Juno Won't Be Dreaming of Genies
Filed under: Awards, Celebrities and Controversy
It's sad, and it's unfortunate, but it all comes down to money, homeskillets.When the Canadian Genie Awards airs this Monday, March 3, it might be with the lovely Sandra Oh leading festivities, but it will be doing so without any sort of Juno love. This might seem strange since, well, Ellen Page and Michael Cera are Canadian, as is director Jason Reitman, the comedy was filmed in Canada (British Columbia, to be exact), it had an extended Canadian cast, and a Canadian crew. Topping that Canuck goodness off with all the nominations and wins the film has received, it would seem certain that Juno would be all over the Genies.
Not quite. As Yahoo/Reuters states: Genie rules say that some of the film's production budget must come from Canada for it to be deemed a Canadian film and be worthy of consideration. (Is there a certain, specific amount of "some," I wonder? Could some dudes just donate a $20 and make these sort of problems go away?) I see the rationale, but it sure makes for skewed selections. Ellen Page and her Diablo-led brethren have been snubbed, but Eastern Promises is in the running because approximately 20% of the film's budget came from Canada.
Reitman says: "how are we not eligible for a Genie when David Cronenberg's film about Russians living in London shot in England with a British crew and British cast is eligible? I'm sorry, but somebody is going to have to explain that to me; I don't get it." Well, I get it, but it's a massively flawed rationale -- as Etan Vlessing says: "Leave it to other awards shows to honor filmmaking excellence, whatever its origins. The Genies celebrate government support." Next time, Jason will have to get his film paid for with loonies and toonies.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-28-2008 @ 3:29PM
KateGee said...
Welcome to Canada. Things are weird here. Canadian content rules. Simulcasting. Don Cherry.
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2-28-2008 @ 3:38PM
Deborah said...
Ellen Page hasn't actually been snubbed. She's nominated for her role in Bruce McDonald's 'The Tracey Fragments'.
I don't actually mind that Juno's been snubbed since it's been massively overexposed in the media. If it had been considered 'Canadian', I have no doubt that it would have swept the Genies, just because it's a Canadian movie that was actually popular in the States. This way, smaller, lesser-known movies get their time to shine.
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2-28-2008 @ 4:54PM
youdidwhat said...
It's pretty straightforward, really: it's not about government funding, it's about budget support from Canadian-owned production companies, Canada-based producers or federal/provincial support. It's to ensure there is no repeat of the epidemic that grew out of the Canadian tax shelter subsidies in the mid-1970s when runaway productions from the States went north to make movies with no intention of employing Canadian crews, Canadian talent, or telling "Canadian stories" (however we might define those).
The definition of a "Canadian film" for the purpose of the Genies is established by CAVCO guidelines (see here http://www.pch.gc.ca/cavco/index_e.cfm). It is no less archaic or restrictive than the U.S. Academy's eligibility requirements (which are filled with percentages and quotas and performance restrictions).
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2-28-2008 @ 9:32PM
scottR said...
That's some great info there. Thanks for actual caring about facts and not just mindlessly agreeing or flaming.
As to the subject, there has to be some rules for what is defined to be a 'Canadian' or 'American' film. Where the money comes from is probably the best. I wouldn't consider a film to be Canadian just because it was filmed in Vancouver (or wherever), or because it had x percent Canadian actors/crew.
This is not news. It's silly that people should get upset at people following well established film guidelines just because they happen to like this particular film a lot. (which I do to).
2-28-2008 @ 7:43PM
Nicholas said...
For once, a not Québec-based movie would have a shot at Best Motion Picture and they don't let it in! What a shame! (just kidding!)
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2-28-2008 @ 11:05PM
StanleyNickels said...
I doubt this is a strictly political decision, but if it is, Cronenberg has defended and argued for government funding for Canadian filmmakers.
Reitman, as far as I know, has not.
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2-29-2008 @ 12:22AM
Riley Freeman said...
im sorry another stupid rule with no grey area. its exactly like the nba playoffs when robert horry cross checked steve nash and the players on the bench got up but DIDNT fight anyone and got suspended.
canada always has to do something different. ah well what u gonna do if it was quebec it would probably be a worse situation
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