Amanda Seyfried has revealed that she will not be attending the world premiere of her film Seven veils at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, amid the historic double Hollywood strikes.
The actress took to Instagram on Saturday to express her appreciation for the Atom Egoyan-directed film, writing: “I am SO PROUD of this film and it aches my heart not to be next to the beautiful people who helped make this this special movie with us. @tiff_net will premiere next week.”
Seyfried noted that even though SAG-AFTRA had given the film permission to “promote this completely, magically independent Canadian film,” it still “doesn’t feel right to go to the party in light of the strike.”
She added, “I can’t wait to show you all of SEVEN Veils when the time is right (and we’ve reached a fair agreement for actors and writers).”
Since actors joined the writers on the picket lines in July, the big question is whether there will be A-list actors at this year’s film festivals. Stars are prohibited from promoting their film and TV projects unless they obtain waivers from SAG-AFTRA to promote upcoming indie films not affiliated with studios or streamers.
Seven veils will debut on September 10 as part of the Special Presentations sidebar on TIFF.
This opera-themed drama, a Canadian-funded indie film, stars Seyfried as Jeanine, a tortured theater director tasked with re-enacting her former mentor’s most famous work, an adaptation of the opera. Salome by composer Richard Strauss, based on the play by Oscar Wilde. But when her character returns to the opera world after several years of absence, some disturbing memories from her past haunt her, allowing her repressed trauma to color the present.
Seyfried again teamed up with Egoyan, who also directed the actress’ film Chloefor Seven veilswhich also stars Rebecca Liddiard, Douglas Smith, Mark O’Brien and Vinessa Antoine.
The 48th edition of the Toronto Film Festival will take place from September 7 to 17.
