The CEO of the International Film Festival of Toronto, Cameron Bailey, apologized for any pain caused by the decision of the festival to throw and then reinvitate a film about the attacks of October 7 of Hamas.
“I want to apologize for any pain, frustration or disappointment that our communication on the film has caused, and for any wrong characterization that has rooted. We are working now, and we will be for a while, to clarify things and repair relationships,” Bailey said, speaking in an event prior to the festival.
Bailey had apologized in a Previous statementBut this was his first public appearance since the divestment was news last week.
The organizers initially invited the film, entitled THE WAY BETWEEN US: THE BEST RESCUE By Canadian director Barry Avrich, to the Festival to show a “painful but important” story, Bailey said. The CEO added that it is something that Tiff is still committed.
The film once again tells the events of October 7 in Israel through the perspective of a retired general from the army, Noam Tibon, while trying to save his son and his family from Hamas’ attack.
The organizers of the Festival first took the film last week. DeadlineFirst to inform the news, he said that the decision was made due to security concerns and problems with the “legal authorization of all images.”
The decision quickly caused criticism from several groups and officials, including The creative community for peace, The Center for Affairs of Israel and JewishIsrael Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’arand several Entertainment leaders.
In a statement last Wednesday, Bailey said Tiff was committed to working with filmmakers to meet the festival’s projection requirements. officially announcing the reinvitation of the documentary The next day, in a joint statement of the festival and the filmmakers.
Noah Shack, CEO of the Center for Affairs of Israel and Jew, said the apology of Bailey and the fact that the film is back are steps in the right direction. But he said he still wants to see “responsibility” and measures taken to ensure that situations like this do not happen again.
“This goes far beyond a failure of communications by Tiff. There are serious problems that must be addressed so that we have confidence in things in the future,” Shack said.
Shack said the initial elimination of the film was against the “central values of inclusion and integrity of the festival. He said that the next steps that would avoid similar situations in the future should be up to the TIFF leadership to determine.
He also encouraged people to go watch the movie when he arrives at the East Autumn Festival.
“There has been a lot of talk about the movie and I suspect that most people who talk about that have not seen it, they really don’t know the story, and it is an incredible story,” Shack said. “So I really encourage people to go see him, and participate in the festival by getting involved with this important work of art.”
The way between us It will premiere at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto on September 10 as part of the festival, and tickets will be available to the public from August 25.
