“I’m a storyteller that works a lot with historical narrative. I always feel like we’re in the presence of history, and I don’t understand why people don’t see life that way. This year, people see it that way.” ––@Ava DuVernay on 2020 #TIFF20
"Not to let bad behaviour slide, especially as related to male crew members and their interactions with you as a woman. It’s important to call it by what it is...in the open. Let it be known–certain things won’t be tolerated." #TIFF20
On making the 2014 historical drama, SELMA:
"I’m always hurt by people who think that non-violence is the easy way. Non-violence is incredibly muscular…I really wanted to show how complicated it is and the strategy." ––@Ava DuVernay #TIFF20
.@Ava shares that when she meets people outside of the United States, they often know about her because of 13TH.
"I made this thinking no one would see it. People lead with 13TH, and not SELMA. 13TH is widely distributed across the world in local languages." #TIFF20
With WHEN THEY SEE US, @ava explored the impact of Black criminalization across an extended period of time.
"These boys and all of their families were traumatized. When you criminalize one person,the affect that that has, the tentacles of that accusation on a community." #TIFF20
Reflecting on the relationship between images, videos, and Black Lives Matter, @ava shared:
"We need to make sure it’s not used as propaganda, and it’s used for the purpose of truth telling...I look forward to the day when the image is not used to state that we matter." #TIFF20
While working on SELMA with Congressman John Lewis, @ava shared that he was generous with his time, open, and funny.
"He gave it all to me freely with such kindness and warmth. He was very emotional throughout the process. That past was very present for him." #TIFF20
And...that's all for now. A very special thank you to the incomparable @Ava DuVernay for joining us this evening at #TIFF20.
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"Fiction features, it's such a rare and a hard thing to do, especially in this country, when you're telling stories where it's from the Black experience. People aren't knocking down our door...It's a lot of convincing." —Charles Officer (@canesugar)
Acclaimed Canadian filmmaker and founder of @Canesugar Filmworks, Charles Officer’s career began with his first short film WHEN MORNING COMES in 2000.
“That sensitivity to the person behind the persona is pure Officer. He’s political, sure, but his big interest is in people. The linking of those scales—the human and the system—drives his best work.” —Daniel Glassman
“When you find community, you find yourself as well.”
Star @rizwanahmed discusses how his character in SOUND OF METAL embarks on a journey from self-reliance to finding community in unexpected places.
.@dariusmarder’s assured debut feature SOUND OF METAL follows a heavy metal drummer who begins to experience hearing loss, and fights to hold on to what defines him.
“You have the deaf community, but it’s not a monolith: you have so many different people, so many different identities. And really, it’s important for us in the film to represent the deaf community and the diversity in this film.” —SOUND OF METAL star Chelsea Lee
Autumn Peltier on what she hopes THE WATER WALKER will do for climate change awareness:
"Everyone needs water. We are all one. I hope we can all come together and create awareness for our future, and protect the land and the water." #TIFF20
Greta Thunberg on the future of climate activism:
"It isn’t going to be the politicians who suddenly realize there’s a climate crisis...But by influencing all people in general, we can build that pressure towards elected officials. That’s how a democracy works." #TIFF20
"'You’re only 15 years old, why does it matter what you say?' But it’s more impactful coming from a child, because we shouldn’t have to be the ones to speak up about these issues. We have to empower youth." —Autumn Peltier on the criticism of her age as an activist #TIFF20
“A lot of people think that making those films, and films that are intense in subject matter, end up being super intense and depressing sets. For me, it was a set of constant discovery and excitement, and fun.” ––@DarrenAronofsky on REQUIEM FOR A DREAM #TIFF20
Star @BurstynEllen delivered a transformative performance in REQUIEM FOR A DREAM, and earned an @TheAcademy Award nomination for it.
“Most work that you do, you can do pretty easily. But this was gorgeously hard. Difficult, and demanding, and it was just exhilarating.” #TIFF20