The first day of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) was a star-studded affair with Canadian music legends The Tragically Hip premiering their new docuseries and celebrities like Ben Stiller, Demi Moore, and Orlando Bloom walking the red carpets. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was also in attendance to kick off the festival and announced that the Canadian government is supporting TIFF with a $23 million investment over three years. Trudeau praised the festival for elevating Canadian film and putting it on the international map, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in making Canada an effective place to make movies.
Ben Stiller’s film Nutcrackers made its world premiere at TIFF, with Stiller playing a Chicago real estate developer who takes in his sister’s children after a tragic accident leaves them orphaned. Stiller expressed his excitement for the project, calling it a crazy and strange but heartfelt and organic experience. However, the screening was briefly interrupted by protesters chanting “RBC funds genocide” at The Princess of Wales Theatre, calling for the festival to cut ties with the bank. The demonstrators were escorted out within minutes as the crowd booed.
Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry graced the red carpet for Bloom’s film The Cut at TIFF, directed by Sean Ellis and also starring Caitríona Balfe and John Turturro. Bloom plays a former boxer who is prompted to make a comeback after being chosen as a contender by a promoter. Bloom’s character must get back in fighting shape with the help of Turturro’s character, Boz. The film explores the boxer’s journey to return to the ring after a 10-year hiatus, showcasing his determination to make a comeback in the sport he loves.
Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley were in Toronto for the North American premiere of Coralie Fargeat’s film The Substance, which is part of the TIFF Midnight Madness programming. Moore plays Elisabeth Sparkle, a former award-winning actor turned TV aerobics star facing ageism in Hollywood. When a TV executive deems her too old for the industry, Elisabeth contemplates a black market procedure that will create a younger version of herself, played by Qualley. The film delves into the toxic beauty standards and stigmas around aging that women are subjected to, offering a creative and visually captivating portrayal of these themes.
TIFF kicked off with the world premiere of the docuseries The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal, directed by Mike Downie, which offers an intimate look at the iconic Canadian band’s journey from their humble beginnings in Kingston, Ontario, to becoming a national treasure. The series also captures the lead-up to the death of frontman Gord Downie after his terminal brain cancer diagnosis in 2015. The docuseries celebrates the band’s accomplishments and their impact on Canadian culture, with appearances from celebrities like Will Arnett, Dan Aykroyd, Jay Baruchel, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reflecting on the band’s significance. The premiere was followed by a public sing-along to The Tragically Hip’s songs led by Choir!Choir!Choir! as a tribute to the legendary band.
