The 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) started off with a bang, featuring the premiere of The Tragically Hip’s new docuseries and star-studded appearances by celebrities like Ben Stiller, Demi Moore, and Orlando Bloom. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off the festival by praising TIFF for putting Canadian film on the international map and announced a $23 million investment from the Canadian government to support the festival over three years. The festival faced some controversy as protesters interrupted the screening of Ben Stiller’s film Nutcrackers, calling for TIFF to cut ties with a fest sponsor, RBC.
Ben Stiller’s film Nutcrackers made its world premiere at TIFF, with Stiller in attendance along with the film’s director David Gordon Green. Stiller plays a Chicago real estate developer who must care for his sister’s four kids after a tragic accident, leading to a heartwarming and organic story that Stiller described as one of the best experiences he’s had making a movie. The screening was briefly interrupted by protesters who suggested that RBC funds genocide, creating a tense atmosphere that was quickly resolved.
Orlando Bloom’s film, The Cut, also premiered at TIFF, with Bloom and Katy Perry gracing the red carpet. The film follows Bloom’s character, The Boxer, as he makes a comeback in boxing after a long hiatus. Meanwhile, Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley were in attendance for the North American premiere of Coralie Fargeat’s film The Substance, which explores themes of aging, beauty standards, and internalized violence against women. The film was praised for its thrilling and emotional performance by Moore and its unique exploration of feminist topics within the horror genre.
The festival also featured the world premiere of the docuseries The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, directed by Mike Downie. The series provides an intimate look at the iconic Canadian band’s journey, from their humble beginnings to becoming one of the most beloved bands in Canada, as well as the lead up to frontman Gord Downie’s death from terminal brain cancer. The series not only celebrates the band’s accomplishments and friendship but also highlights their importance to Canadians, with appearances from Will Arnett, Dan Aykroyd, Jay Baruchel, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Overall, the first day of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival was a star-studded and eventful affair, featuring world premieres, celebrity appearances, and thought-provoking films that touched on a range of themes. The festival kicked off with a strong showing of Canadian talent and international support, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasizing the importance of storytelling through film. Despite some controversy with protests, the festival continued to showcase a diverse range of films that resonated with audiences and critics alike.
