NewzTORONTO (AP) — The 51st Toronto International Film Festival has unspooled against a backdrop of r ising tensions between the U.S. and Canadian governments, though it would be hard to tell it from the convivial atmosphere on the ground. TIFF, North America’s largest film happening, draws movies from around the world.
But its largest influx of festivalgoers and film industry people comes from Canada’s neighbor to the south. This year, the festival is taking place just weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump, amid an escalating trade war with Canada, signed an executive order renaming Lake Ontario as “Lake America.” From the opening night of TIFF, the festival has responded with a mix of disappointment, sarcasm and defiance to the contentious turn in U.S.-Canada relations.
“Welcome to TIFF and welcome to the beautiful shore of — say it with me — Lake Ontario,” Cameron Bailey, chief executive of the festival, said while introducing the disability rights drama “Being Heumann” on opening night. Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow also took a jab while noting that “Being Heumann” chronicles the relentless push by disability rights protesters to secure accessibility laws and equal rights. “It shows us that when people come together and stay tenacious, they can move mountains — even against the might of the U.S.
In his second term, Trump has frequently sparred with the Canadian government while seeking new trade terms with the country. In August, Trump said: “Canada’s been ripping us off for a long time.” Last month, the U.S. announced it was imposing 50% tariffs on $20 billion worth of Canadian goods.
Canada responded by imposing retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of American goods, including steel, dairy products, appliances and farm equipment. On Sunday, Trump called Canada the “worst country to deal with.” Following Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario, companies including Google and Apple changed their maps for U.S. users to read “Lake America.” Some news organizations, including The Associated Press, have said they will continue using the name Lake Ontario.
On TIFF stages, many have taken a side. “I cannot tell you how happy I am to be back on the shores of Lake Ontario,” said the director Peter Farrelly while introducing one of the festival’s top premieres, his Sylvester Stallone drama “I Play Rocky.” Some films have found themsel… government,” Chow said.In his second term, Trump has frequently sparred with the Canadian government while seeking new trade terms with the country.
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