The October 7th debut of “The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue,” a documentary about an Israeli general’s rescue effort, was greeted by protests and increased security, turning the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) into a platform for tensions in the real world. The screening itself was almost canceled, marking a tumultuous journey for a film its director insists is about “family and unity.”
What is This Documentary About?
Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich’s documentary chronicles the harrowing personal story of retired Israeli Defence Forces Major-General Noam Tibon. After discovering his son and his family were being attacked by Hamas militants, Tibon made a last-ditch effort to flee Tel Aviv to a kibbutz close to the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023.
The film makes extensive use of violent, first-person bodycam footage recorded by Hamas attackers during the incursion. The Tibon family and other Israeli survivors’ interviews are woven throughout this video to provide a vivid and intensely intimate depiction of what happened that day.
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Why Did It Spark Protests at TIFF?
The premiere at the prestigious festival was not without conflict. Outside the screening, a few dozen protesters carrying Palestinian flags gathered to demonstrate against the film. A handful of counter-protesters supporting Israel were also present. The situation required police intervention, resulting in one arrest, according to Toronto Police.
The protests are set against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Gaza, which was sparked by the October 7th attack. Israeli authorities state that Hamas killed about 1,200 people and took 250 hostages that day. The subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza has, according to local health authorities, killed over 64,000 people and created a famine, leading some international scholars and rights groups to accuse Israel of genocide—a charge it denies.
Film Almost Not Shown at TIFF
In a move that added to the controversy, TIFF initially excluded the film from its lineup in mid-August. The festival did not publicly state its reasons at the time.
However, after significant backlash, TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey and director Barry Avrich released a joint statement saying they had worked together to “satisfy safety, legal and programming concerns.” The decision was reversed, and the film was added to the schedule. Ahead of the premiere, Bailey offered a public apology, stating, “I want to apologize, especially to the Jewish community,” a statement that was met with applause from the audience.
What Does the Director Say About the Controversy?
On the red carpet, director Barry Avrich stated he did not object to peaceful protest but wished critics would see the film before judging it.
“I ultimately wish anybody that’s protesting this film watches it first. Then let’s have a conversation,” he said. “In the world right now we need to hear stories of family and unity and that’s what this movie is about.”
Avrich also noted that the film includes criticism of the Israeli government’s preparedness. One subject, Gali Tibon (Noam’s wife), states, “We failed tremendously on that day,” and describes the feeling that “your country abandoned you.”
Despite this criticism, the film’s heroes are armed Israelis, security guards and current and former military members, who are depicted as the ones who ultimately came to the rescue amidst the state’s failure. The film’s journey from exclusion to a protested premiere highlights the immense difficulty cultural institutions face in navigating the deeply polarized discourse surrounding the Israel-Hamas war.
