We first told you last night about the Toronto Film Festival uninviting Barry Avrich’s October 7th documentary The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, about Israeli Defense General Noam Tibon and his mission to save his family who were surrounded by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023.
On Wednesday afternoon, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey has responded.
“I want to be clear: claims that the film was rejected due to censorship are unequivocally false,” he wrote in a letter addressed to members of the TIFF community. “I remain committed to working with the filmmaker to meet TIFF’s screening requirements to allow the film to be screened at this year’s festival. I have asked our legal team to work with the filmmaker on considering all options available.”
Read the letter in full below.
As Deadline reported yesterday, asks were made of the filmmakers by the festival as conditions to be included in the Documentary lineup of this year’s festival, which runs September 4-14. The production team believed they complied with most of the asks. TIFF didn’t feel all requirements were met, including clearance of footage.
The filmmakers, in response to the docu being withdrawn, told Deadline that “We are shocked and saddened that a venerable film festival has defied its mission and censored its own programming by refusing this film.”
TIFF is fearless about their programming choices, particularly when it comes to documentaries, and Bailey championed The Road Between Us, we understand. The documentary is about sensitive topic in the Israeli-Palestine conflict.
This afternoon, Bailey in his letter acknowledged “the concerns” that the decision “has raised among members of the Jewish community and beyond.”
“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 – stories that resonate both here at home and around the world,” Bailey writes.
The situation with The Road Between Us is a bit déjà vu: Last year TIFF had the antiwar documentary Russians at War which stirred up the Ukrainian community in addition to Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland. After TIFF staff received reported threats over the docu’s programming, the fest paused screenings, only to screen Russian at War days following the end of the festival. Security was present at screenings, and TIFF held screenings at time when Toronto has fewer tourists and fest attendees.
Here’s Bailey’s letter:
Dear Members of the TIFF Community,
I want to take a moment to address recent reports regarding the documentary film The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue. This situation calls for compassion and sensitivity, and I recognize the concerns it has raised among members of the Jewish community and beyond.
First and foremost, I would like to express my sincere apologies for any pain this situation may have caused. It was never my intention to offend or alienate anyone. At TIFF, we believe in the transformative power of film to foster understanding and dialogue, especially during challenging times.
My intention was to screen The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, which is why I extended the invitation for the film to participate in this year’s festival. 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 – stories that resonate both here at home and around the world.
I want to be clear: claims that the film was rejected due to censorship are unequivocally false. I remain committed to working with the filmmaker to meet TIFF’s screening requirements to allow the film to be screened at this year’s festival. I have asked our legal team to work with the filmmaker on considering all options available.
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. While we are not a political organization, TIFF will always strive to present our programming in a safe, inclusive environment.
I ask for your patience and understanding as we navigate this complex landscape. Thank you for your continued support. It is my great hope that this year’s Festival will be a celebration of these values, and the power film holds to bring people together.
Sincerely,
Cameron Bailey
CEO, TIFF
