Canada Post unveiled a new stamp on Wednesday honouring Norman Jewison, the acclaimed Canadian film director who passed away in January at 97. This tribute makes Jewison the newest film industry legend to be celebrated by the Canadian postal service. CBC News
On a rainy Wednesday afternoon, the Canadian Film Centre (CFC) in Toronto is filled with the sounds of rain blending with music scores from the films of Norman Jewison, one of Hollywood’s most celebrated Canadian directors. Despite the gloomy weather, the mood is festive as family, friends, and film enthusiasts gather at the CFC to celebrate Jewison’s latest honour: a commemorative stamp issued by Canada Post.
As attendees walk under large umbrellas and enter the venue, they are greeted with glasses of bubbly and a special unveiling. The event, hosted by comedian Rick Mercer, highlights Jewison's impressive career and his contribution to the Canadian film industry. Mercer humorously compares Jewison’s new stamp to quintessential Canadian symbols, like maple syrup and prairie sunsets, celebrating Jewison's place in Canadian culture.
The stamp features a photograph of Jewison taken in the CFC theatre in 2007, showcasing him among red movie seats. Jewison, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 97, began his career in television with CBC in 1951 before making his feature film debut with "40 Pounds of Trouble" in 1962. Over his prolific career, Jewison earned several Oscar nominations and won accolades for films like "In the Heat of the Night," "Fiddler on the Roof," and "Moonstruck." In 1999, he received the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award at the Oscars, recognizing his exceptional body of work.
David Cronenberg, another renowned Canadian director, attended the event wearing a hat with Jewison’s initials. Cronenberg spoke about Jewison’s support and enthusiasm for his work, despite their differing styles. He praised Jewison for his genuine kindness and encouragement, which he remembered fondly.
Maxine Bailey, executive director of the CFC, described Jewison as a visionary who not only shaped the Canadian film landscape creatively but also supported emerging filmmakers through the CFC, which he founded in 1988. She noted that Jewison’s stamp captures a part of the CFC, symbolizing his lasting impact on the Canadian film community.
The stamp unveiling was a meaningful tribute to Jewison’s legacy. Canada Post revealed that Jewison had a hand in selecting the image for the stamp and was personally involved in its creation. The stamp commemorates his early days working at his father’s general store, where he had fond memories of being sworn in as a teenager to work in the post office.
Jewison joins other Canadian film icons honoured by Canada Post, including Donald Sutherland, Monique Mercure, Mary Pickford, Christopher Plummer, Mike Myers, and Denys Arcand. This latest tribute ensures that Jewison’s contributions to cinema and Canadian culture will be remembered for years to come.
