Latest news with #TaliaHarrisRam
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Toronto Film Festival Cancels Screenings of Israeli Documentary About Oct. 7 Attack
The organizers of Canada's largest film festival have pulled from the event's lineup an Israeli documentary about the Oct. 7 attacks that included footage of atrocities live streamed by Hamas fighters. The makers of the film, 'The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,' this week accused The Toronto International Film Festival of censorship, an assertion that the festival organizers denied. Instead, festival organizers said the filmmakers had failed to secure rights to the video. Talia Harris Ram, one of the film's producers, said the filmmakers were notified that the documentary, about a retired general who rescued his family from an attack on their home, would be withdrawn because it did not have the proper 'clearance to use archival footage,' or in other words, she said, the 'footage filmed by Hamas.' 'As someone who has dedicated her life to handling rights and intellectual property, this is the most absurd, horrific, disconnected claim I have encountered so far,' she said in a statement. Clips of the Oct. 7 attack that were recorded by Hamas fighters are included in the documentary, which was poised to screen during the 50th anniversary of the film festival, which runs from Sept. 4 to Sept. 14. Possible legal issues could arise from the screening of that footage, the festival said in a statement. The organizers also suggested that the film's removal from the lineup was intended to prevent disruptions. Barry Avrich, a Canadian filmmaker and a past board member at the festival, and his production team said in statements to the news media that the festival 'defied its mission and censored its own programming by refusing this film.' But the festival's chief executive, Cameron Bailey, pushed back against that claim and said it was 'unequivocally false' to suggest that the film was being censored, noting that he had personally invited the filmmakers to participate. 'Given the sensitive and significant nature of the film's subject, I believe that it tells an important story and contributes to the rich tapestry of perspectives in our lineup,' Mr. Bailey said, adding that he has directed the festival's legal team to help the filmmaker to review options and help them make the film compliant. Last year, the festival faced a backlash for screening a documentary about Russian solders in Ukraine. The film was condemned by many in the Ukrainian community and criticized for being Kremlin propaganda. The festival pulled the film.
Ottawa Citizen
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Ottawa Citizen
Anger after Toronto film festival pulls invite for October 7 documentary, citing legal concerns, other 'known risks'
Article content 'The topic of creators' rights is something I work with regularly,' said Talia Harris Ram, a producer on the film, per the Times. 'There's no legal problem with showing these clips, which were already streamed live on October 7. From an intellectual property standpoint, they are clearly in the public domain.' Article content Canada's Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said in its own statement: 'It is unconscionable that TIFF is allowing a small mob of extremists — who use intimidation and threats of violence — to dictate what films Canadians can see at the festival.' It added: 'This shameful decision sends an unmistakable message: Toronto's Jewish community, which has long played an integral role at TIFF, is no longer safe or welcome.' Article content In an email sent to tens of thousands of Canadian Jewish community members and allies on Wednesday, the CIJA called on supporters to contact TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and urge him to reverse the decision and include The Road Between Us in the festival program. 'It is a stain on the festival's reputation and a blow to the values Canadians hold dear,' the email said. Article content The group Canadian Women Against Antisemitism has also released a statement on social media, calling on supporters to demand that TIFF reverse its decision, and to 'tell Ontario and Canada: No more funding for cultural capitulation.' (The provincial and federal government are both TIFF sponsors.) Article content Article content BREAKING: The Toronto International Film Festival has pulled an October 7 documentary over alleged 'Hamas copyright' claims. TIFF removed The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, which tells the story of Noam Tibon, who saved his two granddaughters while surrounded by Hamas… — Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) August 13, 2025 Article content TIFF released the following statement: 'The invitation for the Canadian documentary film The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue was withdrawn by TIFF because general requirements for inclusion in the Festival, and conditions that were requested when the film was initially invited, were not met, including legal clearance of all footage. Article content 'The purpose of the requested conditions was to protect TIFF from legal implications and to allow TIFF to manage and mitigate anticipated and known risks around the screening of a film about highly sensitive subject matter, including potential threat of significant disruption. Article content 'As per our terms and conditions for participation in the Festival, TIFF may disqualify from participation in the Festival any Film that TIFF determines in its sole and absolute discretion would not be in TIFF's best interest to include in the Festival.' Article content Article content Last year the film Russians at War was denounced as Russian propaganda by Ukrainian groups, then-Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and others. TIFF defended its inclusion in the festival, but then cancelled screenings and ultimately gave the film a limited release only after the festival ended.
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Anger after Toronto film festival pulls invite for October 7 documentary, citing legal concerns, other 'known risks'
Article content 'The topic of creators' rights is something I work with regularly,' said Talia Harris Ram, a producer on the film, per the Times. 'There's no legal problem with showing these clips, which were already streamed live on October 7. From an intellectual property standpoint, they are clearly in the public domain.' Article content Canada's Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said in its own statement: 'It is unconscionable that TIFF is allowing a small mob of extremists — who use intimidation and threats of violence — to dictate what films Canadians can see at the festival.' It added: 'This shameful decision sends an unmistakable message: Toronto's Jewish community, which has long played an integral role at TIFF, is no longer safe or welcome.' Article content In an email sent to tens of thousands of Canadian Jewish community members and allies on Wednesday, the CIJA called on supporters to contact TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and urge him to reverse the decision and include The Road Between Us in the festival program. 'It is a stain on the festival's reputation and a blow to the values Canadians hold dear,' the email said. Article content The group Canadian Women Against Antisemitism has also released a statement on social media, calling on supporters to demand that TIFF reverse its decision, and to 'tell Ontario and Canada: No more funding for cultural capitulation.' (The provincial and federal government are both TIFF sponsors.) Article content Article content TIFF released the following statement: 'The invitation for the Canadian documentary film The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue was withdrawn by TIFF because general requirements for inclusion in the Festival, and conditions that were requested when the film was initially invited, were not met, including legal clearance of all footage. Article content 'The purpose of the requested conditions was to protect TIFF from legal implications and to allow TIFF to manage and mitigate anticipated and known risks around the screening of a film about highly sensitive subject matter, including potential threat of significant disruption. Article content 'As per our terms and conditions for participation in the Festival, TIFF may disqualify from participation in the Festival any Film that TIFF determines in its sole and absolute discretion would not be in TIFF's best interest to include in the Festival.' Article content Article content Last year the film Russians at War was denounced as Russian propaganda by Ukrainian groups, then-Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and others. TIFF defended its inclusion in the festival, but then cancelled screenings and ultimately gave the film a limited release only after the festival ended.
Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
Anger after Toronto film festival pulls invite for October 7 documentary, citing legal concerns, other 'known risks'
Article content 'The topic of creators' rights is something I work with regularly,' said Talia Harris Ram, a producer on the film, per the Times. 'There's no legal problem with showing these clips, which were already streamed live on October 7. From an intellectual property standpoint, they are clearly in the public domain.' Article content Canada's Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said in its own statement: 'It is unconscionable that TIFF is allowing a small mob of extremists — who use intimidation and threats of violence — to dictate what films Canadians can see at the festival.' It added: 'This shameful decision sends an unmistakable message: Toronto's Jewish community, which has long played an integral role at TIFF, is no longer safe or welcome.' Article content In an email sent to tens of thousands of Canadian Jewish community members and allies on Wednesday, the CIJA called on supporters to contact TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and urge him to reverse the decision and include The Road Between Us in the festival program. 'It is a stain on the festival's reputation and a blow to the values Canadians hold dear,' the email said. Article content The group Canadian Women Against Antisemitism has also released a statement on social media, calling on supporters to demand that TIFF reverse its decision, and to 'tell Ontario and Canada: No more funding for cultural capitulation.' (The provincial and federal government are both TIFF sponsors.) Article content Article content BREAKING: The Toronto International Film Festival has pulled an October 7 documentary over alleged 'Hamas copyright' claims. TIFF removed The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, which tells the story of Noam Tibon, who saved his two granddaughters while surrounded by Hamas… — Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) August 13, 2025 Article content TIFF released the following statement: 'The invitation for the Canadian documentary film The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue was withdrawn by TIFF because general requirements for inclusion in the Festival, and conditions that were requested when the film was initially invited, were not met, including legal clearance of all footage. Article content 'The purpose of the requested conditions was to protect TIFF from legal implications and to allow TIFF to manage and mitigate anticipated and known risks around the screening of a film about highly sensitive subject matter, including potential threat of significant disruption. Article content 'As per our terms and conditions for participation in the Festival, TIFF may disqualify from participation in the Festival any Film that TIFF determines in its sole and absolute discretion would not be in TIFF's best interest to include in the Festival.' Article content Article content Last year the film Russians at War was denounced as Russian propaganda by Ukrainian groups, then-Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and others. TIFF defended its inclusion in the festival, but then cancelled screenings and ultimately gave the film a limited release only after the festival ended.
