Norman Jewison to be awarded for career achievement
It looks like the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival (SLOIFF) is going to wow central coast movie fans again this year. Just days after announcing that James Cromwell would appear here to accept the King Vidor Award for career achievement in acting, the festival today also announced that acclaimed film director Norman Jewison has confirmed his attendance to accept the annual King Vidor Award for career achievement in directing during its 2007 festival, to be held March 1-11.
With a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the 2003 American Society of Cinematographers’ Board of Governors Award, and nominations for five Oscars, three Directors Guild awards, three Golden Globes and an Emmy, all for best director, Jewison brings an astonishing record of achievement to the 2007 SLOIFF. Among the many films he has directed are “Moonstruck”, “Agnes of God”, “A Soldier’s Story”, “…And Justice for All”, “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, the original “The Thomas Crown Affair”, “In the Heat of the Night” and “The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming”.
Born and raised in Toronto, Jewison received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto’s Victoria College. At age eighteen he hitchhiked across the southern United States and was deeply affected by the racial conditions he saw, an experience that later led to his trilogy of racial-injustice movies, including “In the Heat of the Night” and “A Soldier’s Story.” After moving to London to act and write for the BBC, Jewison moved back to Toronto and directed television shows for the CBC for six years. He moved to New York to work in musicals and variety shows, then later gravitated into what eventually became his remarkable career in film.
Several of Jewison’s films were also nominated for best picture Oscars, and he had the distinction of working with a wide variety of Hollywood’s most notable stars. He has directed twelve different actors in Oscar-nominated performances, including Alan Arkin, Rod Steiger, Topol, Al Pacino, Anne Bancroft, Meg Tilly, Cher, Olympia Dukakis and Denzel Washington. Of those, Cher, Dukakis and Steiger won Oscars for their performances in Jewison’s films.
- more -
He also served as producer of many of the films he directed, wrote the screenplay for “Jesus Christ Superstar,” and even took a turn in front of the camera a few times as a supporting actor. His work was widely recognized by critics and fans alike, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1999 recognized him for his long and distinguished service by presenting him with its prestigious Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award at the 71st annual Oscar awards ceremony.
Steve Leone, president of the SLOIFF Board of Directors, said “Several months ago, when we made the decision to expand the festival to 11 days, we knew it would be a major challenge to find two recipients for our King Vidor Award. But, after last year’s very successful festival, our Board gave it the greenlight and never looked back.” Leone, also a long-time film fan, went on to say that “In the Heat of the Night” is one of his all-time favorite films, characterizing the slap scene between Sidney Poitier and the plantation owner and observed by the gum chewing Steiger as “a truly great moment in film.” SLOIFF Festival Director Wendy Eidson commented that “Jewison’s appearance will add to the growing reputation of SLOIFF and continue our progress toward becoming a leading festival in the eyes of the filmmaking community and fans alike.” Eidson, herself a native of Toronto who grew up idolizing Jewison’s work in film added, “To me, it’s like a dream come true to have the opportunity to meet such an influence in my life and to participate in rewarding him for his outstanding career.”
The appearance of Jewison and Cromwell to accept the 2007 King Vidor awards follows last year’s acceptance by Morgan Freeman, who delighted the sold-out Fremont Theatre crowd with a moving tribute ceremony and acceptance speech. SLOIFF organizers expect another enthusiastic response by central coast residents, and are already gearing up for the big evenings. Jewison is scheduled to accept his award on Saturday, March 3, and Cromwell will receive his on Saturday, March 10.
And it looks like there might be even more to come. Asked if any other “big” names would be attending, with a sly grin Eidson said “At this point I can only say stay tuned- we’re not done yet!”
The 2007 edition of the San Luis Obispo International Film Festival will kick off on Thursday, March 1 and conclude on Sunday, March 11. Further information and updates can be obtained at the festival’s website www.slofilmfest.org, by visiting the SLOIFF office next to the Palm Theatre, or by calling (805)546-3456.
