TIFF 2024: When will the documentary film “The Tragically Hip” be shown? | Things to do

Tragically Hip fans who want to gain a deeper insight into the impact and legacy of the beloved Canadian rock band should mark a date on their calendars.

“The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal,” a documentary series, will have its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival.

The four-part series will have a public screening at TIFF on Thursday, September 5, followed by a press and industry screening a week later.

The series, with a total running time of 256 minutes, was produced and directed by Mike Downie, brother of the late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie. But the film is not only about Gord Downie, but also Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair.

The director “weaves never-before-seen archival footage with new interviews with the band, family, friends and famous fans, including Will Arnett, Dan Aykroyd, Jay Baruchel, Sarah Harmer, Geddy Lee and Justin Trudeau,” says a description of the documentary on the TIFF website.

The description goes on to say that the rock documentary takes audiences on a journey through the band's early days playing bars and in the studio to hone their music, and later in major stadiums across Canada as they struggled to break through in the U.S.

The audience also witnesses personal tragedies that have influenced the band's music and bonded its members together like a new family.

“We are always aware of the great tragedy that is yet to come, but Downie is not afraid to grieve the loss of his brother. It colors every conversation about the band, even as their inimitable songs – joyful, loud, tender, touching – structure his series,” the description continues.

The September 5 screening will be at 12:00 p.m. at the Royal Alexandra Theatre, 260 King St. W. Tickets are available on the TIFF website.

Following its world premiere at TIFF, the film is expected to screen at other film festivals across Canada.

It will also be included in the Prime Video offering, although a Prime launch date has yet to be announced.