Jay Baruchel's film The Stunt Driver premieres at Toronto International Film Festival | Glasner-0800

It's the opening weekend of the Toronto International Film Festival and several big-ticket films are making world premieres to kick off the celebration of all things cinema, and that includes a new Canadian film about an underdog evil Knievel wannabe. The CBC's Eli Glasner has more from the red carpet premiere of The Stunt Driver. At a time of increased cross-border tension, the director of FUBAR, Michael Dowse and Jay Beruchel have brought here to TIFF a movie about a man known as the Mad Canadian. The film is called The Stunt Driver. There's the car being towed away at the moment, but it was here for the opening. And at this increased time of tension with America, this film about a Canadian daredevil who felt like he was competing with the American evil Knievel, well Beruchel says it couldn't be more perfect. I think if you've ever been talked down to, if you've ever been dismissed, if you've ever been written off, you understand where this comes from. I'll say this, it's an indignant middle finger that took the form of a ramp. Now Michael Dowse, the director, he has been working to make this movie a reality for many years. It is quite the passion project. It's actually based on a real life NFB documentary. In fact, the director of the documentary about Ken Carter was here on the red carpet. But for years, Dowse didn't know who would play this version of Ken Carter, the Canadian daredevil, the Mad Canadian, until he looked at Jay Beruchel differently. I saw Blackberry and I was like, my God, we've been friends for 20 years. And in my mind, he was always sort of 29. And then I saw Blackberry and it's a great film, obviously. And he's fantastic in the movie. And it all sort of clicked. And I think really, you have to stake your claim as a director, you can chase your own tail trying to cast. And Jay was perfect. Now Beruchel is known as someone who is incredibly passionate about Canada, about Canadian TV and film. He lives here in this country and asked about the current tension with President Trump and America. He's not concerned. I believe that compassion and reason will triumph. And listen, we have gone up, we have never done anything but punch above our weight. And our record is pretty bloody strong when it comes to that. And so going off of history and making an educated decision, I guess, as a fan of history, we will be absolutely fine. We always find a way through. And the cast and crew are hoping that fans will race to theatres to see The Stunt Driver. Eli Glasner, CBC News, Toronto.