After uproar, documentary on Hamas 2023 attack will screen at Toronto Film Festival
Earlier this week, TIFF withdrew its invitation to the film 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue." The festival said the decision was based in part on legal clearance for footage used in the documentary. Deadline, which first reported the news, said a sticking point was the identification and legal clearance of Hamas militants' own livestreaming of the attack.
On Thursday evening, TIFF chief executive Cameron Bailey and 'The Road Between Us' filmmaker Barry Avrich issued a joint statement announcing the film's selection.
'Both TIFF and the filmmakers have heard the pain and frustration expressed by the public and we want to address this together,' said Bailey and Avrich. 'We have worked together to find a resolution to satisfy important safety, legal, and programming concerns.'
'In this case, TIFF's communication around its requirements did not clearly articulate the concerns and roadblocks that arose and for that, we are sorry,' they continued.
The film chronicles the story of retired Israeli Gen. Noam Tibon, whose efforts to save his family and others during the Oct. 7, 2023 attack was profiled in a '60 Minutes' segment.
After being informed that the film wouldn't screen at the festival, the 'Road Between Us' filmmakers issued a statement claiming TIFF 'censored its own programming by refusing the film.'
Bailey disputed that allegation, and pleaded that the situation demanded sensitivity.
'The events of October 7, 2023, and the ongoing suffering in Gaza weigh heavily on us, underscoring the urgent need for compassion amid rising antisemitism and Islamophobia,' Bailey said on Wednesday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Arnold Schwarzenegger wears expletive-laden shirt to troll Gavin Newsom over his redistricting plans
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger donned an expletive-laden shirt to troll incumbent Gavin Newsom over his plans to redraw districts in the state. The actor, 78, shared a picture of himself using a weight machine with the caption: 'I'm getting ready for the gerrymandering battle'. The Terminator star, who is a Republican, wore a black t shirt with the words: 'F*** the politicians. Terminate gerrymandering', with a red and blue fist across it. Gerrymandering is the term used to describe the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor a party. Governor Newsom is looking to hold a special election in the state to seek approval to redraw districts in a bid to give Democrats five more US house seats. The plan would involve the replacement of the current nonpartisan redistricting commission, which is responsible for drawing boundaries and was formed with Schwarzenegger's support in 2008. Newsom's plans are a direct response to a similar Republican led motion in Texas, backed by Trump, as his party look to cling on to their slim House majority in the upcoming midterms. Newsom - a vocal adversary of Donald Trump - introduced his ' Election Rigging Response Act' to Golden State voters at a campaign style event earlier this week. The act, which will go before voters in November, would mean California would temporarily adopt new congressional districts through 2030 if other states - such as Texas - did the same. 'We're giving the people of this state the power to save democracy, not just in California, but all across the United States of America,' Newsom said. Democrats only need to flip three House seats to regain control of the chamber for the 2026 election. Newsom encouraged Californians and residents of other blue states to 'stand up' against the efforts being led by Texas, but are also being considered in other states. 'He's going to lose the midterms, he knows de facto his presidency ends in 17 months,' Newsom said. 'Why else would he try to rig the system?' In a letter penned to Trump on Monday, Newsom said: If you will not stand down, I will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states.' Newsom offered a compromise to Trump by promising to call off redistricting efforts in California if GOP-led states do the same. 'But if the other states call off their redistricting efforts, we will happily do the same. And American democracy will be better for it.' If the Trump-backed plot is successful, the GOP is expected to gain at least five additional seats in the House of Representatives. 'We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats, Trump told CNBC on Tuesday. 'We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas.' 'I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats.' If approved, a new California map would take effect only if a Republican state does its own redistricting. It would remain through the 2030 elections. After that, Democrats say, they would return mapmaking power to the independent commission voters approved in 2008. Trump has urged other Republican-run states to redraw maps, even sending Vice President JD Vance to Indiana to pressure officials there. In Missouri, according to a document obtained by The Associated Press, the state Senate received a $46,000 invoice to activate six redistricting software licenses and provide training for up to 10 staff members. Democratic state lawmakers fled from Texas to deny the GOP the quorum necessary to vote on legislation in the state capital. In response, Abbott last week The Texas governor also filed an emergency petition to the Texas Supreme Court, requesting the justices declare Democratic Minority Leader Gene Wu's seat vacant.
Reuters
2 hours ago
- Reuters
Canada labor minister presses Air Canada, union to intensify talks to resolve dispute
Aug 15 (Reuters) - Canadian Labor Minister Patty Hajdu said on Friday that she met jointly with Air Canada ( opens new tab and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), urging both sides to work harder and remain at the negotiating table to reach a deal and avert a potential strike.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Stacey Dooley and her partner Kevin Clifton look more loved-up than ever after taking to the stage to perform A Ghost Story
Stacey Dooley and her partner Kevin Clifton looked more loved-up than ever as they left The Opera House in Manchester together on Friday night. The documentary-maker, 38, and the professional dancer, 42, had both performed on stage for a special performance of 2:22 A Ghost Story. Stacey cut a stylish figure in a sheer grey T-shirt teamed with light denim shorts and an oversized red cardigan draped over her shoulders. She finished the look with chunky black loafers and a chic handbag, wearing her signature bob loose around her face. Kevin kept it casual in a crisp white T-shirt, grey trousers and trainers, slinging a backpack over one shoulder as he wrapped an arm around Stacey. The pair looked happy and relaxed as they made their way to a waiting car, with Stacey flashing a peace sign for the cameras. The pair had both performed on stage for a special performance of 2:22 A Ghost Story and as they left the show, Stacey cut a stylish figure in a sheer grey T-shirt The couple first met in 2018 when they were partnered on Strictly Come Dancing, going on to win the coveted glitterball trophy. They've been together ever since and welcomed their daughter Minnie in January 2023. 2:22 A Ghost Story sees Jenny (played by Stacey) convinced that her new house is haunted. She makes is her mission to try and convince her skeptic husband Sam (played by Kevin). Stacey's role of the character Jenny, has previously been played by singers Cheryl and Lily Allen in the West End supernatural thriller. Stacey has previously spoken out about the theatre world saying it has an 'element of snobbery'. As she made her stage acting debut two years ago, during an interview on BBC Breakfast, she was asked if she was nervous that theatre critics would be harsh in their reviews. Stacey replied saying: 'I think there has always been an element of snobbery surrounding that world. 'And that's why it's felt like certain sections of society, they can't tap into ... you know I mean, (a) certain demographic. 'But I feel like this play, I like it for that reason, actually. It doesn't feel too highbrow or (like) people (are) sat there with their arms folded, saying, 'right, you know, impress me'. It's an experience and it's a ghost story ... it's quite thought provoking. 'So I'm not too fussed about the critics and again, it's so subjective.' She added: 'You can sort of get into your head and think, 'Oh, am I going to do a good job?'. All you can do is try your best, (and) go for it,' she said. 'And hopefully people enjoy it. 'It's a hugely successful play and it's done so well and I think they've always cast in quite unexpected ways ... like the first it was Lily Allen's role, really, and she just smashed it and she was nominated for an Olivier Award. 'And then, ever since then, I think Jenny particularly ... hasn't been as traditionally cast as other places.'
