World premiere of 'Once We Were Brothers' would mark the 2019 TIFF opening night gala film
Toronto, July 19 (IBNS): Cameron Bailey and Joana Vicente, Toronto-TIFF Co-Heads announced yesterday that 44th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) would open with World Premiere of 'Once We Were Brothers', on Thursday, September 5 at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto, TIFF reports said.
The premiere marks the first time a Canadian-made documentary opens the TIFF.
Directed by Daniel Roher (Ghosts of Our Forest), this documentary film tells the moving story of Robertson’s personal journey as he overcame adversity to find the four other men who would become his brothers in music and made their mark on music history.
'Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band' blends photography, iconic songs, and interviews with many of Robertson’s friends and collaborators.
“This is one of Toronto’s great stories of a hometown hero," said Bailey, Artistic Director & Co-Head of TIFF.
“This stirring documentary takes audiences on a musical journey and shows us just what it takes to build one of the most significant groups in rock history,” said Vicente, Executive Director & Co-Head of TIFF.
“I’m so tremendously honored that the premiere of Once Were Brothers, inspired by my memoir Testimony, will be the opening movie at TIFF this year, in my hometown of Toronto, Ontario, Canada,” said Robertson.
Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band will stream on Crave in Canada later this year.
I’m in awe. Daniel Roher, one of the most dedicated, hard-working people I know, directed a documentary on Robbie Robertson that’s been selected to open TIFF.
— Louis Century (@LouisCentury) July 18, 2019
It’s the first ever Cdn doc selected to open TIFF.
At 26, Daniel is the youngest-ever filmmaker to open TIFF.
SO PROUD https://t.co/frlvD9Z2Fu
For the first time in its history, the Toronto International Film Festival will open with a Canadian-made documentary. https://t.co/a6JsYmeZpm
— CBC Toronto (@CBCToronto) July 19, 2019
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)
Image: Cameron Bailey and Joana Vicente
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