2009 Genies: Passchendaele is a Winner
Ashley Fraser, The Ottawa Citzen
It was a night of humour and honour for achievement in film as Canadian funny man Dave Foley led the 29th Annual Genie Awards gala show on Saturday.
Paul Gross’ epic war movie, Passchendaele wins Best Motion Picture and 5 other Genies, while The Necessitates of Life nabbed four, including Best Director for Benoit Pilon and Leading Actor for Natar Ungalaaq. Kristen Booth shone on stage and on the red carpet as she took home Best Supporting Actress.
For a peek at the highlights, check our 2009 Genie Awards highlights gallery.
Dave Foley to Host 2009 Genie Awards
Sonia Mansillo
Canadian funny man Dave Foley will host the 2009 Genie Awards. "I'm extremely honoured to host the Genie Awards, and I'm looking forward to celebrating the achievements of my fellow Canadians in Ottawa," said Foley.
Joining the former Kids in the Hall member on stage, an A-list roster of Canadian stars will present the awards including Genie winners, Gordon Pinsent and Sarah Polley, and Global National News anchor Kevin Newman.
The West Represents in 2009 Genie Noms
Chris Large / CNS
The nominees for the 29th annual Genie Awards, which honour the best in Canadian film, were announced last week by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (ACCT). A total of 12 nominees hail from Western Canada—six from BC, three from Alberta and one from Manitoba. Two nominees are based in California. With Vancouver lovingly dubbed as "Hollywood North" these honours are not surprising. Take a peek at our 2009 Genie Awards photo gallery for a glimpse of the other notable nominees this year. Tell us who you think will win the statues! Go ahead, comment away!
The Necessities of Life Leads 2009 Genie Noms
Seville Pictures
Benoît Pilon's film, Ce qu'il faut pour vivre (The Necessities of Life) about an Inuit hunter’s struggle in a Quebec sanatorium in the 1950s leads the 2009 Genie Awards with eight nominations. The film is also up for an Academy Award next Sunday in the Foreign Language Film category.
Tout est Parfait (Everything is Fine) a film about a teen who survives a suicide pact amongst four friends scores seven nominations. It is followed closely by Paul Gross’ war epic Passchendaele with six nods. Gross also earns a nomination for Best Actor.
