Lisa Ray, Israel controversy cast shadow on Toronto film fest

Toronto, Sep 12 (PTI) A raging political controversy
that refuses to subside and the sad news that Indian-origin
actress Lisa Ray is fighting an incurable strain of cancer
have cast a long shadow on the 34th Toronto International Film
Festival (TIFF).

Even though the ten-day festival has quickly warmed up
with a slew of Hollywood stars like George Clooney, Matt
Damon, Penelope Cruz, Jennifer Connelly and Megan Fox gracing
the red carpet screenings of their latest films, there have
been outpourings of grief from moviegoers in the city for Ray.

Canadian movie fans have been expressing shock and
despair ever since the 37-year-old, Toronto-born Ray announced
on her blog that she is suffering from multiple myeloma.

Ray who will be attending the world premiere of her
latest film, Dilip Mehta's 'Cooking With Stella', on
Wednesday, has made it known that she isn't giving up without
a fight.

"I'm looking for full remission,Deepest crises are
moments of greatest opportunity...a place from which to
combine survival and celebration," wrote the actress who will
be joined by her co-stars Seema Biswas and Shriya Saran on the
red carpet.

On a different plane, TIFF's decision to showcase a
package of films about and made in Tel Aviv in its inaugural
'City to City' section has sparked off a debate among
opponents and supporters of the move. (MORE) PTI