Norman Jewison: Renowned Canadian film director dies at 97
Renowned Canadian filmmaker and producer Norman Jewison has passed away at the age of 97, as confirmed by his publicist.
The three-time Oscar nominee for best director peacefully departed at his residence on Saturday, according to Jeff Sanderson, who provided no additional details.
Jewison, acclaimed for directing timeless classics such as Moonstruck, In The Heat Of The Night, and Fiddler on the Roof, was a versatile storyteller known for addressing societal issues like racism and civil rights in his films.
His cinematic contributions garnered 46 Academy Award nominations, resulting in 12 Oscar wins. In 1999, Jewison received a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in the United States.
Four years later, he was similarly honored in Canada for his significant impact on the country’s film industry, including the establishment of the Canadian Film Centre.
Reflecting on his approach to filmmaking, Jewison wrote in his 2004 autobiography, “I have tended to depict humanity as fallible, sensitive, befuddled, misled but redeemable, rather than mindless and relentlessly violent.”
“I want people to recognize themselves in the movies I make. I don’t enjoy no-brainer action movies.”
During his illustrious career, the Toronto-born film director worked with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier.
