Hayao Miyazaki’s latest animated movie, “The Boy and the Heron,” marked the commencement of the Toronto International Film Festival, making it the first animated film to secure this prestigious opening slot.
The festival’s red carpet was notably subdued this year due to an ongoing strike by Hollywood actors, but attendees can still anticipate a diverse lineup featuring around 50 films over the course of 11 days. Among the featured films are Craig Gillespie’s “Dumb Money,” “Lee” starring Kate Winslet, and Taika Waititi’s “Next Goal Wins.”
In addition, Patricia Arquette and Kristin Scott Thomas will make their directorial debuts with “Gonzo Girl” and “North Star,” respectively.
Junichi Nishioka, an executive at Studio Ghibli, expressed pride that “The Boy and the Heron” was chosen to open the festival. “The selection demonstrates that the lines between animation and live-action cinema are increasingly blurred,” Nishioka said.
The film narrates a semi-autobiographical tale of a young boy grappling with his mother’s death and is widely considered to be the 82-year-old Miyazaki’s final work. The director, acclaimed for masterpieces like “Spirited Away” and “My Neighbor Totoro,” was not present at the festival’s opening.
The ongoing strike, led by the Writers Guild of America and the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), started in May over disputes about compensation and the use of artificial intelligence. A few actors, including Patricia Arquette, Camila Morrone, and William Dafoe, received union authorization to promote their respective films.
Morrone commented on the labour action, describing it as “crucial” and emphasizing the need for a quick resolution. “I’m fortunate to be here, but many couldn’t make it due to the strike,” she said.
The strike has prompted over 150,000 actors and 65,000 writers across the U.S. to halt work and promotional activities. Consequently, the 2023 Emmy Awards have been rescheduled for January of next year.
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, the national executive director of SAG-AFTRA, expressed cautious optimism about future negotiations. “We’ll return to the negotiating table eventually. While I hope it’s sooner rather than later, I’m confident that the final agreement will be fair and respectful for our members,” he said.
As the Toronto International Film Festival showcases a diverse slate of cinematic works despite the obstacles posed by the Hollywood strike, it serves as a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the global film industry. With Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” setting a precedent as the opening animated feature, the festival not only celebrates the evolving landscape of cinema but also highlights the pressing labour issues that still require resolution. Whether these issues will be settled soon remains uncertain, but what is clear is that film, as a form of artistic expression and social commentary, continues to hold its ground even in challenging times.
