Three Canadians nominated for Oscar

[Parsnips]

Canadian Oscar nominees honoured in L.A.

Jim Holt
Canadian Press

Friday, February 25, 2005

LOS ANGELES (CP) - The rain stopped and the clouds parted for a time to let the sun shine down on this year's Canadian Oscar nominees.

Gold and silver coloured balloons wafted poolside Friday at the residence of Canada's Consul General Alain Dudoit as luncheon guests discussed Canada's continued presence at the Academy Awards. "This is an important day - this is the second consecutive dry day in Los Angeles," Dudoit said, referring to the particularly wet season in Southern California this year. "This is an achievement, by the way."

Three Canadians are nominated this year: Chris Landreth for his animated short film Ryan; Hubert Davis for his short documentary Hardwood and Paul Haggis for best screenplay for Million Dollar Baby.

"It has been so busy that it's been difficult to even reflect on the nomination," said National Film Board of Canada director Landreth whose film, Ryan, is nominated in the category of short animated film.

Ryan is the tragic story of another remarkable Canadian animator Ryan Larkin. The irony of Landreth's nomination for award consideration at the world's most famous film gala this Sunday does not escape him.

"There is certainly a poignant irony - no doubt about that," he said. "Ryan is about a lot of things - tragedy, redemption, humour and absurdity.

"I did not film Ryan in order to get an award. I did it because it's an amazing story."

Both Hardwood and Ryan were co-produced with the NFB and with Canada Council funding.

More than 100 people attended the luncheon, which has become an annual event on the eve of the Academy Awards.

Haggis told well-wishers that he hopes Million Dollar Baby - a heavy favourite in this year's awards - will be enjoyed for years to come.

"It's a wonderful time for all of us," he said. "I'm grateful getting to be a part of something that hopefully will stand the test of time."

When reminded that Canadian writers and animators have traditionally done very well at the Oscars, Haggis said only: "We'll see."

When asked if his photograph could be taken next to a pen-sized mock version of the Oscar award, he blurted: "No way."

Canadian animators have typically enjoyed Oscar nominations almost every year. Last year, Chris Hinton was nominated for his short film Nibbles. In 2002, Cordell Barker was nominated for his animated short, Strange Invaders. The Canadian animation world is very unlike the scene in L.A. and its big houses like Warner Brothers and Disney, Landreth said.

"In Canada, it's a lot more personal and idiosyncratic."

Davis made his documentary about his father Mel Davis, the former Harlem Globetrotter.

The Davis family was on hand for the luncheon.

"My family showed a lot of courage and took many risks in making this film," he said. "I want to thank my mom and dad."