issue 31// vol 46 CBC sweep S the Candys » This year’s Canadian Screen Awards aired online Jerrison Oracion Senior Columnist Wwe the pandemic was declared in the middle of March, this year’s Juno Awards were cancelled just a few days before they were going to be hosted. This and many other shutdowns led to the cancellation of the 2020 Canadian Screen Awards; instead, they decided that the winners would be announced virtually on YouTube. I thought that they were going to announce the winners on Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television website. Instead, they actually announced the winners in a series of live streams—all of which aired recently. They were all pre- taped, making them look automated; they could have done them live instead. Each section is narrated by a famous Canadian personality including local Vancouver actor and Will & Grace actor Eric McCormack narrating the TV section, Théodore Pellerin narrating the film section, and Lloyd Robertson narrating the news section. In news, The National swept the awards—taking a total of four different awards. This includes Best News Anchor for four people (Adrienne Arsenault, Andrew Chang, Ian Hanomansing, and Rosemary Barton), Best National Reporter for Paul Hunter, Best Photography for Jared Thomas, and Best News or Information Segment. CTV News got an award for Best National Newscast and in local news, Global BC News Hour at 6 got Best Local Reporter for Rumina Daya. Surprisingly, Evan Solomon got Best Host ona Talk Show or Entertainment News for Question Period even though it is strictly a news program. In TV, Cardinal swept the drama categories and got the most awards. They left with seven awards under their belt, including Best Drama Series and awards for its lead stars Billy Campbell and Karine Vanasse. This upset a lot of fans of Anne with an E who were in the live chat of the live stream. Many wanted the show to still be on, since it did get cancelled this season—it could have been on longer though. But it did get five awards, and hopefully this might inspire CBC to continue airing the show. In comedy, Schitt’s Creek got the most awards with six awards. This includes Best Comedy, Best Lead Actress in a Comedy for Catherine O’Hara for the fifth year in a row, and surprisingly Best Lead Actor in a Comedy for Eugene Levy. Kim’s Convenience got two awards including Best Supporting Actor in a comedy for Andrew nee S Phung for the third year in a row and Best Guest Performance for Amanda Brugel for her portrayal as Pastor Nina. In variety, the Baroness Von Sketch Show swept the awards again with five awards including Best Sketch Comedy Show and I'd really like to watch it—though I still have not yet. It ison my list! In film, Antigone—a film which follows a girl trying to rescue her wrongly accused brother in a prison break—got Best Motion Picture and tied for the most awards in the category with five awards. Antigone notably got the Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role award for Nahéma Ricci and the Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role for Nour he Rw AA CO cH c p o eS = o S CH "“ 2 a wu mo] 2) Belkhiria. Antigone tied with The Song of Names—a movie which mainly got awards in the artistic categories. Local BC film The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open got three awards! This includes Best Original Screenplay for Kathleen Hepburn’s and Elle-Maija Tailfeathers’ screenplay. The Canadian Screen Awards this year had some surprises even though it was simplified due to COVID-19. But at least they showed all the categories and recognized many acclaimed artists of Canadian TV and film. Hopefully when the actual ceremony comes back next year, someone will host the award show... possibly Andrew Phung. ‘Once Were Brothers’ is a captivating documentary about Canadian musician Robbie Robertson » The film provides an intricate study of this world-renown Indigenous artist Jonathan Pabico Contributor wkweK KY f there’s a biographical feature that makes you proud to be from Canada, it would be Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band. The documentary follows the life of Canadian singer-songwriter Robbie Robertson during his ups and downs as a member of famous musical group, The Band. The film, directed by Daniel Roher, ae hf ie ¢ sities fi ais Sew sf 3 % Pan: a Photo of Robbie Robertson and the Band by Elliott Landy/Magnolia provides remarkable storytelling about this rock star. The archive footage, photographs, and testimonies from other music icons give rich insight into Robertson's growth into an inspiring role model for his generation. These mementos are edited together as striking camera shots to also highlight The Band’s brotherhood and passion to push the boundaries of what they could achieve as artists. Roher smoothly traces the group’s humble beginnings. They go from , hit Pictures performing in small bars to entertaining enormous concerts. The old film reels of bustling cities with eccentric neon signs lend an unwavering energy to the movie. They relay how excited Robertson and his bandmates are about making their mark on the world’s new wave of vibrant music scenes. Perhaps the film’s best anecdote is The Band’s frequent collaborations with legendary folk singer Bob Dylan. Stock clips of them being booed by crowds who hated their bold rock music instill humour in the film. These instances are fond memories for Robertson. This set piece raises an important message about appreciating the efforts of artists from previous decades. Considering what they had to endure for their careers, it is essential to recognize them. The movie pivots with a distorted soundtrack and more hazy photos to symbolize Robertson’s troubled friendship with his drummer Levon Helm—but also the group’s struggles with drug addiction and alcoholism. Roher navigates these sensitive topics with respect and care that immensely humanize them. He creates the right balance for the movie's pathos without turning the story into a spectacle. However, the final scenes of the documentary’s timeline are rushed and could have been developed further before the ending arrives. Roher could have unpacked the origins behind a few additional songs from The Band’s repertoire to expand on their musical background. Also, Once Were Brothers doesn't provide much depth into Robertson’s Indigenous roots or any influence they had on his song writing. Roher at least explores how the performer’s love for his craft reflects music’s purpose of bringing comfort to our lives—and what it means to be a Canadian musician striving for cultural identity. Overall, this documentary offers a memorable journey of one of Canada’s most prominent rock stars. The visual storytelling through antiquated imagery make the film a worthwhile treat for fans, but also an accessible resource about The Band’s complicated history. If you're eager to learn more about Robbie Robertson and Canadian music, then this movie is a perfect start to that endeavour.