On shores of Lake Ontario, the Toronto International Film Festival bristles at Trump’s trade war

The 51st Toronto International Film Festival, North America's largest film gathering, unfolded amid escalating tensions between the United States and Canada. The festival, which attracts filmmakers and film enthusiasts from around the globe, is currently taking place just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as "Lake America" amid a trade war with Canada.

Festival CEO Cameron Bailey and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow responded to the situation with a mix of disappointment, sarcasm, and defiance, using the renaming as a backdrop for their remarks. Trump's administration has imposed retaliatory tariffs on Canadian goods in response to Canada's own tariffs on American products, including steel, dairy products, appliances, and farm equipment.

Some filmmakers have found ways to incorporate the contentious U.S.-Canada relations into their works. Canadian writer-director Michael Dowse's film "The Stunt Driver" sets much of its story along the waterways separating the two countries, as a Canadian stuntman aspires to jump a rocket-powered car over the St. Lawrence River. The film's opening scene, in particular, resonated with audiences due to its nationalistic sentiments amidst the ongoing trade dispute.