BKN Raptors Patterson TIFF

By Lori Ewing

TORONTO – Part of Patrick Patterson’s basketball off-season involved searching for Al Pacino.

Patterson is arguably the Toronto Raptors’ biggest big-screen buff, and so he made a point of being back in the city for the Toronto International Film Festival last month.

His rookie TIFF experience wasn’t entirely successful however, as his quest to find Pacino failed.

“The No. 1 person I wanted to meet was Al Pacino, so I was pretty disappointed that I didn’t get to run into him,” Patterson said. “I heard that he was in certain places having coffee so sometimes early in the morning I’d wake up and go over there, but unfortunately didn’t run into him.”

The Raptors forward who was acquired last winter in a trade with the Sacramento Kings said he saw six TIFF films, and was able to meet several actors and directors.

His favourites? Jennifer Aniston’s “Cake” and Chris Rock’s “Top Five.”

(The Canadian Press)