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CHRISTINA JENNINGS
Alumna and Chair of CFC Board of Directors, 2006-Present
“It was 1990. I was a producer resident at the CFC and had a wonderful script written by Paul Quarrington, which the actress Jessica Tandy had read and liked. I needed a director. I went to meet Norman at his office on Gloucester Street. He had read the script and had such insightful things to say. But, he told me that he had his own stories that he wanted to tell and that he needed to stay on top of those. I was so inspired in that first meeting by his candour, commitment and focus. These are just some of the qualities that make Norman a leader and a legend.”
SLAWKO KLYMKIW
CFC’s Chief Executive Officer, 2005 – 2021
“Norman Jewison’s spirit informs all we do, all we stand for and all we achieve at the CFC. His talent, his grace, his humour and the joy he brings to the creative process inspires all of us. Every organization that is successful needs to be measured against lofty and inspirational goals. Norman has done that for us. And for that reason, all of us at the CFC – past, present and future – continue to aspire to make this organization great in its ability to incite and prepare Canadian talent for successful and creative careers in show business.”
EUGENE LEVY
CFC Board of Directors | 2012 – Present
“My Dinner With Norman would have been a fun book to write had Andre not killed it for me.
Friends, laughs, wine – not necessarily in that order – are Norman’s recipe for a fun night. And for me, and my wife, Deb, just being able to call him Norman is something we don’t take lightly. He is a friend who has already ascended to the very top rung of the big time Hollywood showbiz ladder, and yet could not be more Canadian in spite of his success. And that is Norman’s irresistible charm – having such a modest take on such an accomplished life. And I respect that as much as his body of work.
To me, Norman is truly an inspiration.”
PETER O’BRIAN
CFC Executive Director, 1988 – 1991
“Norman put his full cinema capital on the line in the mid-‘80s, when he decided to implement his dream to establish a centre of excellence for Canadian filmmakers. He was a star, a legend, an icon, but he knew he would still have to enlist business leaders, philanthropists, the Canadian arts establishment, as well as all levels of government, to realize his vision.
At literally hundreds of meetings, Norman would make his inspiring pitch: ‘It’s about the stories. Our stories. Canadian stories. Our young talented filmmakers need a place where they can get together and develop their stories and their craft and their confidence, a place where the greatest filmmakers in the world can come and share their knowledge.’ Then he would wrap it in an extraordinary and startling big idea: ‘Because cinema is becoming the literature of our generation.’
Gradually, everyone came to Norman’s side – Mel Lastman provided the use of the Windfields Estate as the place, and the Centre lurched into operation in 1988.
I remember one close call when Norman, David Galloway and I travelled to Ottawa to solicit the critical financial support of Flora MacDonald, Minister of Communications from 1986 to 1988. When Norman was in full flight and talked about cinema as the literature of our generation, Flora looked up sharply and interrupted him in the scolding tone of a school teacher: ‘Oh dear, Norman, I do hope there will still be books.’ The meeting ground to a halt for a few seconds, but Norman was unfazed and went on to win her over and save the day for the Centre yet again.
Ten years later, we gathered at Windfields to celebrate the Centre’s 10th anniversary. It was a dark night and we were all huddled under a tent in a Hollywood rain from one of Norman’s movies. There was a candle at each table for light. Norman rose to speak and we fell to silence. Finally, Norman spoke: ‘It’s about the stories. Our stories. Canadian stories.’ It was magic – a beautiful moment that no one who was there will ever forget.
Thank you, Norman, for inspiring us and giving us the Canadian Film Centre. We love you.”
DAVID GALLOWAY
Chair, CFC Board of Directors, 1988 – 1993
“In the early days, when I was Chair of the CFC, we arranged to meet Norman at a studio on Leslie St. at 12 p.m.. He was shooting the film Moonstruck, starring Cher. We met for two hours and I was starving. As the meeting ended, I said, ‘Norman, generally when you meet from 12 to 2, you serve sandwiches.’ He said, ‘I’m sorry, but please stay for lunch. It is being catered by Fenton’s and will be here at 3:30 p.m. Cher will join us.’ Apparently their day started around 11 a.m. and lunch was 3:30 p.m. In any case, I had to get back to the office and by the time I arrived there was a food basket from Fenton’s with a note from Norman saying ‘David, you forgot your lunch!’
It was a privilege for me to work with Norman at the outset of the [Canadian] Film Centre. He has made an enormous contribution to the Canadian film industry through the Centre, and Canada is lucky to have him. I am proud to call him my friend.”
WAYNE CLARKSON
CFC Executive Director, 1991 – 2005
“Norman Jewison is recognized as one of the world’s great filmmakers and of that there is no debate. His films, and the awards they have won, are a timeless testament.
I have known Norman for more than 30 years, 13 of which I served as Executive Director of the Canadian Film Centre. Over all those years, I, like so many of his friends and colleagues, have enjoyed and appreciated a lighter, but no less entertaining side of the man – his ability to tell a good story, to regale audiences large and small (often at the Film Centre) with tales of Hollywood celebrities. (If you get the chance, ask him to tell you the story behind him being chosen to direct Fiddler on the Roof.) Less well known and celebrated are his gifts and talents as a teacher to inspire, engage, challenge, motivate and entertain the next generation of Canadian filmmakers. This commitment is embodied by the success of the CFC itself and the achievements of the thousands of graduates working in all corners of the industry across Canada.”
NANCY LOCKHART
Chair, CFC Board of Directors, 1994 – 2003
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Norman for over 25 years and am proud to call him my friend. He is intelligent, funny, principled and kind. I love the ways his eyes crinkle when he laughs and that he laughs so hard he cries.
Norman cares – about his family, his friends, his community and the world at large – and he has the courage to speak up when he sees a wrong. His generosity, both in the community and specifically toward the CFC, is boundless.
I have watched Norman inspire the next generation of storytellers, who hang on his every word when in his presence. His response to many of the first-year films has often been: ‘Too dark, too dark.’ Norman sees the world in colour and with joy, and he brings a little of that to every person he touches.”
ROBERT MUNROE
CFC Board of Directors, 1996 – Present
“I remember so clearly being a university student and sitting in a movie theatre at the end of A Soldier’s Story, awed at what I had just seen. For the first time as a filmgoer, I clearly understood the role of the director.
The vision that Norman had … his deft hand with the actors, the texture he created with the story, the camera, the editing, the score … it was all put together by a filmmaker, a person with creative passion and singular purpose. I finally realized that artists made movies! Of course!! It was a life-changing moment for me.”
DAMON D’OLIVEIRA
Producer, Conquering Lion Pictures; CFC alumnus (1991)
“Norman has been a kind of entire career mentor for Clement [Virgo] and me. He always believed in us; he would watch cuts of our films and give us incredible, really thoughtful feedback. He even found office space for our Conquering Lion Pictures and became our landlord for 20 years. He was always just a floor away. I don’t know if there’s a more impactful Canadian filmmaker who’s worked in both Hollywood and Canada – and who’s always bringing home what he learned in the U.S., which is incredible.”
SEMI CHELLAS
Writer/director/producer; CFC alumna (1994)
“Very early on, when I was trying to figure out what kind of screenwriter I would be, Norman steered me towards understanding the simplicity of a good story. Every time Norman speaks, he tells stories, and he talks about telling stories. It’s that simple and fundamental – he’s a champion of great stories.”
CLEMENT VIRGO
Director, Conquering Lion Pictures; CFC alumnus (1991)
“He’s always been a progressive. I would argue that Norman has made some of the best Black films ever. I mean, In the Heat of the Night is a seminal Black film, and so are A Soldier’s Story and The Hurricane. His films always have a core of social consciousness, and they’re full of ideas. He makes you think, and tries to advance the culture a bit.”
DON MCKELLAR
Writer/director/actor; CFC alumnus (1991/1992)
“He [Norman Jewison] was one of the premier stylists – he did some very innovative work in The Thomas Crown Affair – and he had a social consciousness. He blended those things in a way that was unique, because those movies were hip and stylish but at the same time increasingly pointed in terms of their social commentary and civil rights agenda.”
THE REV. DR. ROB OLIPHANT
MP, 2021
“Norman Jewison is a master storyteller, an insightful commentator on the social condition and a fine theologian. As a film buff, I have appreciated every film he has made for their captivating technical brilliance. As a politician, I have been challenged by Jewison to make our world better. And as a theologian, I have been inspired by Norman to listen to the divine voice and always see the possibility of redemption.
Norman found his stride with The Cincinnati Kid, reminding us that the hero doesn’t always win. He took on the Cold War with humour and satire in The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming. He brought the civil and human rights movements of his friends Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy to a wider audience with his trilogy, In the Heat of the Night, A Soldier’s Story and The Hurricane. Fifty years ago, he brought the story of Tevye, wrestling with God on the important of tradition in a changing and precarious world with Fiddler on the Roof. He took on the American justice system in …And Justice for All, the Church with Agnes of God and greed in Other People’s Money. And he made us laugh and cry and long for long with Moonstruck.
Norman Jewison is never afraid to take on authority but does so in an entirely Canadian way: with the understanding and respect. He has almost uniquely attained critical, popular and financial success. And we, in Canada, continue to be blessed with his imagination, generosity and willingness to share himself with us through the Canadian Film Centre and in so many other ways.”
KATHLEEN WYNNE, MPP, 2021
Former Premier of Ontario
“I have been a fan and supporter of the Canadian Film Centre throughout my political career as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Don Valley West. I have always been proud to represent a riding that included such an important Canadian centre of artistic innovation. In a pre-COVID world, I looked forward to the annual Garden Party to catch up on the work of the Centre, including during the years I served as Premier of Ontario. I particularly loved the opportunity to meet Norman Jewison in person at one of those gatherings. He was exactly as warm and sharp as I would have expected.
Jewison’s films were a joyful, heartfelt part of the backdrop of my growing-up. He began making films when I was nine years old. In the Heat of the Night and Fiddler on the Roof were date nights when I was a teenager. His genius has provoked debate, tears and laughter throughout my life and we are fortunate that his inspiration is at the heart of the CFC’s mission.
But there is a personal angle to my admiration of Norman Jewison. In our house we first heard of him as ‘Normie’ Jewison. Our mom, Pat Wynne (O’Day) started her stage career around the same time as Jewison. Mom was what was called a ‘triple threat’ – she sang, danced and acted. She was part of a troupe called the New Play Society and crossed paths with Jewison during productions of ‘Spring Thaw’ – a musical revue from the early 1950s created by Mavor Moore. Mom, now 92, recalls that Jewison wrote for her and as she tells it, they sang together. Whatever the details of their connection, when I met him at the CFC gala, I made sure to tell him that he was a legend in our family. Patsy O’Day, my mom, who had left the stage to walk the path of a mom of four kids, always talked about ‘Normie’ with great admiration and affection.”
COUNCILLOR JAYE ROBINSON, 2021
Toronto City Councillor, Ward 15 – Don Valley West
“I first met Norman Jewison in 1988, at an event I organized to commemorate the transfer of Windfields Estate to the City [of Toronto] to become the future home of the Canadian Film Centre (CFC). He left a strong and long-lasting impression on me. I distinctly remember how happy he was that this landmark agreement was finally coming to fruition, after working closely with Mayor Mel Lastman and the E.P. Taylor family. In a full circle moment, I found myself serving on the CFC Board 20 years later and representing the area of Toronto where the CFC still stands. Norman Jewison continues to impress and inspire me with his quick wit and legendary speeches, which leave the entire room hanging on his every word. Over his illustrious career, Norman Jewison has put both Toronto and the Canadian film industry on the map. He is a rare find and we are lucky to have him!”