I've been taking my trusty camera when I go to screenings, and I've taken some shots of Toronto that I think provide an interesting contrast to the photos I took while at the Telluride Film Festival. Toronto is a large, bustling city, full of lots of interesting people and buildings. I hear all the celebs are hiding out in the Four Seasons (above), but I'm more interested in capturing the essence of Toronto itself during the film festival. Sadly, today -- the one day I didn't bring my camera -- there were two parades down Yonge Street, where our hotel is located.

The first, this morning, was a Tai Chi Awareness Day parade -- led by a band of marching bagpipe players in kilts. Later in the day, traffic ground to a halt for the Jesus City Parade, which, I assure you, you would have to see to believe. I was kicking myself for not grabbing my camera to get pics of that, because it was just so colorful, vibrant and fascinating. At any rate, below the fold are some more pictures, and hopefully they'll give you a feel for Toronto during one of the most important film festivals in the world.

Construction tunnel on the way to the Elgin Theater. Claustrophobically crowded by day, kind of spooky at 2AM after a Midnight Madness screening.

The line outside the Elgin, waiting for the rescheduled Borat screening. The light mist you can kind of see in the pic turned to a downpour about five minutes later, and we were all dripping wet for the screening.

Our Church of the Redeemer (near the Varsity Theaters) at night, nestled in amongst the more modern high rises.

I liked the contrast here between the (somewhat) flashier lower level, and the plastic-draped and duct-taped windows of the upper floors. No celebs spotted hanging out at the Scientology Center yet, but they give me coupons for free "intelligence testing" every time I pass by heading either to or from the Varsity.

Hamad and Yusef spotted me taking pictures and insisted that I take theirs. I'm not sure what they serve at that restaurant, but it's open after the midnight screenings and smells really good.

The gilded ceiling of the amazingly beautiful Elgin Theater, where we saw this cool Guy Maddin silent film accompanied by a live orchestra and narrator. The film was called Brand Upon the Brain!, and I can't get it out of my head. It was freaky, but in a good way.