|
| |
For Angela
|
For Angela (1995)
This year, the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television is very proud to present
the 1995 Canada Award to the short dramatic film For Angela.
The Canada Award, supported by the Multiculturalism Program of the Department
of Canadian Heritage, honours excellence in mainstream television programming
which best reflects the cultural diversity of Canada. It aims to promote greater
opportunities within the broadcasting industry, on both sides of the camera, for professionals from a diversity of backgrounds. The recipient of this prestigious award is chosen by a special jury of industry professionals.
Aside from the Academy's Gemini statuette, the winning producer also earns the
opportunity to take on an apprentice for a four-month placement on a future production.
Written and co-directed by aboriginal filmmaker Daniel Prouty, For Angela was
inspired by the true life experience of Rhonda Gordon (played by North of 60 star, Tina Keeper) and her daughter Angela (Tiffany Peters), who were harassed by three boys on a bus. The boys' actions were undeniably racist.
Rhonda had the courage and the will to take a powerful stand against their ignorance
and prejudice. For Angela is a story about a woman who turns a negative incident
into an opportunity for communication and growth.
This emotionally charged film was produced by Joe MacDonald of the National Film Board of Canada - Winnipeg and Nancy Trites Botkin. "Winning the Canada Award is such an honour for us for so many reasons," says MacDonald. "With For Angela, we really wanted to make a difference, especially with young people. All the past winners of this award share a commitment to this and we feel privileged to be recognized among them."
The Canada Award jury, chaired by Academy board member and actor Anthony Sherwood, received 29 submissions this year. Unanimously selecting For Angela, the jury found the "acting to be both compelling and riveting. The direction was done with great sensitivity and compassion and the production values were first rate. Director Nancy Trites Botkin and writer/director Prouty did an outstanding job in bringing this touching story to life."
|
|
|
|
|
|
