The hit movie Juno didn’t qualify for Genie consideration because no one submitted the film, a Genie official said yesterday, a week after Montreal-born director Jason Reitman complained bitterly about the apparent snub.

From: Edmonton Sun: Juno Genie snub explained

“a film with no Canadian actors, not filmed in Canada without a Canadian crew… but hey, some Canadian somewhere paid for 20% of the bill”

That being said, in my mind, one David Cronenberg + one Howard Shore has a roughly equal amount of Canadian power as Ellen Page + Michael Cera + Jason Reitman and a Vancouver filming location.

When I hear Cronenberg or Shore’s names, I think, ‘Canadian!’ whereas with Jason Reitman, it’s more like, ‘Oh, he’s Canadian?’

So to sum up, the only thing Eastern Promises has “Canadian” that Juno doesn’t is a composer.

Juno has Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Crew, Shot In Canada.

They both had Canadian directors.

Now tell me again how Eastern Promises is more substantively Canadian than Juno???

If one wants to say “Juno shouldn’t be considered Canadian”, that’s a conversation I’m willing to have… but…

to say it doesn’t qualify and Eastern Promises does is where thing get into pure nonsense territory.

Good point. The politics of it all ruin everything.

I don’t put too much stock into awards anyway. Honestly, even movie fans are hard pressed to name, off the top of their heads, the last ten Best Picture winners from the Oscars. In the end, it’s more about the dog and pony show ceremonies themselves. Style over substance.

And I think your math equation should look more like this:

- Canadian lead actOR
- 1/6 of the supporting cast members is Canadian
- Canadian-born Director
- Shot in Canada
- Shot with Canadian crew
- American writer and producers
_____________________
= NOT CANADIAN

however another movie:

- Not with Canadian actors
- Not shot in Canada
- Not done with Canadian crew
- Big name Canadian director
- Big name Canadian film score composer
- had 20% of the expenses paid by a Canadian
_________________
= TRUE CANADIAN CONTENT!

And yes I realize I’m getting way too anal about this and need to drop it, heh. :)

Just since there is a great amount of government support out there for artists who want to take part in film, music, and television that beats the pants off of what the U.S. and other countries have available to them, unfortunately.

The big problem with award shows in general is that they claim to represent a certain amount of respect the industry deserves, but only if you have the money to back it up. Too often it is also true that they get too caught up in their extensive rules to really acknowledge good work by dedicated people.

Actually, i never “threatned” not to cover the Genies, I just said I would make sure not to.

Hey Jarred,

Here’s the thing. I am a big believer in Canadian talent, as a matter of fact I think it’s the best in the world. Having said that, the industry and system in Canada is, as you say, a big joke. Even I, as a “proud Canadian” want nothing to do with it. And moronic, pathetic and outright stupid moves like this on their part do nothing to give confidence to people like me who desperately WANT to cover his own country’s awards, but can’t because he’s constantly humiliated by them.

The Canadian entertainment industry continues to prove to the world that they deserve no respect or attention, and thus the great Canadian talent will continue to leave as soon as they get the chance, and Canadian psudo-media like myself, will continue to ignore them.

Yeah, I don’t think John has even covered the Genies at ALL in the past, so it’s a major hoot for John to threaten to stop doing something that he hasn’t done up to this point anyway.