THE CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS

On Sunday, March 9, at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, Black Sheep Reviews had the distinct pleasure of attending the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards, hosted by Martin Short. Our very own, Nick Watson, was on hand to snap shots of Canada’s brightest as they walked the red carpet. Below, you will find a sampling of his pictures, as well as a recap of some of the evening’s big wins.

Canadian auteur, David Cronenberg, was being honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and rightfully so. As fantastic as some of the current directorial talent is in this country today, they all owe a debt of gratitude to Cronenberg for pioneering Canadian cinema to where it is today. So great is his talent that A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE stars, Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello, both came in to help celebrate their director and friend.

And here is Mr. Cronenberg posing for cameras after accepting his award. Note how he is staring directly into Nick’s camera here. It is almost like Cronenberg is staring directly into Nick’s soul. It is no wonder this photo is Nick’s favourite of the night.

While Mortensen appeared on stage to say a few words and ultimately hand the Lifetime Achievement Award to Cronenberg, it was Jay Baruchel who led the charge and introduced the montage of Cronenberg’s films. Baruchel appeared in Cronenberg’s COSMOPOLIS and was also nominated this year for his supporting turn in THE ART OF THE STEAL. He ultimately lost to Gordon Pinsent in THE GRAND SEDUCTION. Supporting Actress went to Sarah Gadon, for ENEMY. Gadon was not in attendance.

Television was also feted at the Canadian Screen Awards and here we have two of the evening’s big winners. Jason Priestly, still looking as dashing as ever, took home the trophy for Best Actor in a Comedy, for Call Me Fitz and Tatiana Maslany, who took Best Actress for Orphan Black. In fact, both of their respective shows would go on to take Best Comedy and Drama Series as well.

Speaking of television, after ten years George Stroumboulopoulos’s CBC program, Tonight, will be coming to an end at the end of its current season. The news is not all grim for Strombo though as he was just announced as the next host of Hockey Night in Canada.

Montreal’s Jessica Pare, who has found new levels of fame after becoming a regular on Mad Men, was on hand to present an award and to look generally gorgeous.

Pare may have been outdone by Shay Mitchell of Pretty Little Liars fame. Mitchell, a Toronto native, was also on hand to present an award and to add a splash of glamour to the red carpet.

Getting back to the film end of things, Pierre-Yves Cardinal, who was nominated for his supporting turn in TOM AT THE FARM, was on hand to represent the film, as the film’s writer/director, Xavier Dolan, was not in attendance.

There is no denying the joy being felt by GABRIELLE star, Gabrielle Marion-Rivard, who took home the Best Actress award for her very first film role. Mind you, that beaming smile was pretty much on her face from the moment she arrived so maybe she was just happy to be there and the award was just the cherry. Incidentally, GABRIELLE would go on to take home the evening’s big prize, Best Motion Picture.

Although it did not take home Best Picture, Denis Villeneuve’s ENEMY, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, did manage the most film wins of the night. In addition to Villeneuve’s well deserved win for Best Director, and the aforementioned Supporting Actress win for Gadon, ENEMY also took home awards for cinematography, editing, score.

Attending the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards was an absolute blast. A big thanks has to go out to the fabulous team at Touchwood PR. You all took such great care of us and pulled off one of the most efficient and stress free red carpets I have ever been to, which is all the more impressive considering how massive it was. I would also like to thank Nick Watson for providing his photographic skills and working tirelessly while I just sat in the press lounge tweeting and drinking. I cannot wait to do it again next year!

Here are the remaining film winners from the 2014 Canadian Screen Awards.

Best Production Design, Best Costume Design

LOUIS CYR: THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD

Best Makeup, Best Overall Sound, Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects

THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS: CITY OF BONES

Best Adapted Screenplay

THE F-WORD

Best Original Screenplay

EMPIRE OF DIRT

Best Actor

Gabriel Arcand, THE AUCTION

For more information and for a complete list of all winners, visit the Canadian Screen Awards website.