Marlene isn’t hiding any more.
The Voice Media production feature film inspired by the story of wife of Steven Truscott – written and directed by women – picked up four awards at the 47th annual Alberta Film and Television Awards on Saturday (Sept. 25).
Shot in Alberta, Marlene‘s story tells the tale of a woman living in secret with her family who pursues the truth behind her husband’s wrongful conviction. Directed by Wendy Hill-Tout, co-written by Hill-Tout and Cathy Ostlere, and starring Kristin Booth (Workin’ Moms), the film offers a fresh perspective on a case which has held Canadian’s imagination since Steven Truscott was sentenced to hang at age 14 for murdering classmate in the late 1950s.
Voice Media’s Bridget Dumford won for Best Editors (Scripted over 30 Minutes), Bobby Vanone for Best Production Designer/Art Director and Tracey Graham for Best Costume Designers; Best Make-Up and/or Hair Artist(s) is shared by Don Olson, Anna Ortiz, Robert Spina and Darryl Filion.
Distributed by Vortex Media, the film will have a theatrical release in early 2022.
The Rosies – said to be Canada’s oldest film and TV awards – distributed 55 awards to companies and individuals in 21 class awards for productions and 34 craft awards for individuals and teams who live in Alberta.
The biggest winner was Hidden Story Productions which picked up four awards for kahkiyaw kâtahkotanânaw – “We are all arriving together” – including Best Director for Barry Bilinsky, Best Editor (Scripted Under 30 Minutes) for Brock Mitchell, Best Overall Sound (Scripted Under 30 Minutes) for Dewi Wood, and Best Music Video as well as Best Production Reflecting Cultural Diversity for Chris Hsiung, Rio Mitchell and Laura O’Grady, Best Production Reflecting Cultural Diversity. Rounding out the wins was Wood, who picke up a second award for Best Overall Sound (Scripted Under 30 Minutes) for Hidden Story’s Premonition – “On the eve of Treaty 6″.
“I am incredibly proud of the passion every member of our team brought. It was a two-year journey through a pandemic to create an experience for visitors of the Indigenous Peoples’ Experience,” Hsiung tells Playback Daily. “The virtual recognition is felt in my heart!”
Three production companies picked up three awards each: Prairie Dog Film + Television for Tribal, Herd of 1 Media for Secret History of the Wild West and Score G Productions for Bisping.
Four production companies picked up two wins each: Critical Mass & Every Mother Counts, The Forge Audio Company & Dead West Productions, North Country Cinema and META Productions.
In the director categories, North Country Cinema’s Kyle Thomas picked up Best Director (Scripted Over 30 minutes) for Range Roads, while Julian Black Antelope (Herd of 1 Media) picked up the unscripted under 30 minute honours for Secret History of the Wild West – “Bear Medicine”, while Dominique Keller (NFB) picked up the award for unscripted over 30 minutes for Love, The Last Chapter.
In the acting categories, comedian Jann Arden, who picked up two awards last year for titular series Jann, produced by SEVEN24 Films, claimed Best Performance by an Alberta Actress for the episode “What Did Jann Do” while Tribal‘s Stafford Perry picked up the actor prize for “The Kids Had a Gun” (Prairie Dog Film + Television).
The event, hosted by Jesse Lipscombe, streamed live on Facebook and YouTube on Sunday, as a rise in COVID cases prevented Alberta Media Production Industries Association (AMPIA) from following through with the planned in-person event.
A full winners list is available on AMPIA‘s website.
Image of Fortunate Son courtesy of CBC