his son’s family. The film was all set to go for this year’s TIFF Sept 4 – 14, which also just happens to be the fest’s 50th anniversary. The celebration will be tarnished. TIFF’s action follows the kind of spineless response to anything that is controversial in the wrong way. Sure, festivals and too many filmmakers think of themselves as courageous when they screen a film that challenges topics or politicians that are deemed politically incorrect, like the Catholic Church, big business, anti-abortion activists or right-wing politicians like Donald Trump. Filmmakers and festivals have long embraced the Palestinian cause. Even the avantgarde Media City fest here in Windsor-Detroit screened several pro-Palestinian films last year. But rare or more likely never will you see even one film that presents an Israeli viewpoint. In fact, in the case of The Road Between Us, this isn’t even political. “This film is not about politics, it’s about humanity, family and sacrifice,” director Avrich said. But because it’s told from an Israeli POV it is unacceptable and beyond the pale. The reason given by long time TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey for dropping it was “the risk of major, disruptive protest actions around the film’s presence at the Festival, including internal opposition, has become too great.” In other words, TIFF doesn’t have the courage of its convictions as few as they may have been. TIFF has also said it was because “general requirements for inclusion in the festival” were not met, such as clearing rights for the videos shot by Hamas and livestreamed during the attack. I couldn’t believe this when I first read it and had to read it several times. So, TIFF wouldn’t screen a film because the video hadn’t been approved by a terrorist organization? The decision unleashed massive outrage and for once not just by the Jewish community. And I was surprised yet gratified that as many as 1000 in the international film community signed a petition condemning TIFF. This includes such luminaries as Amy Schumer, Howie Mandel, Debra Messing and Jennifer Jason Leigh. But many other high profile actors and directors - including many Jews - have not signed it; I wonder why. Their open letter also said, “This follows the 2024 festival, which likewise didn’t platform a single Israeli documentary that didn’t disparage the country. In contrast, TIFF 2024 featured three anti-Israel documentaries, with four more slated for 2025.” My point above. TIFF has now reversed the decision, and the film will be included. I’m slightly surprised it did that. Perhaps it was facing a boycott by stars and powerful distributors. We will now see how the film will be presented, how many times it will be screened, and how TIFF will protect filmgoers from what undoubtedly will be pro-Palestinian protests on the streets or even inside the theatre. But the lesson here? By its action TIFF has demonstrated how wokeness can descend into immorality.
