Away From Her Dominates The Genies

AWAY FROM HER swept the board at the Canadian film industry’s Genie Awards on Monday night (03Mar08), taking home seven of the top prizes including Best Motion Picture.

The movie – filmmaker Sarah Polley’s adaptation of Alice Munro’s short story The Bear Came Over The Mountain – chronicles the sad tale of a man gradually losing his wife to Alzheimer’s disease, and won awards in most of the major categories at the ceremony in Toronto, Canada, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Director.

Julie Christie, who won a Golden Globe for her performance in the 2006 drama, was named best actress, while Toronto-born Kristen Thomson picked up the Best Supporting Actress gong for her role in the film.

David Cronenberg’s crime drama Eastern Promises also took home seven gongs at the 28th annual awards ceremony, including Best Original Screenplay and Best Original Score.

The full list of winners is:
Best Motion Picture: Away From Her
Achievement in Direction: Sarah Polley – Away From Her
Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Gordon Pinsent – Away From Her
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Julie Christie – Away From Her
Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: Armin Mueller-Stahl – Eastern Promises
Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: Kristen Thomson – Away From Her
Original Screenplay: Steve Knight – Eastern Promises
Adapted Screenplay: Sarah Polley – Away From Her
Best Documentary: Radiant City
Achievement in Cinematography: Peter Suschitzky – Eastern Promises
Achievement in Music, Original Score: Howard Shore – Eastern Promises
Achievement in Music, Original Song: Valanga Khoza and David Hirschfelder – Kaya, Shake Hands With The Devil
Achievement in Editing: Eastern Promises
Achievement in Art Direction: Fido
Achievement in Costume Design: Silk
Achievement in Overall Sound: Eastern Promises
Achievement in Sound Editing: Eastern Promises
Best Live Action Short Drama: Apres Tour
Best Animated Short: Madame Tutli-Putli.

(PAW/WNWCCC/JC)