As you’re likely all painfully aware, the Toronto International Film Festival is in full swing, and everyone who is anyone is here. What? You weren’t aware that TIFF was happening? Get a clue! What’s that? You don’t care? Stop kidding yourself – of course you do!
At any rate I, your Prairie Dog cub reporter, am here to keep you abreast of all the hot-buttered, rubbernecking hubbub. Sort of. We weren’t actually furnished with a proper press pass… But they gave us rush line vouchers! Which is almost as good, only without the open bar. Oh well. We’re in it for the love of cinema, after all.
So what’s happened so far? Well, let’s see… As usual, there have been loads of good looking and/or famous people in attendance, but in terms of controversy, the big news happened over a week ago, when Canadian filmmaker John Greyson made a public announcement, pulling his short film “Covered” from the festival. This was in protest of TIFF’s inaugural City to City program, which is meant to celebrate a foreign city through its cinema – only this year TIFF decided to reach out to Tel Aviv, which has angered many in light of the all the blood Israel has on its hands, and the program’s de-facto exclusion of Palestinian filmmakers. Here is John Greyson’s letter to TIFF. And here is TIFF co-director Cameron Bailey’s response.
Greyson is not alone – many other high-profile film people and cultural critics have signed on in protest, and some have pointed out that the timing of the program dovetails too easily with Israel’s Brand Israel campaign. As a result, TIFF has been put on the hot seat, and has been accused of being part of the pro-Israeli propaganda machine. Which is embarrassing, but what can they really say at this point? They obviously had their reasons, and it’s a done deal.
Stay tuned for more TIFF excitement, including coverage of the premiere of George Ryga’s Hungry Hills, directed by Regina’s own Rob King!
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