-B, Afiya, Joi and Connie participated in it. We all shared our experiences of the first time that we saw ourselves reflected in media and it was so cool to see that hashtag go viral because of the BGN community. I’m so proud that we were a part of that campaign.

[Lauren Warren]

TV: Jessica Chastain recently said at Cannes that she was displeased with the state of women in the film selections. How do you feel about it after seeing some TIFF films? 

Lauren: Well, 40% of TIFF shorts were directed by women, which is a vast jump from last year, but it’s not indicative of what they could be doing. I think TIFF is doing more than what most festivals do. There’s always room for improvement for writers, directors and producers. I can understand her disappointment, but for her disappointment, there are many other people who see far less of themselves and who reap fewer benefits. There are some solutions that need to be brought up and she can do something to help because she has some clout. So you’re disappointed. What are you going to do to fix it?

Kay-B: Yeah, be a part of the change.

Lauren: Bring me solutions not problems.

Jamie: It’s not always about White women. It’s also Women of Colour. In those feminist arguments, they don’t see Women of Colour in the spectrum — they only see White women. That’s why intersectionality exists.

[Kay-B]

TV: I’ve been rather vocal on Twitter about whitewashing in film -- especially about Ed Skrein and Hell Boy. Do you feel him stepping down from the role will change things in Hollywood? 

Lauren: It’s a drop in the bucket, but I hope that it shows actors that they do need to start being held accountable for their actions. [Movie] producers no longer have the option to say, “But I need a bankable star.” Bankability doesn’t necessarily equate to responsibility and Ed was being responsible when the producers were not — so kudos to him.

Kay-B: It’s a wonderful first step, but going forward two things could happen. Either actors can continue to step down or [filmmakers] can properly cast from the beginning. You don’t have to go through this process at all.

TV: Lauren, the world was recently introduced to the first Black Bachelorette and you and Joi covered it on your podcast. So what do you think? Has the show been a leap forward for race in television or have we stepped back enormously? 

Lauren: I wouldn’t necessarily call it a leap. I’m going to say that we took a very small half baby step and every time we hear about Shonda Rhimes getting deals with Netflix or Will Packer & Aaron McGruder getting deals to do shows like Black America on Amazon, those are good steps. They’re not leaps. It will be a while before we see leaps. We need more [People of Colour] in power to make those leaps happen.

[Jacqueline Coley] 

TV: I’ve been wanting a Wonder Woman movie since the TV show so I was really excited about seeing it. I was happy to see Black Amazonians on Themyscira, but disappointed that we didn't get to spend more time there and possibly learn more about them. What were your feelings about the film? 

Jamie: The absence of Nubia was telling. As a comic book reader and someone well versed with Black women in comics, I would have liked to have seen her. I would have liked to see them hang out on Themyscira for a while because the little bit of Black women that we did get…they only had one line. Wonder Woman was revolutionary for White women, but not so much for Women of Colour. That’s something that still needs to be recognized and talked about when we see these films with White female protagonists.

TV: What can we expect from BGN in the future? 

Lauren: Growth, expansion — definitely more Comic-Cons.

Kay-B: More video content and podcasts.

Lauren: And more live Tweets.

Kay-B: There are a new slew of shows coming this Fall so we’ll have new live Tweets. Obviously, we’ll continue to be a respected media outlet and brand and be able to sit at the table with everyone else.

[Carolyn Hinds]

Follow Black Girl Nerds on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook.

Lucie

Henri-Abraham

My style is definitely my own. I did the cut of my shirt myself to make it more sexy. My fashion is inspired by the sun, which represents warmth, light and beauty. If the sun can shine every day, so can all of us.

Check out Henri-Abraham's style blog, Into the World.

TIFF Talk: Laurie, "Village Rockstars"

Name: Laurie from Toronto

The Film: Village Rockstars (India)

What's it about? 

It's a coming of age film about a young Indian girl who wants nothing more than to become a rock star. The only problem is her widowed mother can't afford to buy her a real guitar.

Did you like it?

I loved the film. It sort of played like a doc in so many ways. It has patient storytelling and you forgot that there was a film crew and a director directing actors because it felt so incredibly authentic. I don't want to give too much away, but this child learns the value of hanging onto a dream despite the fact that society around her believes it's not a girl's place to dream about being a rock star. She also gets berated for climbing trees with boys. It's a film that spoke to the little rebel and rock star in me. The story is reminiscent of my younger days running around wanting to do things that were traditionally male-oriented. I was especially moved by the mother/daughter relationship and how the mother supported her daughter's dreams.

Village Rockstars currently has no official release date.

Trailer

 

TIFF Talk 2017: Richelle, "Sammy Davis Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me"

Name: Richelle from Toronto

The Film: Sammy Davis Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (USA)

What's it about? 

A documentary based on the life and times of performer Sammy Davis Jr.

Did you like it?

I loved it. There were lots of things that I didn't know about Sammy Davis Jr. and I, like many, made several assumptions about him. Maybe we should feel a little ashamed about that because he did open a lot of doors for People of Colour in the entertainment industry. I think that his legacy will definitely live on. The movie captured the essence of who he was.

I'll be honest. As a Black woman, I did have some of the same views that he was a "sell out". He was often the butt of the joke with his affiliation with the Brat Pack -- the uncle tom, etc. etc. Also his marriages to White women impacted how he was received in the Black community.

Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised. I'm glad that I came to the screening. It's really challenged my thinking of who he was. Audiences will love it. For those who don't know his story, they're going to be amazed and impressed. For those who already know Davis' history, they're also going to be amazed and impressed.

Sammy Davis Jr: I've Gotta Be Me will be released sometime next year.


Trailer

TIFF 2017: Director Matt Embry "Living Proof" Documentary

As the film title says, director Matt Embry is "living proof" that there are effective alternatives to fighting Multiple Sclerosis than conventional pharmaceuticals, but you won't hear his inspirational story from Big Pharma or research corporations like the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.

At 18, Embry was diagnosed with MS. Shortly after, his father, Ashton Embry Ph.D, dedicated himself to finding answers in scientific literature. When he discovered a link between MS and nutrition, his son eventually began to show great progress in fending off the incurable disease. But when his father shared his promising medical treatment to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, the nation's largest MS research company, they didn't want to hear it. Strange -- especially when Matt Embry doesn't show any symptoms of the disease -- even to this day, twenty-two years later.

Living Proof is a heartfelt film that follows the director's journey of coming to terms with his looming infliction. It's also an engaging exposé that shines the spotlight on what appears to be corporate collusion to continue to profit on the sick (i.e. MS patients are kept in the dark about cheaper medical alternatives and encouraging experimental treatments are tied up in FDA bureaucracy).

In the Q&A, Matt Embry emphasized that he's not a doctor or researcher, he's just advocating for change. "I believe that the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada is important to have. They have programs that are supporting people. The question is: What can that change look like? That's what we're trying to get to."

Living Proof currently has no release date.

To learn more, visit Matt Embry's website MSHope.com. 

Trailer

TIFF Talk 2017: Rocio, "A Fantastic Woman"

Name: Rocio from Toronto

The Film: A Fantastic Woman (Chile)

What's it about?

[After her partner unexpectedly passes away, a transgender woman clashes with his disapproving family.]

Did you like it?

I really liked it. It's very moving. It's set in Santiago, Chile where Trans women are not seen as real women. The situation in Santiago is not the greatest for the trans community. Society there is very religious and highly Catholic -- so seeing a film for and by LGBT people from Latin America is very powerful.

Some audiences will find it shocking or intense. It has some violent scenes, but it's an eye-opener to the realities of many women in South America.

Daniela Vega, the lead actress, gave a wonderful performance and I hope that she reaps all the benefits of that. I feel that the art community in Santiago loves to tell stories like this one, but it hasn't fully embraced the LGBT lifestyle. Hopefully that will change in the near future.

A Fantastic Woman is in theatres beginning November 17th.

Trailer 

TIFF Talk 2017: Carrie, "mother!"

Name: Carrie from Toronto

The Film: mother! (USA)

What's it about?

It's a story about mother, but it's not like somebody's mother, it's the nature of mom.

Did you like it?

I'm not really sure if I like it because I just finished watching it. I still have to organize my thoughts. However, if I compared it to Black Swan, I much prefer Black Swan. I found this movie difficult to understand, but I would still recommend it to my friends. It's really crazy and out there. It's an original. There's just really so much to take in. It's scary. I felt like I couldn't breath.

It'll definitely be polarizing. A lot of people around me loved it and I think a lot of people will dislike it too.

mother! is in theatres this Friday.

Trailer

Talking with Film Reporter Alicia Malone, Author of Backwards & In Heels

The only thing I love as much as watching movies is talking about movies and that’s why I was thrilled to talk to film reporter Alicia Malone. Malone is the host of the weekly show Indie Movie Guide on Fandango, and a host on Filmstruck, a movie streaming service by the Criterion Collection and Turner Classic Movies.

Malone was in Toronto to cover TIFF and promote her first book, Backwards & In Heels: The Past, Present And Future of Women Working In Film.

TorontoVerve: How did you become so passionate about film?

Alicia Malone: It started at an early age. My dad loved classic movies, so he used to drag me out of bed at night to watch the late night classic films. My mom also loved movies, and we would go to the video store every week and I would get 7 films for 7 days for 7 dollars. It wasn’t until I was a bit older at school that I realized that it was kind of a strange thing that not everyone loved classic movies as much as I did. But luckily, I now found the dream job where I get to see movies for a living.

TV: Do you recall the movie that really got you interested in film?

AM: I remember that Rear Window by Alfred Hitchcock was one of the first films that I saw that made me realize that someone was making it. That it was a director, that it was his vision, and that everything was there for a purpose. I thought that was really fascinating, so that led me to start reading film books and film history books to try to learn more about the art of cinema. I never went to university, so I studied on my own — trying to watch all the classics and figure out why they were so important.

TV: What got you the most frustrated and the most excited when doing research for your book?

AM: Most frustrated was how often this happens: how every time that there is a movie that’s successful that’s directed by a woman or starring women, how it seems to be a fresh surprise to Hollywood – and then they quickly forget about it. I noticed when I stepped back and started researching the whole history of American cinema how many peaks and troughs there were for women. That was frustrating because it seems like history repeats itself time and time again for gender and racial diversity. But the most exciting thing was when I was talking to people like Ava DuVernay, Geena Davis and JJ Abrams — people who are working inside of Hollywood to try and change things — they were so optimistic about the future that it made me excited for the future of Hollywood.

TV: Which female filmmaker's story resonated with you the most?

AM: I love the story of Lois Weber who was one of the earliest female filmmakers of the world. In 1916, she had the highest grossing movie and it was a film about abortion. She was someone who was focused on social issues and paired that with incredible visual images. I love her story because she also helped a lot of women get into the business. She was a great mentor. She was very strong with her vision and paved the way for so many women in the future.

TV: I really appreciate the diversity in your book and how you shared stories about People of Colour like Hattie McDaniel, Anna May Wong, Dorothy Dandridge and Pam Grier, to name a few.

AM: I try to be inclusive as possible. I’m a white girl from Australia, so I don’t know these stories. I don’t know what it feels like to be a person of colour in America. I tried to consult as many diversity experts as I could and do interviews, and then come at it from like a fact-based thing. But I wanted to tell their stories. It’s hard enough being a white woman, let alone a woman of colour in this industry.

TV: Geena Davis told you after Thelma & Louise and A League of Their Own that she thought "everything would be different" for women in film. And it wasn't. Now that Patty Jenkins has broken all records and expectations with the success of Wonder Woman, how hopeful are you that "everything will be different”?

AM: I’m cautiously optimistic. I’ve seen some articles now about Wonder Woman saying, “Everything is different now. Everything is getting better because Wonder Woman is successful.” But we don’t have another female-led superhero film until 2019 with Captain Marvel. And if you look at the statistics of today’s Hollywood, nothing has really changed. However, I remain hopeful because of the level of conversation, and that’s brought about with social media which we didn’t have back in those days. I think that there’s a real awareness now that there’s an issue, and I don’t think that people are as willing to let the studios get away with it as they used to, and we saw that recently with Ed Skrein and the whitewashing issue with Hell Boy. He stepped down from that because people — rightly so — took to social media and there was an uproar about it. So, I think that with the level of conversation, it’s virtually impossible for studios to get away with it now. They’re not going to change by themselves, but they will change because we will push them to change [Update: As of yesterday, Hawaii Five-O's Daniel Dae Kim will be playing the role vacated by Skrein].

TV: It’s concerning that Warner Bros. hasn’t signed Patty Jenkins yet to direct the Wonder Woman sequel [Update: As of two days ago, Warner Bros. has rehired Patty Jenkins to direct the sequel].

AM: It is. Yeah, it’s really concerning. I’m hoping that she gets signed to the sequel and gets a good decent amount of pay. Again, it was frustrating to see people say, “Wow! We didn’t know that this woman could direct a superhero film, and it’s been successful.” For Jenkins, she directed Charlize Theron in Monster, and it was 14 years between her two feature films, and that’s ridiculous.

TV: There would be a huge outcry if Warner Bros. didn’t rehire her.

AM: Exactly. They’re going to be under pressure, and that’s a good thing.

TV: What are your thoughts about this trend of all-female versions of male dominated films: Ghostbusters, Ocean’s Eight, and now the newly announced Lord of the Flies?

AM: I know. [Laughs] I’m dubious about Lord of the Flies because it seems like it’s the anti-version of Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman showed a utopia filled with women, and I think these days we don’t need to see women tearing down other women because we get that narrative so often in reality TV shows and tabloid magazines. But I do think in terms of Ghostbusters, etc., it’s a start. It’s a simple way to get more women on screen. The same with Ocean’s Eight because they know that the franchise will work. It’s a safer bet than an original film. Obviously, what I want is original stories made for women, made by women, telling stories about women. That’s when there’s real change, but it’s a step in the right direction.

TV: Made by women. Yes, because Lord of the Flies will be written by two men.

AM: Yes, written by two men and probably directed by a man, and I think it will lose some of the nuance. Lady Bird, which is playing here at TIFF, is a great female-driven film because director Greta Gerwig put her personal story into it. It’s a coming-of-age story about a girl going off to college. The mother/daughter relationship rings so true, and Saoirse Ronan’s character is so realistic. You can really tell the difference.

TV: With Colin Trevorrow exiting Star Wars, a lot of people on social media are calling for a woman to direct a Star Wars movie. JJ Abrams would love to see Ava DuVernay direct one [Update: As of today, JJ Abrams will be writing and directing Episode IX]. Why do you think Disney should consider a female director?

AM: I think they should to show that it can be done. One thing that I’m concerned about – which is why all the directors are leaving – is because the franchise is so important. The brand to the studio is more important than the people in it. They want to protect their brand at all cost, which means there’s less ability to make an original story and have original voices like directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller who have a unique sense of style. What they wanted for the franchise clashed with the studio, so they got rid of them. I would love to see someone like Ava DuVernay, who has proven herself as a director, get a chance at something like Star Wars just to show that women can direct a big action movie like we saw with Wonder Woman, but only if they get their own opportunity to have their voice, and not have to just paint-by-numbers to fill in a franchise.

TV: Did it surprise you when Kathleen Kennedy first came out and said that a woman can’t direct a Star Wars movie?

AM: Yeah, it surprised me when she said that nobody has asked her and they should just pick up the phone. I think that’s a very hard thing to do. I don’t think that she’s that easily accessible, and there is this misnomer that people say to me all the time on Twitter, “Maybe women just don’t want to direct Star Wars.” No, Star Wars is universal. Everybody loves Star Wars. There’s so many fans of different genders and backgrounds. I think that Star Wars is for everyone. It shouldn’t be a surprise that women can or want to direct Star Wars. So, I was hoping for her to be more of an ally for women. Now is her chance.

TV: You mentioned Patty Jenkins and her 14-year gap between Monster and Wonder Woman. It frustrates me when I see white males, like Colin Trevorrow, get their big shot at a major franchise after a few indie films. 

AM: Yeah, it’s so true. Colin made a small film (Safety Not Guaranteed), which was great and very well-received at Sundance. But then he went to Jurassic World — such a big jump for him. That’s what I discovered in writing the book that the pipeline is not the same. That women can make these small interesting films at Sundance and Toronto and other festivals. They can be successful and win awards – but once they have to move up the system and ask for more money from studios or financiers, that’s where they get blocked; because it’s still seen as a risk to give money to female directors rather than male directors. Whereas Colin Trevorrow, he got the job on Jurassic World because [Director] Brad Bird said, “I know a guy who reminds me of me.” And it’s that kind of thing of like they just feel safer if it’s a white guy. It’s just so unfair that it doesn’t work the same way — that pipeline or that jump up for women.

TV: I guess things could change if more women with power in Hollywood speak up — like Jessica Chastain did at Cannes recently. 

AM: Yes, and she’s someone who has made an active difference – not only speaking up at Cannes – but also vowing to work with female filmmakers, and she’s got a movie at TIFF (Woman Walks Ahead) directed by a woman. She’s really someone who practices what she preaches, and we need more of that in the industry.

TV: Your dream is to run your own one-screen theatre. What would your first double feature be, and why? 

AM: [Laughs] Oh, that’s such a good question. If I were to do a double feature of a great female filmmaker, it would have to be Dorothy Arzner. She was the only female filmmaker working during the 1930s. She was a feminist. She was outspoken. She made these great movies. So, I would program Christopher Strong (1933) which starred Katharine Hepburn as a female aviator, and follow it with Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) which is a very scathing look about women in entertainment. That would be my Dorothy Arzner double feature. It would be awesome. One day, I will have my theatre. One day.

***

Alicia Malone’s book Backwards & In Heels: The Past, Present And Future of Women Working In Film is available on Amazon and in book stores everywhere. 

Check out Alicia’s playlist of some of her favourite dynamic leading lady performances on Fandango Now. 

Follow Alicia on Twitter.

TIFF 2017: Director Maggie Betts & Her "Novitiate" Cast

[Pictured left to right: Maddie Hasson, Rebecca Dayan, Director Maggie Betts, Margaret Qualley, Dianna Agron & Melissa Leo]

In 2008, I saw a young director's amazing film debut at TIFF. I loved everything about his movie and I remember telling myself, if it ended at this very moment, it would be perfect. Suddenly it cut to black and the end-credits rolled. I was floored. The director spoke to everyone who wanted to talk to him in the theatre lobby and I waited patiently to meet him. I finally got my one-on-one and enthusiastically shared my great admiration for his film. He was so delighted by my comments, he gave me his card. When we parted, I thought, "That guy is going to have an extraordinary film career." The movie was Medicine for Melancholy and that director was Barry Jenkins. That story comes to mind because after seeing the masterful Novitiate, I strongly believe that writer/director Maggie Betts is destined to have the same trajectory as the Moonlight director. 

Set in 1964 amidst the great reforms of the Catholic church, Novitiate tells the story of a young girl (Margaret Qualley) discovering her love affair with Christ as she and her peers endure their Reverend Mother's (Melissa Leo) wrath. 

"Love and sacrifice" is their mantra, but we scarcely see any semblance of love in the nunnery. Inevitably, we -- along with the nuns-in-training -- begin to wonder if their sacrifice is worth the price.

Betts handles her characters respectfully and although their devotion to God is intense, we never dismiss them as mere fanatics. Even Leo's sadistic Mother isn't depicted as a complete monster. She genuinely believes in what she's doing to make the young women in her image. 

Novitiate comes highly recommended and is confirmation that Betts is a new auteur to watch for. 

Coming to theatres on October 27th.

Trailer

TIFF Talk 2017: Dryden Rainbow, "I, Tonya"

Name: Dryden Rainbow from Toronto

The Film: I, Tonya (USA)

What's it about?

The film follows 1990's figure skater Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) who was involved in a huge scandal with her skating rival, Nancy Kerrigan, around the 1994 Olympics. It's about her and her husband (Sebastian Stan) in kind of in a faux documentary.

Did you like it?

I really liked it. I knew nothing about the scandal. It happened when I was very young so I did not follow it at the time. The movie reminded me a lot of The Big Short in terms of being a serious biopic, but also being funny. I, Tonya has a lot of comedy in it.

I saw the film mostly because Allison Janney is in it. She's one of most favourite actresses. She plays Tonya Harding's mother and she's the worst mother who has good intentions, but poor execution.

The film made me feel sympathetic towards Tonya Harding. I watch the Olympics every year and the film reminded me of the controversy with U.S. gymnast Gabby Douglas.  Four years ago, everyone was supporting Gabby and this year she didn't hold her hand on her chest during the national anthem and everyone vilified her. It's weird how we vilify young women who just want to compete for their country. Obviously, this crazy pattern has been happening for a long time.


I, Tonya will be released sometime next year.

TIFF Talk 2017: Andrew, "Call Me By Your Name"

Name: Andrew from Toronto

The Film: Call Me By Your Name (Italy/France)

What's it about?

It's a coming of age story about a young man who's trying to come to terms with his [sexual] identity.

Did you like it?

I really love the film. As a queer male myself I thought it captured a lot of things that I went through in my youth. I would say that it's a great representation of the young male experience coming to terms. It's beautifully shot. The music was perfectly paired. The script is beautiful, but that's because the source material is beautiful.

I think audiences will receive it really well. I think it requires people to really sink into it and allow themselves to become lost in it -- otherwise you might find its two hours and 10 minutes running time too long.

The performances were great. The young man played by Timothée Chalamet was exceptional. I've never seen him in anything before so I was really taken by him. I think Armie Hammer was incredible, but I think he's always incredible. I think he's really bold for taking on the role. Traditionally he's your archetypal male lead so for him to take on this role that challenges him in this way and to conquer it the way that he did, I thought was amazing.

I had a hard time buying into their relationship at first, but as the two of them sort of allowed themselves to buy into it, I was totally sold by the end.

I love everything about it.


Call Me By Your Name will be in theatres on November 24th. 

Trailer

 

TIFF 2017: Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami

Grace Jones scared me as a kid and not in a bad way. Her brute strength and larger then life persona overwhelmed my senses. In fact, I thought her fierce image and wild album covers were unworldly. Grace Jones was more powerful than anybody I knew -- man or woman. James Bond didn't have a more formidable foe. That's what I felt as a little boy growing up in Montreal and that's how I still feel as a man in my 40's -- especially after catching the World Premiere of her new documentary, Bloodlight and Bami, at the opening of TIFF last night.

Directed by Sophie Fiennes (The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology), the film follows the 69 year old singer on tour and captures charming moments of her family reunion in Jamaica. We see much of the Grace that we know and love on stage, but offstage, we're treated to a stripped down version of the iconic performer. Gone are the flamboyant hats, androgynous costumes and dynamic make-up. In Bloodlight and Bami, we not only see Jones in her civilian-wear, we also get to see her as a loving daughter and sister. Interestingly, when she communicates with her family, she drops her English/American accent and code switches to Jamaican patois. We get a strong sense that these are genuine family moments and that Jones is not performing for the camera. But when she does perform, it's hysterical. After having trouble opening an oyster, she casually says, "This is a tight muscle. I wish my p#ssy was this tight." Another funny moment happens when she shares her disgust for a tacky stage where she has to perform with all-female dancers. "I feel like a lesbian madame in a whore house!"

Jones attended the premiere and acknowledged that she's always been in control of her image, but put her trust in Fiennes with displaying her less than flattering side. "At times I felt that my tummy was a bit fat," Jones told the audience. "Ahh, I told myself, let your vanity go for once. It was freedom. It made me a stronger person." Who thought Grace Jones needed to be stronger?

Bloodlight and Bami has no scheduled release date.


Trailer

TIFF Talk 2017: Stacey McKenzie, "Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami"

Name: Model Stacey McKenzie

The Film: Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami (UK)

What's it about?

Documentary based on the life of singer/model Grace Jones.

Did you like it?

I thought it was amazing. It was so raw and real. She didn't hold back. She said in the Q&A that she's usually in control of her image because she's vain, but in the film she just let loose. I really liked that about her. I liked seeing Grace's vulnerable side and not just the persona that we usually see on stage and in pictures.

Grace Jones always meant the world to me because growing up in Kingston, Jamaica and not looking and sounding like the typical black chick, she was the one that I was able to relate to. For me, seeing her pursue her dreams and make it despite [all the odds] inspired me to reach my dreams and goals.

[During the Q&A], when I went on stage to meet her, she recognized me. 10 years ago in Vienna, I actually walked with her for a show and got to hang out with her for the day. We haven't seen each other since. Seeing her again tonight and to be able to tell her how much she's changed my life and the lives for many black girls and people in general was great. It might have been tacky, but I had to go for it. This was my one chance. I knew it was a sign when the interviewer asked, "Are there any Jamaicans here?" It was the perfect opportunity.


I previously captured Stacey's cool street style 7 years ago.

Jessica

Jessica: A lot of what I'm wearing is from thrift stores, sales or hand me downs. I just kinda put them all together. I like mashing things together that normally wouldn't be mashed together.

TorontoVerve: What's the best advice that you've received?

Jessica: To live in the moment, be present and appreciative of living.

I captured Jessica's street style 5 years ago near Kensington Market.

Allix

Allix: My style is inspired by my ancestry and ancient cultures. I like to wear a lot of handcrafted jewellery from West Africa -- pieces that have a story.

TorontoVerve: What's the best advice that you've received?

Allix: It's OK to counter public opinion because often public opinion isn't based on truth. For instance we hear that we should respect all elders, but there should be an understanding that not all elders should be respected. Just because someone is older than you doesn't mean that they merit respect. There's the spirit of the law and there's the letter of the law. We should always pay attention to the spirit of the law.

Hannah

My style is bohemian, flower-power, Victorian tea lady with a little bit of witchy woman. Ever since I was a little girl I wore outrageous outfits that were unique and rich with character. I always embody myself in what I wear.

The Bampot is the most magical place in Toronto. It's a bohemian tea house. It is a niche within a niche. It has over 125 different blends of tea. It has live music on Sunday nights, you can play board games and there's life drawings. It's like an open living room concept artistic community centre. It's the one place where everybody can be themselves.

I work here and I'm super invested in helping create and grow this place. I'm very passionate about tea, music, art and the bohemian lifestyle. Come visit us. You will not regret it.

Bampot is located at 201 Harbord Street.

Anh

Laura Lace

If you're looking to add a little spark to your mundane wardrobe, then you need to head over to The Shop Til You Drop Dead Market this long weekend. 

I recently spoke to the owner and founder, Laura Lace, who shared details about her fierce style and what you'll find at the market.

"I like to incorporate fashion from different eras from the alternative scene like vintage, punk, burlesque, corsets, goth and metal. It all depends on my daily mood. I've never been into the mainstream."

"I've been collecting fashion from random places my whole life. Eventually I started selling my items and I've received a lot of great feedback from my customers. They tell me how much they love the clothes and my styling tips. I end up becoming friends with a lot of them because they're such wonderful people."

"In the street, many people walk up to me and say, "Oh my, God. I love your outfit. Where did you get that?" I'm just really passionate about my fashion and other passionate people seem to really appreciate it. Those are the kinds of people that I love collaborating with. All our vendors bring a piece of themselves into the market. There are a lot of positive vibes all around."

The Shop Til You Drop Dead Market happens tomorrow and Monday and every weekend at 10 Euclid Avenue (Queen and Euclid -- 3 blocks West of Bathurst). "This weekend, we have five new vendors who'll be selling new club and contemporary wardrobe -- sample pieces of clothing lines that you can't find anywhere, very unique jewellery, vintage clothing, movie costumes, styles from burlesque to pin-up and men's fashion. We also have CDs, shoes, boots, hats and electronics. There will even be a DJ there playing tunes all day and he will be taking requests."

For more information, contact Laura Lace on Facebook or Instagram.