A touching drama stole the spotlight last night at the 16th annual Gemini awards ceremony -- one that had nothing to do with the world of make-believe.
Among the 18 statuettes handed out to actors, directors, producers and broadcasters was the inaugural edition of the Gemini Humanitarian Award, presented to screenwriter Donald Martin.
For the past 12 years, Martin has sponsored an impoverished Colombian, Luiz Oswaldo Rodriguez, under the auspices of the Foster Parents Plan of Canada. But going far beyond the terms of the program, Martin agreed to finance Rodriguez's medical schooling -- at a cost of more than $60,000.
Last night, as Martin prepared to accept his award, the 19-year-old made a surprise appearance on the podium. Choking back tears, he embraced his sponsor.
"It's an investment in a family," Martin explained afterward. "I've been pretty blessed, and I don't think [what I'm giving]is a lot."
In addition to the Gemini, Martin receives $10,000 from Global Television to donate to the charity of his choice -- the Foster Parents Plan.
Capping a three-night extravaganza, the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television also handed out Geminis to some of the most popular names in Canadian TV.
In a two-hour gala ceremony with comedian Mike Bullard as host and broadcast on CBC, Da Vinci's Inquest,the CBC's long-running crime show, won its third consecutive Gemini for best dramatic series, while its principal star, Nicholas Campbell, won one for best performance by an actor. (Earlier, Campbell pocketed a second statuette for his guest-star appearance in another crime series, Blue Murder,while Da Vinci creator Chris Haddock won for best direction and for best writing of a dramatic-series episode.)
Another CBC series, Street Cents, now in its 13th season, won its sixth Gemini -- for best children's or youth program or series.
Other previous winners saluted during the final evening included scriptwriter Suzette Couture -- best writing in a dramatic program or mini-series -- for After the Harvest,a two-hour Gothic drama of life on the Prairie in the 1920s (CTV).
Two CBC personalities were repeat winners: Peter Mansbridge, for best news anchor; and Ron MacLean, for best sports broadcaster.
And Made In Canada,the half-hour show featuring Rick Mercer, won two Geminis -- for best comedy program or series (CBC); and for best ensemble performance in a comedy program or series.
Alliance Atlantis and Productions La Fete's Nuremberg (CTV), based on the post-Second World War trials of Nazi military officers, won the Gemini for best dramatic mini-series. In total, Nuremberg, starring Alec Baldwin and Jill Henessey, garnered four Geminis.
Scorn (CBC), a $3.5-million drama based on 17-year-old Darren Hueneman's real-life murder of his mother and grandmother in Victoria, B.C., in 1991, earned the citation for best TV movie.
Actress Babz Chula won the Gemini for best performance in a continuing leading dramatic role. She played magazine publisher Esme Prince in These Arms of Mine,a CBC series.
Actor Hugh Thompson won a Gemini for best performance in a leading role in a drama or mini-series for Blessed Stranger: After Flight 111,the story of the Swissair jet that crashed off Peggys Cove in Nova Scotia, in September, 1998, (CTV). The award for best performance by an actress in a leading role in a drama or mini-series went to 18-year-old Elisha Cuthbert, for Lucky Girl (CTV).
The Donald Brittain Award for best social/political documentary went to Breakaway - A Tale of Two Survivors which chronicled the troubled relationship between two men coping with the consequences of traumatic brain injury (CTV).
Actor Jackie Burroughs won the Earle Grey Award, honouring her contribution to the international profile of Canadian television. Burroughs played Aunt Hetty on CBC's
Road to Avonlea.
Gemini award winners, 2001
TV movie: Scorn Dramatic Mini-series: Nuremberg Dramatic Series: DaVinci's Inquest Comedy Program or Series: Made in Canada Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary: Breakaway -- A Tale of Two Survivors Childrens' or Youth Program or Series: Street Cents Direction in a Drama: Jerry Ciccoritti (Chasing Cain) Writing in a Drama: Suzette Couture (After the Harvest) Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama: Hugh Thompson (Blessed Stranger: After Flight 111) Actress in a Leading Role in a Drama: Elisha Cuthbert (Lucky Girl) Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: Nicholas Campbell (DaVinci's Inquest) Actress in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role: Babz Chula (These Arms of Mine) Ensemble Performance in a Comedy: Rick Mercer, Emily Hampshire, Peter Keleghan, Dan Lett, Leah Pinsent News Anchor: Peter Mansbridge (CBC News: The National: P.E.T./Town Hall/Election) Sports Broadcaster: Ron MacLean (NHL All Star Break & NHL All Star Game) 16th Annual Gemini Humanitarian Award: Donald Martin Earle Grey Award: Jackie Burroughs Royal Canadian Mint Viewers' Choice Award: Royal Canadian Air Farce (CBC Television)
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