Quebec Leads the Genie Nominations

Quebec Leads the Genie Nominations

Cinematical


January 9, 2007



by Monika Bartyzel




Quebec definitely seems to be the prolific cup from which the Canadian Genie Awards grabs its nominees. Last year, Jean-Marc Vallee's C.R.A.Z.Y. rightfully dominated the awards, scoring 10 of their 12 nominations. This year, the French province is still reigning over the awards, vastly overshadowing any English offerings. If more people actually paid attention to these awards, people might just think that the French are the only ones to make films up here.

Acting as the lone English entry for best picture stands the Trailer Park Boys: The Movie, which is not a surprise nomination considering its success, but it is almost sure to be beaten by one of the French selections which range from the hugely popular, Colm Feore-starring Bon Cop, Bad Cop to Roger Frappier's Guide de la Petite Vengeance, and the hockey biopic -- Maurice Richard/The Rocket. However, there are three English films fighting for many of the remaining spots -- getting a lot more Canadian love than they did from the world-at-large. The actresses of Snow Cake have trumped the acting nominations with three, but I am holding out for newcomer Jodelle Ferland, from Terry Gilliam's quirky Tideland, to dance her way to a Genie win as best actress. The third of the stronger English-language-nomination-grabbers is Beowulf & Grendel, a visually stunning film that is already being overshadowed by Robert Zemeckis' adaptation.

The ACTRA strike, which is now a few days in, shouldn't affect the distribution of the awards, or so Paul Gratton, the Genies' chairman claims. However, there's a good chance it will affect next year's possible nominees if an agreement isn't reached soon.



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