Incendies, Barney’s Version dominate Genies
Denis Villeneuve reigned over Canada’s Genie Awards for a second year in a row, with his searing family drama Incendies earning a leading eight trophies in Ottawa Thursday night.
The intense film ó which follows two siblings on a search for answers about their late mother’s war-torn past ó nabbed the coveted Genie for best picture at the evening gala held at the National Arts Centre.
“Thank you to the Canadian public, who were loving and supporting Incendies across Canada, from Halifax to Vancouver. We are very proud of that. We are very thankful. Especially to the QuÈbÈcois, thank you,” producer Kim McCraw said as she and fellow producer Luc DÈry accepted the Genie for the film.
Based on Wajdi Mouawad’s acclaimed stage play of the same name, Incendies was also recognized with Genies for best adapted screenplay, best actress for Belgian Lubna Azabal, and direction for Montreal’s Villeneuve.
“I’m deeply touched. It was already a huge honour to be with the [other nominees],” Villeneuve said as he accepted the best director trophy for the border-crossing picture.
Villeneuve thanked his cast, crew and creative team, and also extended thanks to “all the people, our friends in Jordan, from Iraq and Lebanon also that helped us. Thank you very much. This goes straight to my heart.”
Villeneuve’s previous feature, Polytechnique ó a black-and-white retelling of the Montreal massacre that he filmed at the same time as Incendies ó dominated the 2010 Genie Awards.
Going into the 2011 Genie gala, Incendies and Barney’s Version were the night’s two front-runners. Both had already earned accolades from other quarters, including Academy Award nominations, though neither won at the Oscars.
The long-awaited literary adaptation of Mordecai Richler’s final opus proved nearly as strong as Incendies at the Genies, with the Montreal-set film winning in seven categories, including a trio of acting honours.
Barney’s Version star Paul Giamatti and co-stars Dustin Hoffman and Minnie Driver all scored prizes ó best actor, supporting actor and supporting actress, respectively ó though none were present in Ottawa to accept their Genies.
Giamatti did send a written message, which was read by co-star Rachelle Lefevre.
“To be acknowledged in the country that produced this great film, the tremendous novel it’s based on and the uniquely brilliant author Mordecai Richler, is pleasing and moving to me beyond words. But honestly, I’m particularly happy that I can take this as a sign that I’m not the American guy that screwed this whole thing up for Canada and Canadians,” Giamatti wrote.
He also thanked the Richler family, “who took in and looked after a stray cat of an actor and made him feel deeply at ease and at home.”
Montreal in the spotlight
Other Montreal filmmakers also won Genie kudos at the ceremony.
Chinese-Canadian Lixin Fan received the best documentary Genie for his internationally acclaimed Last Train Home, a poignant examination of the struggles faced by Chinese migrant workers.
Rising young writer-director Jacob Tierney, son of veteran filmmaker Kevin Tierney, earned the best original screenplay award for his teen comedy The Trotsky.
The film’s star, popular Canadian geek-chic actor Jay Baruchel, won the fan-voted user’s choice award ó spearheaded by celebrity news and gossip site HollywoodLife.com and CBC, which broadcast Thursday’s gala.
“Thank you so much. I literally didn’t know that this was an option, so thank you for voting,” a clearly astonished Baruchel said on-stage.
“I’ll say you people have impeccable taste.”
The Trotsky picked up a third trophy, best original song, for the tune Already Gone by Mary Milne.
Previously announced winners include:
Montrealer JephtÈ Bastien, recipient of the Claude Jutra Award for first-time filmmakers for youth gang drama Sortie 67 (Exit 67)
The 3D zombie apocalypse blockbuster Resident Evil: Afterlife, winner of the Golden Reel Award for being Canada’s top box office draw of the past year.
The 2011 Genie gala was a star-studded, multi-discipline arts affair, with veteran actor William Shatner serving as host and a number of performances from the likes of Melissa Etheridge and Serena Ryder, rock troupe Karkwa, rapper Kardinal Offishall, country singer Johnny Reid and dancers from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet.
Here is the complete list of winners at the 2011 Genie Awards
Best picture: Incendies
Direction: Denis Villeneuve, Incendies
Original screenplay: Jacob Tierney, The Trotsky
Adapted screenplay: Denis Villeneuve, Incendies
Lead actor: Paul Giamatti, Barney’s Version
Lead actress: Lubna Azabal, Incendies
Supporting actor: Dustin Hoffman, Barney’s Version
Supporting actress: Minnie Driver, Barney’s Version
Art direction/production design: Barney’s Version
Cinematography: Incendies
Costume design: Barney’s Version
Make-up: Barney’s Version
Editing: Incendies
Original score: Barney’s Version
Original song: Already Gone (The Trotsky)
Overall sound: Incendies
Sound editing: Incendies
Documentary: Last Train Home
Live action short drama: Savage
Animated short: Lipsett Diaries (Les Journaux de Lipsett)
Claude Jutra Award: JephtÈ Bastien, Sortie 67
Golden Reel Award: Resident Evil: Afterlife
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