The TV series premieres in Canada at the Festival on the TIFF digital platform. “Women in Uniform – Blue is the new Pink”, ICFF Call the Shots Celebrates Female Power in the protective and public service industries through the testimonies by renowned female police officers, firefighters and members of the Canadian navy.
TORONTO – The ICFF, in partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival, proudly presents its 4th edition of Call the Shots: Female Power Through Film, available online nation-wide on the renowned TIFF digital platform, from March 8th to March 29th, featuring the captivating and show-stopping tv series, Petra. This year, the initiative will focus on the essential contribution of women in the protective and public service industries with a compelling panel discussion featuring some of the most successful and highly-accomplished female officials, Deryn Rizzi, Fire Chief and Director, Emergency Management, Mississauga; Shawna Coxon, Deputy Chief of Toronto Police; Kelly Williamson, Commander, Director Public Affairs at Royal Canadian Navy; and Virginia Hackson, Chair, the Regional Municipality of York Police Services Board, Mayor of the Town of East Gwillimbury.
Highlighting the importance and impact that events such as Call the Shots have in today’s society, Mara Cataldi, ICFF Director of Operations and founder of the initiative emphasized, “unlike many other initiatives focused on female empowerment, which are incredibly important in their own right, Call the Shots: Female Power Through Film is unique. Every year we select a different thematic, and we commit to analyze it from the perspective of women who have achieved great success and become experts in their respective fields”.
The event which launched in 2018 in celebration of International Women’s Day, is proud to maintain its commitment by dedicating its 2021 edition to “Women in Uniform”, honouring the female power in Law Enforcement, Firefighting and the Navy/Military. The ICFF has decided to enrich the theme of the event through the screening of one of Italy’s latest and most acclaimed TV series, based on the bestselling novel “Death Rites” by Alicia Gimenez-Bartlett, and starring the talented Paola Cortellesi. Petra, produced by Cattleya and Sky and distributed worldwide by ITV, will be screened in Canadian Premiere exclusively for the ICFF Monthly program members, and will represent a unique film experience organized thanks to the incredible partnership with TIFF.
Petra follows the story of detective Petra Delicato, a twice-divorced sleuth chained to a tiresome desk job amongst sexist colleagues, suddenly thrust onto the front line to solve violent crimes. Petra is an intelligent, courageous, and stubborn police inspector that goes against societal stereotypes and strives to prove herself, without submitting to the soft and tamed role people would like her to play. Together with her partner, Antonio Monte, an old-school cop close to retirement, Petra will dive deep into Genoa’s crime scenes and fearlessly fight to bring justice to all the people counting on her.
Call the Shots will further the discussion between awe-inspiring panelists and representatives of the Canadian police force through a poignant discussion panel, moderated by ICFF Artistic Director Cristiano de Florentiis and Coordinator of Cultural Events Tonia Serrao Soppelsa. The speakers will recount their experiences in their respective industries, highlighting their journey and how they were able to navigate this very unique and still male-dominated field, and provide an example for many girls out there looking to take a similar course.
During the dynamic conversation that will air on March 8th, Commander Kelly Williamson wisely pointed out, “for women of my generation the struggle is breaking down those perceptions of what leadership is in a very male dominated industry”. She then continued, “I thought I had to be type A, I thought I had to exude very masculine qualities and I didn’t necessarily like the person I was becoming. Then I stepped back, and I realized the power that is owning your authentic self, how much more I could bring to the table when I acknowledged who I really was”.
Although joining the protective and public service industries still remains a very unconventional career path for women, this has not stopped many in Canada and around the world from pursuing their lifelong dream. When speaking about Petra, Chief Deryn Rizzi stated that, “when the protagonist (Petra) says she cares little about the judgment of others on how she lives her life, certainly I fall in line with her in that I don’t feel I necessarily have to identify why I made certain decisions. I think it’s because I value our organization and the work that we do”.
Certainly the event will engage audiences Canada-wide and will provide an interesting reflection on the role of women in modern times, bringing to attention the important roles and pivotal services that many women play in keeping us safe and protected.
