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'Persistent' Polley walks away with top awards

GAYLE MACDONALD

From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 11:32 PM EST 03/03/08

Canadian's directorial debut commands major Genie prizes — best picture and director, best actor and actress ...Read the full article

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  1. Danny Jasper from Alert, Canada writes: Congratulations Sarah Polley! Great Job!
  2. Just A Guy from Toronto, Canada writes: Congrats to Polley who has come quite a ways from her days on Wind At My Back.

    ah sails..your comment about burkhas is off the mark. The only politician to ever entertain anything close was Liberal McGuinty floating around sharia law.

    If these productions want to avoid 'censorship', they can always go without tax dollars and use strictly private money. That said, even they admit the taxpayer funding is needed or these films won't be made which begs a totally other question...if it is not economically viable for private sources WHY are we using tax $$??
  3. diane marie from calgary, Canada writes: I feel as if I'm repeating myself, but I liked Sarah Polley (with Julie Christie in a small part) in The Secret Life of Words.
  4. Saskatchewan Seal Hunter Club from Canada writes: YAWN
  5. Alyssa Watson from Canada writes: Why wasnt Juno nominated?
  6. Johnny Canuck from Canada writes: A great year for Canadian film. Congrats Sarah and co.
  7. John Percy from Halifax, Canada writes: Alyssa Watson from Canada writes: Why wasnt Juno nominated?

    Juno is an American film shot in Canada with a Canadian director and a Canadian lead actress, but did not qualify under the content regulations. It is strictly an American film, and probably would never have been made here.
  8. John Percy from Halifax, Canada writes: Just A Guy from Toronto, Canada writes: If these productions want to avoid 'censorship', they can always go without tax dollars and use strictly private money. That said, even they admit the taxpayer funding is needed or these films won't be made which begs a totally other question...if it is not economically viable for private sources WHY are we using tax $$??' Well JAG, first of all, it is an investment tax credit, not my 'hard earned tax dollars'. Private investment sources in this country will not invest in a film unless they can see that their tax credit is in place and that other sources of funding are available. No financial backer will back a film with 100% of the money, and like most other investors, would like to receive a tax credit for their investment. Otherwise they'll invest in Canadian stocks where they can get an even BIGGER tax credit. But perhaps you are the one person in this country that tells his tax acountant not to apply for any tax breaks or exemptions you may be entitled to, because you don't want someone else's hard earned tax dollars supporting your 'windfall'. Most other jurisdictions in the world, icluding the US, offer tax credits for film production and Canada's tax credit for films is one of the lowest in the Western world. If we want to compete we have to be playing the same game. American productions that shoot up here can also apply for a partial tax credit on salaries paid to Canadian workers on the film, but it is only a 16% tax relief credit on salaries. Most other jurisdictional tax credits offer a 16 to 22% tax credit on the cost of the entire production.
  9. Paul Chapman from Laputa, Canada writes: Yay! I always loved Sarah Polley since I saw her in 'Munschausen.' Congratulations!
  10. Carolyn Bongiorno from Glenham,NY, United States writes: Congratulations to Sarah Polley and company. I first saw her in 'The Sweet Thereafter' and knew she was remarkable then. I haven't seen this latest flick yet, but I've heard wonderful things about it.

    As to the question of 'Juno,' since it has a Canadian director that should make it a Canadian movie. Isn't this what Truffaut's auteur theory posits? The money behind it may've come from the States, but it's the director's baby.

    Congrats to all the Genie winners.
  11. P Scott from Canada writes: I'm glad they didn't let the censorship issue go unnoticed.

    Congrats to all the winners.
  12. Joe Palooka from Toronto, Canada writes: Congratulations to Sarah Polley and to the entire cast and crew of Away from Her. Particular kudos to Gordon Pinsent, whose performance in the film was clearly the best. It's a damn shame that he did not receive an Academy Award nomination for his performance, while Julie Christie - who had a lesser role - got one.
  13. margo remusjoseph from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, Canada writes: A solid supporter of Canadian films both English and French plus a 100% supporter of our dynamic local North of Superior Film Association, it never ceases to amaze me how much bunk, or trivial less-than-entertaining divel is pumped into Canada from mainly south of the border and on top of that with promotional materials that often outstrip the film production costs.
    If Canada and Canadians promoted their films more appropriately and if they were given a 'stage' [and for more than a one week run], maybe more people would finally realize the fine artists and artistry that we have in our country. [We are rich in that category!]
    I want to identify more often with Canada and what's Canadian [or truly international] instead of having US locales, US mores, US lingo and the US always considering it the be-all and end-all. It's just propaganda! Their propaganda!
    And will we see the Genies? I couldn't find them on my TV last night.
    Cheers to the Sarah Polley's of this country! Real substance!
  14. E Maclachlan from Canada writes: Almost every year since its inception one film has garnered the lion's share of awards.

    'Eastern Promises' was the best film that Cronenberg has directed. It should have won best director. Not that 'Away From Her' was undeserving.

    It's the culture around the Genies that I find sophomoric and sentimental. Which is too bad as there were very good films this year.
  15. Sue Hickey from Grand Falls-Windsor, Canada writes: Gord Pinsent is a wonderful fellow. I just got off the phone with him. He is so deserving of his award and others as well. He is from my current place of residence, Grand Falls-Windsor, and he's a sweetheart. Our arts and culture centre is named after him. I grew up with Gord in a way, watching "A Gift To Last," among other shows, and it is so nice to see him get this. (And it's too bad he never got nominated for the Oscars, but that's more studio-driven than anything else.) And Daniel Day-Lewis has become a fan of his. Robin Williams was also blown away by Gord and "Away From Her!" Newfoundland produces a lot of talent for a small province and Gordon is but one shining example of what we can do.
  16. Barry Turner from Ottawa, Canada writes: It's too bad Sandra Oh felt she had to bring politics into the Genie Awards, which should just be a celebration of art and the freedom of expression that makes it great, but that scene was scripted by Stephen Harper and his book and film burning goons.
  17. Howdy Hicks from Hog Town, Canada writes: Genie Awards!!!

    Don't you just get soooo embarrassed??!!

    We are not Americans so let us - pleease God - STOP trying to be like them with our half assed attempts

    We are Canadians!!

    God bless us, ever one!!
  18. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Howdy Hicks wins best post award!
  19. zen rainbow from here there everywhere, Canada writes: ONe of the most boring films i've ever watched. Felt like i got alzheimers from watchin less than 1/2 the film. Amazing how people get highly rewarded for mediocrity. Of course if POlley was fat and ugly she wouldn't be getting any awards.
  20. Steven Rzewski from toronto, Canada writes: Zen Rainbow, there are many other film options out there - if you wanted a mashup I don't know why you would have chosen to see a movie like this one. You don't put Beethoven in your iPod to go work out, do you?

    I think it is great the way Sarah looks - sure she is beautiful but she just looks real. She could have tried to become a sort of Scarlett Johansson, but realized that she had a brain.

    The most underrated Canadian in a huge field of underrated Canadians. She makes me so much more proud than those Canadian-born American actors, singers, and hockey players that spend their lives in the states and claim to be proudly Canadian when it suits them.

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