Canadians celebrate Oscar nominations

When Montreal producer Pierre Even read the script for “Brooklyn,” he knew he had a potential gem in his hands.

But even he didn’t dare to dream of an Oscar nomination.

“Getting nominated for best picture is something you dream when you’re alone at night but you don’t dare say it, because you don’t want to jinx yourself,” Even said in a phone interview. “But now it’s true, just happened and we are very thrilled and very happy about it.”

Listen

Even and Marie-Claude Poulin, who are both credited as co-producers on the film, have plenty of reasons to be thrilled. “Brooklyn” received three Oscar nominations: for best picture, best actress (Saoirse Ronan) and best adapted screenplay (Nick Hornby).

“Brooklyn” is a Canada-U.K.-Ireland co-production largely shot in Montreal (standing in for Brooklyn), and Enniscorthy, Ireland.

Even said the moment he read the script he knew he had to convince producer Finola Dwyer, who had also produced “An Education,” to make the film in Montreal.

“Brooklyn” tells the story of a young Irish woman who is torn between two countries and two men when she moves from a small town in Ireland to Brooklyn in the 1950s.

Even said the Oscar nominations for “Brooklyn” and “Room,” a Canada-Ireland co-production shot mostly in Toronto and based on Canadian author Emma Donoghue’s novel, highlight the quality and craftsmanship of Canadian film crews.

“It shows that we really have what (it takes) to fight to have a place among the best,” Even said.

Other Canadians named during the ceremony in Beverly Hills, Calif. included Rachel McAdams, who was nominated for best supporting actress in “Spotlight.”

The Weeknd was nominated for best original song for “Earned It”’ from the film “Fifty Shades of Grey,” along with fellow Canadians Ahmad Balshe, Jason (Daheala) Quenneville and Stephan Moccio.

Several other Canadians were nominated for their work on “The Revenant,” which was shot partially in Alberta and British Columbia.

Edmonton-born Robert Pandini received an Oscar nomination in the makeup and hairstyling category for his work in the dark drama, which picked up a leading 12 nominations.

Also honoured for their work on “The Revenant” were set decorator Hamish Purdy of Vancouver, who received a production design nomination, Chris Duesterdiek for sound mixing and Cameron Waldbauer for visual effects.

Veteran Canadian animator Richard Williams earned an Oscar nomination for best animated short film for “Prologue,” an honour he shares with Imogen Sutton.

Two Canadians have nominations for their documentary short films.

Pakistani-born Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, who became a Canadian citizen after moving to Toronto in 2004, is in the running for “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness.” She previously won the documentary short Oscar for “Saving Face” in 2012.

Director Adam Benzine, who is based in Toronto, received his first nomination for “Claude Lanzmann: Spectres of the Shoah.”

In the best sound mixing category, Canadian Paul Massey is nominated for his work on “The Martian,” along with co-nominees Mark Taylor and Mac Ruth.

And the cheaper loonie could be a boon for film production in Canada, as more Hollywood producers look north to save money on multimillion productions, Evan said.

“I think this year, 2016 will be extremely busy,” Evan said. “Already we’re seeing that crews get many, many calls; I think next summer will be incredibly busy.”

With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press