Indo-Canadian film director Deepa Mehta is being honoured by the Toronto Film Critics Association and is receiving the Clyde Gilmour Award, the organization recently announced – the $50,000 cash prize will be given to a filmmaker of Mehta’s choice.
Mehta is likely best known for her Elements Trilogy, Fire (1996), Earth (1998), and Water (2005), a flick that was nominated for an Oscar. Today she is being recognized for her most recent project, Beeba Boys, stars Randeep Hooda and was released in theatres last month.
“The relationship between artists and critics can certainly be fractious, but in a strange way we are inextricably connected – we all have a passion for movies (well not all movies) and value it when they make a contribution to increasing our understanding of each other and reveal the foibles of human existence. I admit that I am sometimes strongly opposed to the views expressed by some critics and perhaps am too vocal at times about my disagreements. This makes this award even more precious to me,” Mehta said (NorthernStars). “I wanted to add that Technicolor, who sponsors this Award and lets me “give” $50,000 in services to a fellow filmmaker (how great is this!), has worked closely with me on many of my films with a generous, flexible understanding of the inner workings of movie making. I am really delighted to be associated with them as part of this Award.”
“Deepa Mehta has expanded the horizons of Canadian cinema with intrepid vision,” said TFCA President Brian D. Johnson. “In a career spanning 25 years, her films have crossed boundaries between continents and cultures, genres and genders. As a fiercely independent female director, with a canvas that ranges from brutal injustice to Bollywood delirium, she’s shown there’s no limit to where a Canadian movie can go.”
Photo: Deepa Mehta/Beeba Boys
