Prominent Canadian filmmaker Norman Jewison passes away at age 97

Renowned Canadian filmmaker and producer Norman Jewison has passed away at the age of 97, as confirmed by his publicist. On Saturday, Jewison peacefully died at his home, according to Jeff Sanderson. Although no further details were provided, it is known that Jewison was a three-time Oscar nominee for best director. Jewison's directorial credits include the well-loved movies Moonstruck, In The Heat Of The Night, and Fiddler on the Roof. He was a versatile storyteller and gained recognition for addressing societal issues such as racism and civil rights in his films. Throughout his career, Jewison's movies received a total of 46 Academy Award nominations, resulting in 12 Oscars. In 1999, the director was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences in the United States. Four years later, he was also recognized with a similar award in Canada for his significant contributions to the country's film industry, including the establishment of the Canadian Film Centre. Reflecting on his approach to filmmaking, Jewison wrote in his autobiography in 2004, "I have tended to show humanity as fallible, sensitive, befuddled, misled but redeemable, rather than mindless, relentlessly violent." He aimed to create movies that resonated with people and showcased relatable characters. Throughout his illustrious career, the Toronto-born director worked alongside some of Hollywood's biggest stars, including Denzel Washington and Sidney Poitier. Jewison's death marks the end of a remarkable journey for a filmmaker who brought compelling stories to life on the silver screen.