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| Xavier Dolan on the shoot of It's Only the End of the World Shane Laerdière, Sons of Manual |
And we’re back! After catching our breath following that
doozy of a finale to the Oscars, it’s time for Canada’s own award show: the
Canadian Screen Awards. The nickname of “The Candies” doesn’t seem to have
caught on despite the noble effort to make the moniker stick, so we’ll just
keep on running with The Screenies as an abbrev’d name.
Even focusing on all the film nominees and taking them all
on remains a challenge in this large and scattered national cinema. The results
from the nomination committees once again show the pros and cons of selecting
nominees by panel, rather than ballots en masse, since every category boasts a
consistent mix of worthy frontrunners, admirable saves, efforts to encourage
inclusion and diversity, out-of-nowhere contenders, bizarre snubs, and nominees
from the lunatic fringe. (On what planet is Bad
Weeds better than Window Horses?)
Most categories also share the wealth between distributors and regions, so,
more often than not, it seems as if everyone got their one spot.
Once again, the top Canuck Oscar contender leads the field.
Xavier Dolan’s Oscar submission It’s Only
the End of the World leads the pack with nine nominations and looks to be
in pretty good standing following three surprise wins at France’s César
Awards—for Best Actor (Gaspard Ulliel, strangely omitted here) and two for
Dolan with Best Director and Best Editing. It’s
Only the End of the World will probably revive the trend of giving the
Screenie to Canada’s Best Foreign Language Film submission after Room broke the streak last year.
Moreover, it’s one of the only films in the top category to have screened
widely, if at all.
Trying to predict the Screenies proves increasingly speculative
year by year. More often than not, one film just swoops in and
takes everything. But what we can do is say who should win. In the spirit of “Don’t dish it out if you can’t take
it,” here’s how my Screenie ballot would look.
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| Those Who Make Revolution Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves K Films Amérique |
Best Picture
The nominees: Bad Seeds, Before the Streets, HelloDestroyer, It’s Only the End of the World, Maliglutit, Old Stone, OperationAvalanche, Race, Those Who Make Revolution Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves,
Weirdos
Five of these nominees are great films and some of them are
basically filling the category. Let’s focus on the Screenies’ better half.
While Hello Destroyer and
Maliglutit are predictable nominees and have their merits, they’re too
slow and inconsistent to stand as Canada’s best. Before the Streets, on the other hand, is a great example of the Academy unearthing a hidden gem and
spotlighting a film that’s worthy of the attention even if it got lost in its
relatively modest release. This debut feature by Chloé Leriche is powerful and
bold filmmaking. Ditto Johnny Ma’s visceral and haunting Old Stone, which is a dark and gritty thriller set in China that
the director infuses with great philosophical depth.
Xavier Dolan’s It’s
Only the End of the World is a new turn for the Quebecois auteur as he
eschews his signature style for a claustrophobic and intensely emotional
chamber piece driven by an all-you-can-eat buffet of great acting by some of
France’s top stars. Some people hate it, but I think it’s raw art that cuts
deep and hard.
Another of Canada’s top directors, Bruce McDonald, is in top
form with Weirdos. This offbeat road
movie shows the Hard Core Logo
director in his element as he delivers a rugged, darkly funny, and sweetly
endearing ode to oddballs. It’s one of his best films.
The film that most deserves the Canadian Screen Awards’ top
prize, however, is Mathieu Denis and Simon Lavoie’s audacious, unconventional,
and flat-out exhilarating Those Who Make
Revolution Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves. This ambitious film boasts a
scope and formal complexity unlike any of the other nominees and the four young
actors deliver brave and intense performances as the student radicals. Graves captures the pulse of a
generation—the anger and tone of defiance in the film offer a much-needed voice
of hope.
My vote: Those Who Make Revolution Halfway Only Dig
Their Own Graves
Should have been
nominated: Window Horses, Nelly,
Anatomy of Violence
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| Those Who Make Revolution Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves K Films Amérique |
Best Director
The nominees: Chloé
Leriche, Before the Streets; Kevan
Funk, Hello Destroyer; Xavier Dolan, It’s Only the End of the World; Matt
Johnson, Operation Avalanche; Mathieu
Denis and Simon Lavoie, Those Who Make Revolution
Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves
Funk shows a lot of potential with his moody deconstruction
of hockey and masculinity in Hello
Destroyer, while fellow newcomer Leriche looks to be a remarkable new
talent on the scene for her sensitivity and hand at realism. Matt Johnson, on
the other hand, might actually be the downfall of his own work since his screen
presence/persona overwhelms the film—and, admittedly, Operation Avalanche is essentially a movie that he’s made before
and made better.
Dolan’s notable turn in style and restraint makes him a
favourite in this race and the strength of the ensemble cast is the work of a
great director who can control a tightly constrained scene and make it brim
with power. On the other hand, there is simply so much at work to admire in Graves as the duo of Mathieu Denis and
Simon Lavoie find a dexterous weaving of style and substance. Their radical
anti-establishment tone meshes with the unconventional shape-shifting aspect
ratios, onscreen text, lengthy speeches, and formal interplay between drama and
documentary. Graves should reek of
excess and self-indulgence, yet it all comes together with just the right tone
of revolutionary authority. It’s a risk that succeeds.
My vote: Mathieu
Denis and Simon Lavoie
Should have been
nominated: Ann Marie Fleming, Window
Horses; Bruce McDonald, Weirdos;
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| Gang Chen in Old Stone. Films We Like |
Best Actor
The nominees: Jared
Abrahmson, Hello Destroyer; Lawrence
Barry, Riverhead; Gang Chen, Old Stone; Andrew Gillis, Werewolf; Stephan James, Race
I haven’t even heard
of Riverhead, so that’s out. I joked
to myself that it probably only has five votes on IMDb and wouldn’t you know
it… it does!
Addiction drama Werewolf
doesn’t work for me on any level—and I know I’m in the minority on this
film—and that’s partly due to my inability to feel anything beyond disinterest
for the characters and performances. Jared Abrahmson, on the other hand, does a
much better job of playing an out-of-control screw up. His brooding turn as an
overaggressive hockey player in Hello
Destroyer really digs into the character’s head. Ditto Gang Chen as the
titular cab driver in Old Stone. His
turn creates a man of fascinating and complex psychology. The extent to which
one feels his anguish and desperation leads the film down its tragic path.
Up-and-comer Stephan James, finally, will probably win for his impressive
physical performance as runner Jesse Owens in the race-drama Race, but he should be vying for a
trophy with his stronger turn in hidden gem Across
the Line.
My vote: Gang
Chen, Old Stone
Should have been
nominated: Ethan Hawke, Born to Be
Blue; Gaspard Ulliel, It’s Only the
End of the World
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| Carmen Ejogo in Born to Be Blue eOne Films |
Best Actress
The nominees: Nathalie
Doummar, Pays; Carmen Ejogo, Born to Be Blue; Sasha K. Gordon, Natasha; Breagh MacNeil, Werewolf; Tatiana Maslany, The Other Half
As much as I wanted to see Chloé Robichaud’s second feature Pays at TIFF, it just slipped by me.
Unfortunately, I can’t comment on Doummar’s performance.
Unfortunately, I can
comment on Sasha K. Gordon’s performance in Natasha
since the film is available from library streaming services. This film is not
very good with its awkward oh, but why can’t I have sex with my cousin? story
and cheap ho-hum aesthetic. Gordon’s nomination wins the booby prize for the most
random and out of nowhere nomination of the year. One can’t really say much
about her work in Natasha other than
that, well, she’s in the film. Someone at Mongrel really fought for this one to
save face, which wasn’t really necessary since Orphan Black star Tatiana Maslany’s great performance in The Other Half is probably going to make
her a double winner.
I can’t comment on this category at all without noting the
inexcusable absence of Mylène Mackay. Her work in Nelly surpasses any lead performance in any Canadian film this
year. It’s a dark, edgy, and hypnotic turn that juggles multiple characters and
personalities who are all facets of the same deeply complicated woman. Awards
are made for this kind of work. I can understand why people don’t like the
film—it’s provocative and demanding—but failing to acknowledge her performance
just doesn’t sit right with me.
Similarly, Carmen Ejogo acts the hell out of her part in Born to Be Blue. She elevates the film
as Chet Baker’s devoted and long-suffering (and fictional) wife Jane. Ejogo
owns the final moments of the film as Jane recognises her husband’s illness and
refuses to be a victim. She deserves the award in MacKay’s absence. But Born to Be Blue is a vehicle for Ethan
Hawke and he gives one of the best performances of his career, yet isn’t among
the Screenie star-power. To nominate the worthy Ejogo without nominating her
co-star simply defies explanation.
My vote: Carmen
Ejogo, Born to Be Blue
Should have been
nominated: Mylène McKay, Nelly
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| Jacques Newashish in Before the Streets Wide Management |
Best Supporting Actor
The nominees: Vincent
Cassel, It’s Only the End of the World; Henry
Czerny, The Other Half; Evan Mercer, Riverhead; Jacques Newashish, Before
the Streets; Michael
Revatnar, Kidnap Capital
Mercer and Revatnar
get tumbleweeds while Cassel merits consideration for his full-throttle turn as
the brother with anger issues in It’s Only the End of the World, but
Jacques Newashish all but steals Before the Streets with his subtle and
quietly powerful performance as an elder looking out for the next generation.
My vote: Jacques Newashish, Before
the Streets
Should have been nominated: Laurent Bélanger, Those Who Make
Revolution Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves
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| Molly Parker, with some Manhattans for the kids, in Weirdos |
Best Supporting Actress
The nominees: Nathalie Baye, It’s Only the End of the
World; Kwena Bellamare Boivin, Before the Streets; Molly Parker, Weirdos;
Sherri Springfield, Jean of the Joneses; Gabrielle Tremblay, Those
Who Make Revolution Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves
Here’s the one
category that the Screenies more or less got right! I might have swapped
Shepherd or Boivin for Marion Cotillard or Emmanuelle Lussier Martinez
to make It’s Only the End of the World
and Those Who Make Revolution Halfway double
nominees, but Baye and Tremblay are both deserving of a nomination, if not a
win, for their respective films. Tremblay’s potential is notably historic given
that she is the Screenies’ first transgender nominee for playing a
trans-character. She’s a force to be reckoned with and the standout of the
ensemble.
However, there is no force in the field mightier than Molly
Parker. Her turn as the bipolar mother in Weirdos
was not only the best performance from any Canadian film in theatres or on the
festival circuit last year, it was the single best performance of 2016 in any supporting role, period. Her work with McDonald in Weirdos is a refreshing reminder that Canadian film can nurture its
own stars and give them meaty work worthy of their talents. There’s something
extremely satisfying in seeing one of our best actresses at the top of her game
in a return to form for one our best directors.
My vote: Molly
Parker, Weirdos
The rest of the field
Best Adapted Screenplay
Natasha, Daniel Bezmozgis
Montreal la blanche, Bachir Bensaddek
It's Only the End of the World, Xavier Dolan
My vote: It's Only the End of the World
Should have been nominated: Window Horses
My vote: It's Only the End of the World
Should have been nominated: Window Horses
Best Original Screenplay
Hello Destroyer, Kevan Funk
Jean of the Joneses, Stella Meghie
Maliglutit, Zacharias Kunuk
Old Stone, Johnny Ma
Weirdos, Daniel MacIvor
My vote: Weirdos
Should have been nominated: Those Who Make Revolution Halfway...
My vote: Weirdos
Should have been nominated: Those Who Make Revolution Halfway...
Best Documentary Feature
Waseskun
The Prison in Twelve Landscapes
KONELINE: our land beautiful
I am the Blues
Gulistan, Land of Roses
★My vote: KONELINE: our land beautiful
★Should have been nominated: The Apology
Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design
Bad Weeds
Born to Be Blue
Race
Two Lovers and a Bear
Weirdos
★My vote: Born to Be Blue
★Should have been nominated: The Apology
Achievement in Cinematography
Before the Streets
It's Only the End of the World
Nelly
Old Stone
Werewolf
★My vote: Nelly
★Should have been nominated: Those Who Make Revolution Halfway, Weirdos
Achievement in Cinematography in a Documentary
Giants of Africa
Gun Runners
KONELINE: our land beautiful
I am the Blues
The Skyjacker's Tale
★My vote: KONELINE
★Should have been nominated: Aim for the Roses
Achievement in Costume Design
The Girl King
Nelly
Operation Avalanche
Race
Weirdos
★My vote: The Girl King
Achievement in Editing
Bad Weeds
Old Stone
Two Lovers and a Bear
Weirdos
Werewolf
★My vote: Born to Be Blue
★Should have been nominated: Those Who Make Revolution Halfway...
Achievement in Editing in a Documentary
Black Code
Giants of Africa
Gulistan, Land of Roses
KONELINE: our land beautiful
Wasekun
★My vote: KONELINE
★Should have been nominated: Aim for the Roses
Achievement in Make-Up
Born to Be Blue
It's Only the End of the World
The Northlander
Race
Two Lovers and a Bear
★My vote: Two Lovers and a Bear
★Should have been nominated: Numb
Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design
Bad Weeds
Born to Be Blue
Race
Two Lovers and a Bear
Weirdos
★My vote: Born to Be Blue
★Should have been nominated: The Apology
Achievement in Music - Original Score
Born to Be Blue
Hevn (Revenge)
Numb
Two Lovers and a Bear
Window Horses
★My vote: Window Horses
Achievement in Music - Original Song
Before the Streets - "Sokecimoywekw"
Born to Be Blue - "Could Have Been"
A Date with Miss Fortune - "Almost Had It All"
King Dave - "Natalie"
Lovesick - "Draw Blood"
★My vote: "Sokecimoywekw"
Achievement in Visual Effects
Operation Avalance
Race
The Unseen
★My vote: Race?
Achievement in Overall Sound
Bad Seeds
It's Only the End of the World
King Dave
Operation Avalanche
Race
★My vote: It's Only the End of the World
Achievement in Sound Editing
It's Only the End of the World
King Dave
Operation Avalanche
Race
The Unseen
★My vote: It's Only the End of the World
Best Short Documentary
Frame 394 (watch)
The Road to Webequie
Stone Makers
this river (watch)
Tshiuetin (watch)
★My vote: Frame 394
Best Animated Short
Blind Vaysha
I am Here
I Like Girls
Mamie
Red of the Yew Tree
★My vote: Blind Vaysha
Best Live Action Short Drama
A Funeral for Lightning
Mutants
Oh What a Wonderful Feeling
Star
Wild Skin
★My vote: Oh What a Wonderful Feeling