Just last Saturday Oprah fever filled a ballroom at Toronto's Four Seasons Hotel, when Winfrey, Mariah Carey, and other members from the film "Precious" treated TIFF journos to a lively press conference.
Today businessmen in crisp blue suits walk the same space, mulling over pie charts and profits where Winfrey and cast once joked and jockeyed before the press.
At the Hazelton Hotel, guests walk in on Day 6 of TIFF noticing the spa-like fragrance that fills the air. Just last Saturday it was the scent of celebrity swarming that swirled about the lobby, drawing in press and photos to spot the famous stars.
Holt Renfrew's main floor is quiet today -- hardly like the midday madness seen last weekend when fans scoured the store for any sign of celebrity shopping.
The throng of fans who parked for hours outside Yorkville coffee shops just a few short days ago have dwindled down to just the unemployed stalkers.
TIFF's wind down has begun, and the star-gazer's withdrawal that goes along with it. It's unmistakable as you walk through tony Bloor and Yorkville.
Fewer limos. Fewer cameras. Fewer celebs. Less buzz.
"It's been fun. But good things never last," laughs one employee at the Four Season Hotel.
There in the main lobby, where celebrities have swanned by for the last six days, this relaxed-looking staffer takes a deep breath and says, "People just see the shine of all this. But it's a lot of work, not just for us but other hotels, restaurants, clubs. You would be surprised how much planning goes into keeping celebrities happy and well-cared for."
"Thank God it's almost over," says one coffee shop attendant. "I won't lie," she smiles. "I would have loved it if George Clooney came in and started shooting the breeze. But all these people coming in just to wait and watch. It's kind of creepy," the busy attendant laughs as she hands me a drink.
"This city will never get over its love affair with Hollywood," says one shop girl in a tony Yorkville boutique. "We make fun of those big tabloids for cramming all kinds of celebrity stuff at us all the time. But we love it. Just look around," she points down onto the street below.
"This place was a nuthouse on the weekend. Don't get me wrong. I love the vibe. People. Cameras. Limos. Now it's bye-bye Hollywood."
"Don't kid yourself," pipes in one customer. "It's all like a boyfriend swooping into town and dumping you. But I still love it. We all do."
On the street below another limo passes by. Is it Natalie Portman? Is Julie Christie in there I wonder -- two of the stars still in town as TIFF winds down.
Ah, TIFF! Nothing else like it brings Toronto to life. "It's like too much of anything good," says one cabbie watching the limo drive by. "This festival. You love it. You hate it."
I'm with you bud.
