TORONTO — As autumn draws near and awards season looms, movie mogul Harvey Weinstein says he has one thing on his mind: that the Knicks go all the way.


"I'm a die-hard Knicks fan and hoping Jim will let me into the garden," Weinstein said, referring to James Dolan, who was sitting next to him at the Weinstein Company offices in Toronto on Monday. Dolan is the head of Cablevision and New York's Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks play.


"Thanks. No pressure," Dolan jokes.


While basketball was a hot topic, Weinstein had more pressing business at the Toronto International Film Festival. His company's newest film, "August: Osage County," based on the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning play, was having its world premiere in a few hours. Before that, Weinstein sat down with the Associated Press for an exclusive interview.


He was more interested in talking about the Sunday premiere of the Superstorm Sandy benefit film, "12-12-12," than anything else.


The storm devastated the Northeast last fall, and Weinstein, along with Dolan and Clear Channel president John Sykes, decided to put on a benefit concert at Madison Square Garden. They gathered a superstar lineup that included the Rolling Stones, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, Kanye West, Billy Joel and others for a nearly six-hour show. The event raised $65 million dollars for the Robin Hood Foundation to benefit victims of the storm.


Weinstein says they're proud of their effort, but he also feels they made a powerful documentary that shows a perspective that fans didn't get to see.


"That's the only reason to make it," he said.


Back in December, Weinstein dressed in street clothes to work behind the scenes of the concert. He speaks of the special moments that he saw and remembers "the coolest one."


"Having Paul McCartney walk out of his dressing room and singing `Hey, Hey we're the Monkees,' and doing it for a minute and half," he said.


Dolan and Sykes agree that the documentary captures something special.


"There was a sense a sense of sarcasm that only New Yorkers can have looking straight in the eye of a tragedy that this movie really reflects," Sykes says.


He cites Adam Sandler's poignant parody of the Leonard Cohen song, "Hallelujah," and Billy Joel rehearsing his own take of "We Are the World," as "We Are New York," sung in a whiny, New York accent.


One of the criticisms of the benefit concert was the disparity between music genres. Kanye West was the only hip-hop artist in a primarily classic rock-based lineup.


But Sykes defends that point.


"It was about making money for the victims. We were less concerned making a perfectly balanced show, and more focused on what artists could bring in people with the most money," Sykes said.


As for a release date of the documentary, Weinstein said they will probably memorialize the day of the storm, Oct. 29, and have a New York premiere.


Weinstein said he relies on Dolan and Sykes for other advice, citing their help with his highly regarded film, "Lee Daniel's The Butler."


It's been mentioned as an Oscar favorite, but after Monday night, so was his other film, "August: Osage County," making it an interesting awards season.


___


Online:


http://www.weinsteinco.com


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Follow John Carucci on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/jacarucci




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  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Harvey Weinstein


    Harvey Weinstein arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. The movie mogul talks to Associated Press in an exclusive interview about the "12-12-12" (Sandy benefit at MSG) documentary he premiered at TIFF, and how they amassed the biggest names in music. He also spoke about his TIFF premiere of "August: Osage County," and how proud he is of "The Butler." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Harvey Weinstein


    Harvey Weinstein arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. The movie mogul talks to Associated Press in an exclusive interview about the "12-12-12" (Sandy benefit at MSG) documentary he premiered at TIFF, and how they amassed the biggest names in music. He also spoke about his TIFF premiere of "August: Osage County," and how proud he is of "The Butler." (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Chris Cooper


    Chris Cooper arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts, Dermot Mulroney


    Julia Roberts, left, and Dermot Mulroney arrive at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Abigail Breslin arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney signs autographs for fans at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Abigail Breslin arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Juliette Lewis arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julianne Nicholson


    Julianne Nicholson arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Julia Roberts arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Ewan McGregor


    Ewan McGregor arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Ewan McGregor


    Ewan McGregor arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Dermot Mulroney arrives at the premiere of "August: Osage County" on day 5 of the Toronto International Film Festival at the Roy Thomson Hall on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013, in Toronto. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Chris Cooper


    Actor Chris Cooper poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Chris Cooper


    Actor Chris Cooper poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Actress Juliette Lewis poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • John Wells


    Director John Wells poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Juliette Lewis


    Actress Juliette Lewis poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Actor Dermot Mulroney poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Dermot Mulroney


    Actor Dermot Mulroney waves as he signs autographs for fans on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Abigail Breslin


    Actress Abigail Breslin poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Julia Roberts


    Actress Julia Roberts poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the film "August, Osage County " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson wears a ring as she poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson poses for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie " Under The Skin " during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Jonathan Glazer, Scarlett Johansson


    Actress Scarlett Johansson, right, and director Jonathan Glazer pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Under The Skin" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, Sept. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)




  • Paul Haggis; Liam Neeson; Mila Kunis; Adrien Brody; Olivia Wilde; Moran Atias; Maria Bello, Loan Chabanol


    Actors Adrien Brody, left, and Liam Neeson, centre, pose for a photograph with director Paul Haggis, right, on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadain Press, Michelle Siu)




  • Paul Haggis; Liam Neeson


    Writer and director Paul Haggis, right, and actor Liam Neeson, left, pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Michelle Siu)




  • Liam Neeson Adrien Brody


    Actors Adrien Brody, left, and Liam Neeson, right, pose for a photograph on the red carpet at the gala for the new movie "Third Person" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Monday, September 9, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Michelle Siu)