VUONG: Not one more tax dollar to TIFF until they find moral compass

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TIFF can’t seem to get its story straight. Usually, this is a sign that someone is not telling the truth.

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On Aug. 12, Hollywood news site Deadline broke the news that TIFF uninvited Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich from screening his documentary, The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue.

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This heroic story, which was first covered by 60 Minutesis one that should inspire anyone who cares about family, duty, and the triumph of good over evil. It follows retired soldier and Israeli veteran Noam Tibon who set out to rescue his two granddaughters on Oct. 7, 2023 and saved, along the way, survivors of the Nova music festival massacre and helped wounded soldiers.

In response to Deadline, a TIFF spokesperson claimed “conditions that were requested when the film was initially invited, were not met, including legal clearance of all footage.”

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Sorry, whose clearance? The film includes self-recorded footage from designated terror group Hamas, is that who TIFF is worried about? Terrorists?

Never mind the fact that the footage should fall under ‘fair dealing’ or that it has already been used in other films and art installations, including the Nova exhibition that just wrapped up in Toronto in June. Does TIFF recognize who they are siding with?

Hamas has been on Canada’s terror list since 2002 and, on Oct. 7, 2023, they murdered over 1,200 innocent people, including eight Canadians.

Following the justified Canadian and international outrage, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey issued a statement on Aug. 13 to try and shift the narrative with a new story regarding alleged “claims that the film was rejected due to censorship are unequivocally false.” This is called a Red Herring. “Sure the economy is bad, but the real issue is crime (please stop talking about our economic record)!”

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Contrast this with TIFF’s response last year following their announcement on Sept. 10, 2024 to screen Russian propaganda film, Russians at Warthat was protested by Ukrainian Canadians for whitewashing their soldiers’ actions in Ukraine:

Sept. 11 — TIFF released a statement defending the film and affirming their commitment to artistic expression and free speech

Sept. 12 — TIFF pauses screenings of the film

Sept. 17 — TIFF resumes screenings of Russians at War and is shown outside of the official festival dates to accommodate for the pause

One can’t help but notice the stark difference in how TIFF conducted itself in response to these two films. They stood up for one and found a way to screen it, even going outside of last year’s festival dates, and cut another on not only the flimsiest of reasons but also the most morally repugnant.

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So what is the real reason for TIFF uninviting a Canadian filmmaker from screening his documentary about an Israeli grandfather saving his family and rescuing countless other innocent civilians? Is it inherent antisemitism within their ranks as some people have alleged? If they’re worried about safety, bowing to the hateful mob all but guarantees disruptions.

If this is a matter of art and freedom of expression, then the consistent response would have been for TIFF to defend and screen both films.

If not, just what are our tax dollars, from all levels of government, funding? If it’s not art and it is not supporting Canadian filmmakers like Barry Avrich, then what is the return on investment? As of right now, the ROI is trending negative with TIFF’s actions being mocked on the New York Post’s Aug. 14 front-page cover.

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They have caused Toronto and Canada immeasurable reputational damage as its decision appearing to side with a designated terrorist group is ridiculed around the world.

Until TIFF finds their moral compass again or, at a bare minimum, can provide films centered on democracies with the same treatment as they do those from authoritarian regimes, not a single taxpayer dollar should fund the festival.

— Kevin Vuong is a proud Torontonian, entrepreneur, and military reserve officer. He was previously the Member of Parliament for Toronto’s Spadina-Fort York community, which is where the Toronto International Film Festival is headquartered.

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