The World Premiere of Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band, Daniel Roher’s documentary focusing on Robertson and the creation of The Band, will open the 44th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Thursday 5th September.
Inspired by Robertson’s 2016 memoir, Testimony, the film blends rare archival footage, photos, songs, and interviews with many of Robertson’s friends and collaborators, including Martin Scorsese, Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Peter Gabriel, Taj Mahal, Dominique Robertson, and Ronnie Hawkins.
“This is one of Toronto’s great stories of a hometown hero,” said Bailey, Artistic Director & Co-Head of TIFF. “From his early years in this city, to the inspiration he took from life on the Six Nations reserve, to the impact he’s had on generations of music lovers, Robertson emerges in Roher’s film as a truly Canadian-made superstar. In our first year as TIFF’s Co-Heads, Joana and I are thrilled to open the Festival with a Canadian story that speaks to the world.”
“I’m so tremendously honoured 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.
The 44th Toronto International Film Festival runs September 5–15, 2019. Ticket and package information available online at tiff.net/tickets, by phone (416.599.TIFF or 1.888.599.8433), or in person at TIFF Bell Lightbox until August 11th.
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