>> Upcoming Events
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2nd Annual Toronto-Romanian Film Festival
February 13-15, 2009
romaniancinemaNOW: unveiling contemporary Romanian cinema.
Full festival programme, information, and special guests will be released soon. Please check back for details.
Friday, February 13 - Opening Day
7 pm - Opening Night - Bloor Cinema
Boogie (2008, Radu Muntean)
TICKETS ON SALE NOW !
11 pm - Opening Night Reception
TBA
Saturday, February 14 - Doc.Day
12 pm - Shorts Program 1 - Innis Town Hall
3 pm - Doc.Day Shorts - Innis Town Hall
6 pm - Doc.Day Feature 1 - Innis Town Hall
9 pm - Doc.Day Feature 2 - Bloor Cinema
Cold Waves / Razboi pe Calea Undelor (2008, Alexandru Solomon)
TICKETS ON SALE NOW !
Sunday, February 15 - Day of Independents / Debuts
12 pm - Shorts Program 2 - Innis Town Hall
3 pm - Debut / Indie Feature 1 - Innis Town Hall
6 pm - Debut / Indie Feature 2 - Innis Town Hall
Také / Tache (2008, Igor Cobileanski)
9 pm - Debut / Indie Feature 3 - Bloor Cinema
Screenings to be held at:
Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave.
and
Bloor Cinema, 506 Bloor St. West
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Feed the ToRo (with popcorn)
December 20-22, 2008
A film competition fundraiser.
Beginning at 12pm on the 20th of December, 2008, the ToRo Arts Grouop will begin its first annual film challenge fundraiser at Hart House, University of Toronto. This event will take place in the Music room on the second floor of Hart House and will run continuously through the course of the December 21st, 22nd weekend until one contestant prevails as winner of the film challenge.
The idea for this event was born out of our groups’ mutual love for film as well as from a similar event that recently took place in New York City which yielded a new Guinness world record holder for most consecutive films viewed. Although we at ToRo are not seeking to break a record with this event we were intrigued by this concept and have chosen to adopt many of the criteria from the New York City event when moulding our own version. The rules for our challenge, which can be viewed below, will follow those set by the aforementioned event as will the selection process for films. The chosen films, which will be kept secret from the audience, will be selected from the vast history of Hollywood cinema including both recent hits and past classics.
The film challenge will pit contestants against one another in a stamina based competition that seeks to find out how many films spectators can watch in succession, while abiding to a set of pre determined rules as outlined by ToRo. In between films a ten minute break will be granted for participants to take a brief break and prepare themselves for the following screening. Additionally, longer meal breaks will be provided to the participants sporadically over the course of the challenge to provide comfort to those who have the stamina it will take to prevail in a challenge such as this.
The goal of this fundraising campaign is primarily to aide ToRo in our future artistic endeavors, especially our upcoming second annual Romanian film festival that will take place February 2009.
As such, if you the spectator feel that this challenge may be beyond your personal limits you can still take part in the fundraiser and support ToRo by attending one or more of the films screened over the course of the weekend.
Tickets:
$15
$10 * first 20 people
RULES:
- In order to qualify for contest prizes all contestants must be present at the beginning of the first screening. Those who show up late can still enter the challenge space and view films and in the process help ToRo raise money through their admission price.
- Once eliminated the participant does not have to leave the challenge space, they are merely out of the running for contest prizes.
- All participants must be seated and have their attention directed towards the film screen at all times.
- If a participant would like to get a snack or beverage during any screening they must call over a ToRo arts member to fill this request (See above ruling on leaving seated position during screening times).
- Participants who get up to leave the room, walk around, take a phone call, etc will be eliminated from the challenge.
- All participants must refrain from talking during screening periods so as to not interfere with the other participants and their enjoyment of the viewing experience. Excessive noise will result in elimination from the film challenge.
- Participants who are caught sleeping during the challenge will be eliminated
- Participants caught under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol during the challenge will be eliminated.
- Participants unable to return to the challenge event space in the allotted break time on time during the challenge will be eliminated.
Great prizes (movie tickets & film workshops) from:
Suspect Video
Bloor Cinema
Raindance Canada
ToRo Arts group
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<< Past Events
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romaniancinemaNOW: film festival preview
December 12th, 2008
romaniancinemaNOW: Film Festival Preview anticipates the 2nd edition of the Toronto-Romanian Film Festival – December 12th 2008.
In anticipation of ToRo Arts Group’s second annual film festival, “romaniancinemanow:
a film festival preview,” has been scheduled to take place on December 12th, 2008.
By focusing on the creative outputs of graduates from the National University of Theatre and Cinematic Arts, a reliable mechanism through which fresh talent is embellished
with (proven?) qualities of "filmmaking," this preview aims to offer a potential for discovering a tranche of those elements of the New Romanian Cinema that are not only
less known to the Canadian market but also least understood.
Questions related to how the New Romanian Cinema has continued to maintain and
perpetuate international successes on both national and international circuits will also
be addressed. Accordingly, Tereza Barta and Laurence Green, Associate Professors
from York University's Department of Film, will provide an academic comparison of the
differences between Canadian and Romanian approaches to film education by delivering their own interpretations of how certain educational dynamics, existent in the Romanian model, have and perhaps will continue to underpin the very successes that the
films on offer on December 12 will reference.
The event’s confirmed program includes Interior. Block of Flats, Hallway (Ciprian Alexandrescu, 2008), winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Uppsala International Short
Film Festival and Late (Paul Negoescu, 2008), an official entry at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival, as well as two official selections from the Transilvania International Film Festival, Sandpit #186 (Adina Pintilie, 2007) and My Unfinished Films (Eva
Pervolovici, 2008).
Program
*for full program info, visit the UofT Tix website
1. Interior. Block of Flats, Hallway (2007) - Ciprian Alexandrescu
2. Late (2008) - Paul Negoescu
3. Synopsis Docu-drama (2008) - Vlad Trandafir
4. My Unfinished Films (2008) - Eva Pervolovici
5. Sandpit #186 (2006) - Adina Pintilie
6. Chamber Music (2007) - Matei-Alexandru Mocanu
7. Radu + Ana (2007) - Paul Negoescu
8. My Left Eye (2007) - Anamaria Chioveanu
NOTE: THIS IS AN ENGLISH EVENT. ALL MOVIES ARE IN ROMANIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
Friday, December 12th 2008, 7pm
Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave.
Tickets:
$15 – Adult
$10 – Student (with ID)
Tickets can be purchased in person at:
UofT Tix
7 Hart House Circle ( 416-978-8849 )
or
www.uofttix.ca/view.php?id=420
Full Press Release.
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Head.sync
October 18th, 2008
The ToRo Arts Group was asked to rethink tradition and recreate a classic. But, as we
were less enthusiastic about regurgitating the obvious and more adamant about twisting
the surreal, the end result reached apotheosis via a familiar creature: the headphone; culminating in a bring your own headphones
reminder of how art is to imbibe a maniacal desire to
explode inside a vividly distorted private bubble.
Officially titled head.sync, this mature overlapping between component art and component participant is scheduled to transpire in Toronto, on Saturday, October 18th, 2008.
The
physical platform on which this event will unfold is located at NO REGRETS LOUNGE (www.no-regrets.ca), in Liberty Village (42 Mowat Avenue). Additionally, abstract video projections will be superimposed upon the formal topography of the NO REGRETS
LOUNGE, initially available as a raw space.
Audio and video can either coexist as
part of the entire experience or they can be broken down into their own individual components and be experienced independently of one another, if so desired.
Audio:
Providing the promised auditory layer will be “Tokyo to Glasgow” Noah Pred (www.noahpred.com), a current
resident with the Fukhouse Crew (www.fukhouse.ca) whose productions have received
international support, appearing on charts from renowned talent such as Carl Cox, Cari
Lekebusch, and Laurent Garnier.
Adding to the event’s talent pool is equally-established-and-artistically-proficient Jamie
Kidd (www.jamiekidd.com), originally a professional jazz and funk bassist. Jamie takes
the spirit of live music and improvisation into every performance and shamelessly “hijacks
your mind” to a pleasurably innocent “unauthorized darkness,” having played alongside Adam Beyer, Trentmoller, Joel Mull, Speedy J,
Chris Liebing, and Rob Hood among others.
Ushering in the night will be M2J (www.vitalevents.net) and Cosmin Bernat, two promising and up-coming local DJs.
Video:
Visual elements will be abastractly interfiered by Brendan O’Brien (The Amino Group) (www.theaminogroup.tv).
The sale of alcohol and non-alcohol beverages will be made available throughout the night
via a cash bar that will operate within the confines of what is legally permissible.
Further information related to this event can be found on the head.sync dedicated website
(www.head-sync.com).
Tickets are $15* at the door
Dresscode: BringYourOwnHeadphones
*Includes radio receiver
Full Press Release.
Dedicated Website
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Europe at Crossroads
August 29th, 2008
"Escaping from a “1989 past” was a tumultuous project for some of the concerned parties and, for Romania, Georgia, the Czech Republic, Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Russia and Hungary, their own idiosyncrasies and historical mosaic provided the cultural impetuses from which their national cinemas departed in a multiplicity of trajectories."
The program includes award-winning shorts, namely Graffiti (Georgia), a “Grand Prix” winner at the 2007 Aye Aye International Film Festival, Pal/Secam (Russia), winner of “Best Film” at the 2008 Columbia University Film Festival and Waves (Romania), a “Golden Leopard” winner for best short at the 2007 Locarno International Film Festival. Additional entries include What do I know (Bosnia and Herzegovina), A Day’s Work (Czech Republic), and When the Lights Go Out (Moldova).
Scheduled to take place at the Hart House inner quad (located on the University of Toronto campus) on August 29th at 7:30PM, this free event will include a cash-only bar and barbeque, while Dizzytall (www.vuscan.info), a Toronto-based musician, will provide the pre screening auditory entertainment. Seating capacity is limited to 200 guests; the ToRo Arts Group asks that you arrive early to ensure participation.
Full Press Relese.
Event Trailer (watch *in high quality) |
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1st Annual Toronto-Romanian Film Festival
February 1st - 3rd, 2008
A rediscovery of Romania’s cinematic past: remembering a misbehaved reality.
PROGRAM UPDATE:
ToRo Arts Group is proud to announce the special guest appearance of (former Montrealer) actor Jamie Elman (Sg. David McLaren) to its Opening Night Screening of Cristian Nemescu's film California Dreamin'.
Jamie Elman will be present alongside York University Professor Tereza Barta to introduce the film and talk about his involvement in the project as well as working with Cristian Nemescu.
Following the screening will be a Question & Answer session with the audience.
For more information, please visit our news section.
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Scheduled for the first three days in February of 2008, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd, ToRo Arts Group’s First Annual Toronto Romanian Film Festival intends to satisfy Toronto’s increased appetite for cinemas without borders and undiscovered cinematic expressions.
The film festival intends to uncover the influence of a pre-, per-, and post-Communist realities, as well as the influence of modern films and their capacity to depart from a past that is often misunderstood.
ToRo will dedicate its opening night program to the late director Cristian Nemescu by screening his 2007 “Un Certain Regard” Cannes winner for Best Film California Dreamin’ (Endless). Preceding the film will be his film-school graduating short, C Block Story. The two films will be presented by York University Professor and filmmaker, Tereza Barta.
Continuing its ‘retrospective theme,’ the ToRo will present during the second day of the Festival Lucian Pintile’s 1968 film, Reenactment, a political-deviant that Romania banned for its distinct and candid attack on the country’s lack-of civil liberties during its Communist past. Alexandru Solomon’s documentary, The Great Communist Bank Robbery, will add further analysis of the distinct political dynamics of the era. This night will be introduced by renowned University of Western Professor, Dr. Calin-Andrei Mihailescu.
Returning to Romania’s cinematic origins, the Festival will close with a special screening of the first Romanian feature film, The War of Independence, followed by the Canadian premiere of Nae Caranfil’s The Rest is Silence. The silent film The War of Independence will be accompanied by live music provided by the Festival’s Special Guest New York-based Romanian DJ, Bogman. In addition, Ion-Popescu Gopo’s 1956 Cannes winner for Best Animated Short A Short History will provide a fitting introduction to the night.
Nae Caranfil’s latest cinematic offer will allow film-goers to experience a modern interpretation of Romania’s early voyage into the art of cinema. With a record-setting budget of 24 million Euros, The Rest is Silence will be remembered as an investigatory period-piece that unveils the artistic passion that has survived in Romanian cinema from its inception to its current worldwide recognition.
Looking forward, the Festival will explore through programs of shorts the major works of upand-coming directors. Amongst the films are Radu Jude’s Tube With a Hat, the 2007 Sundance Film Festival winner of the Best International Short, Adrian Sitaru’s Waves, winner of the Best Short at the 2007 Locarno International Film Festival and Bogdan Apetri’s The Last Day of December, an official selection of the 2006 Montreal World Film Festival.
The aforementioned programs of shorts will be presented over a period of two days, on February 2nd and 3rd respectively.
In typical fashion, the ToRo Arts Group will be hosting an opening party, scheduled to take place on Friday, February 1st, following the opening screening, at Studio 204. Live musical entertainment will be provided by the Festival’s special guest DJ, Bogman. Video-art projections will also be on display.
NOTE: THIS IS AN ENGLISH EVENT! ALL MOVIES ARE IN ROMANIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
PLEASE NOTE PROGRAMME CHANGE:
Due to festival (international) screening priorities outside our control, Alexandru Mavrodineanu's The Boxing Lesson (2007) will be substituted with Calain Leescu's Afterimage (2007). We apologize for the inconvenience.
February 1st
Opening Night Screening - 7 pm - SOLD OUT
Opening Night Reception - 11 pm
February 2nd
Shorts Program 1 - 3 pm
Documentary - 6 pm
Feature 1 - 9 pm
February 3rd
Shorts Program 2 - 1:30 pm
Feature 2 - 4:30 pm
Feature 3 - 7 pm
All screenings will be held at:
Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave.
Tickets per screening:
General Admission
$15 – Adult
$10 – Student (with ID)
Day Pass
$40 - Adult
$25 - Student
Festival Pass
$95 - Adult
$60 - Student
Tickets can be purchased in person at:
UofT Tix
7 Hart House Circle ( 416-978-8849 )
or
www.uofttix.ca/view.php?id=310
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ToRo Electro-Loft Party
February 1st - 3rd, 2008
This night will be dedicated to Romania's burgeoning electro movement. The ToRo will be screening the North American premiere of Matei Alexandru Mocanu's "ELECTRO," a documentary exposing all facets of the electro movement and lifestyle. In addition, "ELECTRO" is the first documentary of this kind in Romania. The ToRo Arts Group will be screening this feature film alongside an audio-visual installation, supplemented by a live deejay.
The latest collaboration between SINCRETIC, a Mexico-based Romanian artist, AVmotional, a Romania-based collective of audio-video artists and the ToRo Arts Group, will culminate in an end-of-the-summer electro-loft party that will further allow for the raising of funds to be directed towards our upcoming ToRo Film Festival.
The event is scheduled to begin at 8:00PM, while the "ELECTRO" screening will commence at 11:00PM. Tickets can be purchased at the door and will be $15 before 10:30PM and $20 after. Due to the nature of this event, the ToRo will be honoring tickets on a first-come-first-serve basis. In addition, a cash bar will be running throughout the night.
As the loft's capacity is limited, we ask that you plan accordingly so as to not be disappointed.
Please send all ticket inquiries to office@toroartsgorup.com or visit our website for further contact information.
Saturday, September 15th, 2007, 8PM
Studio 204, 204 Spadina Ave.
Tickets:
$15 - before 10:30 PM
$20 - after 10:30 PM
Tickets at the door with RSVP. |
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Exposé on Romanian Cinema's New Wave
July 13th, 2007
July 13th promises to be an exciting evening dedicated to the magic of cinema, as ToRo Arts Group presents Toronto with a long-awaited Exposé on Romanian Cinema's New Wave.
Headlined in person by award-winning screenwriter Tudor Voican, victoriously returning from this year's Cannes Film Festival with a historic win for Romania under the "Un Certain Regard" category for Best Film with Cristian Nemescu's California Dreamin' (Endless), the night aims to showcase Romania's 'New Wave' of talented filmmakers that are contributing to a renewal of the country's cinema across the globe.
Program
Trafic (Traffic) (2003) - Catalin Mitulescu
Marilena de la P7 (Marilena from P7) (2006) - Cristian Nemescu
One Shot Wonder (2005) - Catalin Leescu
Un cartus de Kent si un Pachet de Cafea (Coffee and Cigarettes) (2003) - Cristi Puiu
Apartamentul (The Apartment) (2003) - Constantin Popescu
Calatorie la Oras (A Trip to the City) (2003) - Corneliu Porumboiu
Ajutoare Umanitare (Humanitarian Aid) (2002) - Hanno Hofer
NOTE: THIS IS AN ENGLISH EVENT! ALL MOVIES ARE IN ROMANIAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES.
Friday, July 13th 2007, 7pm
Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave.
Tickets:
$10 – Adult
$5 – Student (with ID)
Tickets can be purchased in person at:
UofT Tix
7 Hart House Circle ( 416-978-8849 )
or
www.uofttix.ca/view.php?id=247
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