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Toronto Screening of Eating Buccaneers By Don Young Thursday night at the Royal Cinema. A screening by The Bluebird Project Inc.: invitation only, “Please RSVP. Thanks.” It makes one think of a recent comment about “… a bunch of people at a rich gala, all subsidized by the taxpayers….” And this was a grand event, anticipated by many of the three hundred who attend as an evening that may be the highlight of the season. The popcorn and soda pop were free, making it like an evening out at minimal expense. But there was no subsidy by the taxpayers, because this was the first Toronto screening of Bill Keenan’s movie, “Eating Buccaneers.” It was attended by most of the cast and crew who made it. The glamour was supplied by Leah Pinsent and Shannon Beckner, the two female leads, looking radiant compared to their characters in the movie about a group of advertising executives and a client lost in the forests of northern Ontario. Peter Keleghan, Steven McCarthy and Jeff White, the majority of the male stars, escorted them. What a gala event! It’s even more extraordinary because Bill made it with a cast and crew of less than fifty people, without any government support or assistance. He was able to make a movie that is every bit as good as the products created by the studio system that takes advantage of government programs that exist to encourage film and TV production. The cast and crew have many reasons to be pleased that this movie is screening and to be proud to have been a part of such a quality result. For more info about the movie, see the review published on this site. The other component that made this event possible was the private investors who funded the movie. I’m sure they were as pleased as they would have been at one of those rich Hollywood galas, and surely satisfied with the results. Their contribution was as integral to the success as any of the other “ordinary, working people” that included the cast and crew. The evening began with Bill’s introduction of the actors plus the producers, Mark Montefiore and Jennifer Mesich. He was assisted by Tracy Keenan, the executive producer who was making everyone comfortable, much as she did during the filming of the movie. If Bill is considered as the father of this production, Tracy is definitely the mother. Her uncredited role was much broader than that of an executive producer. All, as demonstrated by their laughter and applause, enjoyed the screening, in the comfort of the Royal Cinema. After the movie, the cast and crew continued to a local spot to socialize and discuss current events. It was the perfect ending to excellent evening. My biggest disappointment? They didn’t give out free Buccaneer Bars in the theatre. |