"Away from Her" Dominates Canada's Genie Awards

by Jarrett Martineau | March 3, 2008 at 10:09 pm

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Who could have imagined that in a seemingly few years, Canadian indie film ingenue Sarah Polley would move from a child acting role on 'Road to Avonlea' to an Academy Award-nominated, and multiple Genie Award-winning first feature film, as both director and writer?

The film "Away from Her" was the big winner on Monday night at Canada's Genie Awards, winning seven statuettes, including best picture, best actor, best actress and best director for first-time filmmaker Sarah Polley.

Polley, 29, a longtime darling in the Canadian acting scene, also took home a Genie statuette for best adapted screenplay and won the Claude Jutra Award, recognizing outstanding achievement by a first-time feature film director.

"The ridiculousness of me winning this award is not lost on me ... this is totally absurd but thanks," said a humbled Polley after accepting the award for best director.

Gordon Pinsent took home the best actor award for his role as a man trying to cope with the institutionalization of his wife due to Alzheimer's disease in "Away From Me."

Pinsent's on-screen partner, Julie Christie, won for best actress, and Kristen Thomson won for best supporting actress.

Director David Cronenberg's dark Russian mob film, "Eastern Promises," also took home seven awards, including best supporting actor for Armin Mueller-Stahl and best original screenplay for Steve Knight.