2024-01-23 04:13:59

After starting out on Canadian television, Norman Jewison established himself during his career as one of Hollywood’s most eclectic filmmakers. His numerous films have notably earned him three nominations for the Academy Award for Best Director.

Social filmmaker

Political satire for “The Russians are Coming” (1966), heist film with Steve McQueen in “The Thomas Crown Affair” (1968), musical comedy with “Fiddler on the Roof” (1971), his work ventures into very diverse genres. But in the United States, his legacy remains above all that of a filmmaker interested in social issues, thanks in particular to the mark left by “In the Heat of the Night”, which won five Oscars in 1967, including best film. .

Read also: Sidney Poitier, in the heat of eternal night

Under the guise of a simple detective film, the filmmaker addresses American racial tensions, the founding divide of the United States. The legend Sidney Poitier, Hollywood’s first black star, plays a Philadelphia police officer, who finds himself accused of murder in Mississippi and must lead the investigation with the local white sheriff while dealing with the racism of the residents.

“Films that deal with civil rights and social justice are those that are dearest to me,” declared Norman Jewison, recalled Monday New York Times.

A visionary”

The Canadian Film Center, a training institution created by Norman Jewison in 1988, said Monday it was mourning a “visionary” and a “national icon,” known “for his commitment to social justice.”

The Canadian Minister of Heritage, Pascale St-Onge, praised a filmmaker with “unique” films. “Whether it is with ‘In the Heat of the Night’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ or even ‘Moonlight’, his films will have touched his fans here and elsewhere in the world.”

Sylvester Stallone in “FIST” (1978), Al Pacino in “Justice for All” (1979), Denzel Washington in “Hurricane Carter” (1999): during his long career, Norman Jewison has directed the biggest names in Hollywood.

His films have garnered a total of 46 Oscar nominations and have been awarded twelve times. It notably allowed pop singer Cher to win the Oscar for best actress, for her romance with Nicolas Cage in “Eclair de Lune” (1987).

“Thank you for one of the greatest, happiest, most fun experiences of my life,” the singer reacted Monday on the social network X (formerly Twitter). “Without you, I wouldn’t have my handsome golden man.”

Farewell Sweet Prince????.
Thank U For One Of The
Greatest,Happiest,Most
Fun Experiences Of My Life.
Without U,I Would Not Have My Beautiful Golden Man.Norman U Made Moonstruck The GREAT FILM Ppl????.
Script,Actors,Etc,NEEDED U DEAR❤️
NORMAN JEWISON
LIVES ON THROUGH HIS WORK

– Seek) January 22, 2024

Bullied at school

Born in Toronto in 1926, Norman Jewison was raised by Protestant parents who ran a business below their apartment. But because of his name, the young man is harassed at school by his classmates who believe he is Jewish, according to the New York Times.

He expressed an early interest in cinema and theater, and, following earning his first money as a taxi driver, found work at Canadian television CBC in the 1950s. He spent seven years there before venturing into the world of American television, then cinema. His first film as a director in Hollywood, “Trouble in a Shovel,” dates back to 1962.

Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest distinction of his country of origin, the filmmaker leaves behind three children and five grandchildren.

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