TIFF goes 'Behind the Masks' with world premiere of Indigenous film
CTV
Being on a red carpet is a dream for most. For Neil Diamond and Joanne Robertson, it has become a reality with the premiere of their film: So Surreal: Behind The Masks.
Being on a red carpet is a dream for most. For Neil Diamond and Joanne Robertson, it has become a reality with the premiere of their film: So Surreal: Behind the Masks.
It's TIFF week. And Canada's most recognizable and largest venue for on-screen entertainment is opening up more and more to Indigenous content. This year, So Surreal: Behind The Masks is a detective mystery and history of Yupʼik and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw ceremonial masks.
Neil Diamond and Joanne Robertson are co-directors.
"It's great. It's great exposure. I hope all these people who see the film and who have these masks will want to return them," said Diamond.
However, making the film came with certain challenges: many members of First Nations cultures don't like spiritual masks to be shown on screen.
"We were always checking with the community members to see if it was okay, what wasn't okay," said Robertson.
In the film, Diamond sets out on a quest to find the coveted 'transformation mask,' of the Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw people of BC's Pacific Northwest.
