Technically, it was on the internet yesterday, but if you missed it, Taika Waititi gave a Master Class talk at TIFF and it’s likely the best thing you’ll see today. You can and should watch the whole thing above, but it’s lengthy. Luckily, TIFF grabbed the highlights in GIFs and quotes, starting with his beautiful socks:

On finding love:

“In my town, there’s probably 600 people, and I’m related to everyone…so it’s impossible to find love.” 💕 — Taika Waititi #TIFF18 pic.twitter.com/6WdfkVLDpq — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 10, 2018

How his “youthful glow” surprises even himself:

“Sometimes I walk past a mirror and I’m just like, ‘Who is that?’ And that’s something I have to deal with everyday.” — Taika Waititi on his youthful glow. #TIFF18 pic.twitter.com/AMDA8YLXoC — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 10, 2018

He also talked about the bizarre critical response to movies about marginalized communities.

Taika Waititi on early (confused) reviews of BOY: “They wanted this film to have… realms, spirits, and folklore and someone to be riding a whale. We don’t do that shit. We just try to live.” #TIFF18 pic.twitter.com/URBKGusfrd — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 10, 2018

And the importance of letting people from those communities tell their own stories.

“I think it’s vital that we [Indigenous filmmakers] put these films in the hands of the people who own those stories.” — Taika Waititi #TIFF18 pic.twitter.com/6AW8OoCWlX — TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 10, 2018

If you have an hour to spare, give the whole thing a watch.

Spider-Man is Queer and uses Grindr in NYC pic.twitter.com/VCXLRNhnxg — ✨ ᶻᵃᶜʰᵃʳʸ 💦 (@Z_ninetales) September 10, 2018

Stay safe out there, East Coasters!

(image: YouTube)

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