Toronto film festival kicks off with ode to political activism
The Toronto International Film Festival opened with the premiere of Apple TV drama 'Being Heumann', starring Ruth Madeley as US disability rights activist Judy Heumann.
Toronto kicked off its 51st edition of the International Film Festival (TIFF) on Thursday with a vibrant program of nearly 300 films covering a range of topics from political activism to sports. The festival began with the premiere of Apple TV drama 'Being Heumann,' starring Ruth Madeley as US activist Judy Heumann, who fought for disability rights in the 1970s.
Oscar-winning director Sian Heder highlighted the film's theme of standing up against invisibility, emphasizing the importance of collective action in the current political climate.
Festival CEO Cameron Bailey kicked off the event by referencing political tensions between Canada and the US, drawing applause when he mentioned Lake Ontario being renamed 'Lake America' by US President Donald Trump. Bailey also praised the Canadian film industry as a strong competitor amid Trump's US film promotion.
The 293-film lineup includes Oscar-winning director Peter Farrelly's 'I Play Rocky,' which tells the story of Sylvester Stallone's journey to create the breakout movie that changed his life. Another biopic, 'Villeneuve: The Rise of a Legend,' recounts racing star Gilles Villeneuve's rise from humble beginnings in Quebec to the top of Formula 1.
Diverse talent, including American comedian Chris Rock, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, and K-pop superstar Lisa, are set to appear over the next ten days. The festival wraps up on September 20.
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