TIFF 2024 Kicks Off with a Celebration of Tragically Hip

The 49th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) kicks off on Opening Day with a celebration of one of Canada’s most esteemed bands.

Tragically Fashionable: No Dress Rehearsal — a four-part documentary directed by Mike Downie, brother of the band’s late frontman — will have its world premiere at the Royal Alexandra Theatre on September 5.

The documentary explores the band’s early days — when friends Gord Downie, Gord Sinclair, Rob Baker, Paul Langlois and Johnny Fay were living in Kingston, Ontario — and follows their evolution over the course of their 40-year musical career.

The Tragically Hip’s manager and executive producer Jake Gold calls the film “the most important document of the band’s entire career,” featuring “never-before-seen” footage, photography and audio.

WATCH | Documentary Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube.com/watch

“I think when people watch it, they’ll see a group of brothers who really treat each other like family,” Gold told CBC Toronto.

“Through all the ups and downs, everyone continued to support each other and their visions.”

TIFF is renowned for showcasing the best Canadian and international films each summer, bringing the industry’s biggest stars to the city.

Public tribute to the band after the premiere

Following the film premiere, there will be a free public sing-along to celebrate the premiere of the Hip, hosted by Choir!Choir!Choir!, a singing event that launched in Toronto.

“Being able to sing these songs in a public space in downtown Toronto that is mentioned in their songs makes me feel like the collective joy and love for the band will be felt in a way that will be remembered for a really long time,” co-creator Nobu Adilman said ahead of the event.

Choir!Choir!Choir! has previously held tributes to the Tragically Hip and Downie, including one at Yonge-Dundas Square in 2018, a year after the frontman’s death, at which members of the band played live.

Adilman said the people behind the documentary contacted him and co-creator Daveed Goldman about doing Thursday’s show, and they “immediately said yes because it’s just so meaningful.”

“It will be really controlled chaos,” Adilman said.

“The electricity of Festival Street and TIFF and the excitement that people have for the festival, the fact that (singing is) free — we just want everyone to show up.”

49th edition of TIFF

This year’s list of expected stars includes Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Will Ferrell and Matt Damon.

According to the TIFF website, this year’s festival is screening 278 films, including 20 in the Official Selection category, including films by RJ Cutler and David Furnish Elton John: It’s never too late AND Reserve ballproduced by LeBron James.

The 11-day festival will take place from September 5-15 and will take place on King Street, between University Avenue and Peter Street, with red carpets, art exhibitions and free attractions.