Tuesday, January 29, 2008

the genies: northern film makes good!


Ahh we are just so smack in the middle of awards season and before we get too swept up in the U.S Hollywood machine, we can't forget about our own homegrown Genie Awards, or the Canadian Oscars as we like to call them.  Those nominations came out today and it's pretty exciting as it was a good year for Canadian films.  The big winner of the year looks to be Shake Hands with the Devil -- the story of the Rwandan genocide and the actions of Canadian General Romeo Dallaire.  I saw this film at Cinefest this year and it just blew me away.  I said then and I still believe it now that this is such an important film for so many reasons.  Everyone should make a point to see it as it will truly make you think about your role in the world and just how much you're willing to turn a blind eye to.  It really and truly will make you think.  The production company, Barna Alper Productions has shot a number of things here in Northern Ontario and we've had the pleasure of working with them on a couple of their projects so we are thrilled to hear about their pile of nominations (12 of them to be exact)!  
Another exciting nomination, the film That Beautiful Somewhere which was shot in North Bay.  One of the producers is involved with our organization and we are over the moon for him!  Congrats Bill!!  We were lucky enough to make a visit out to the set while they were shooting (that's right ladies, Roy Dupuis in the flesh!) and to see it get recognized is so great.
Check out the Genies website for a full list of nominations.  Obviously, it goes without saying that Away From Her is all over the place with nominations.  A curious note, Ellen Page's nomination for Bruce MacDonald's film The Tracey Fragments.  From the accounts I've heard, it's not that great a movie.  I wonder how much of her nomination is capitalizing on the Juno machine and how much of it is actually because her work in the movie was genuinely good.  Interesting.  Check out the Best Director category though -- talk about all the Canadian heavy-hitters all in one place -- Sarah Polley, Denys Arcand, David Cronenberg, Bruce MacDonald!  So exciting.  

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Tara, I love Roy Dupuis' work and am so excited that you got to visit the set of TBS. It is such a beautiful area. I wonder if you'd be kind enough to share the details of your visit? I'd be grateful for any info. I'm looking forward to seeing SHWTD and keeping my fingers crossed for a win.

tara said...

There's not really that much to tell I'm afraid. One of the producers is an associate through work and he invited us out to the set. We hung out and tried not to be in the way, met some of the people involved and chatted with our friend but alas, no Roy face-time I'm sorry to report. But still fun!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reply. I would love to visit any film set but Roy's presence (seen or unseen) would be the biggest bonus! LOL and I know a large number of women who'd give limbs/organs for the privilege ;)