(Ireland, 2001)
  Set in 1953 Dublin, Evelyn is based on a true story that resulted in sweeping changes to Irish custody laws. Director Bruce Beresford tells the tale unemployed decorator Desmond Doyle (Pierce Brosnan), whose three children are taken into care after he is deserted by his wife. With the help of a sympathetic barmaid (Julianne Margulies), her solicitor brother (Stephen Rea), a visiting Irish-American lawyer (Aidan Quinn) and a hard-drinking ex-rugby playing law professor (Alan Bates), he takes on Church and State in a bid to reunite his family.

(USA, 2002)

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, CHRIS COOPER

  Adaptation is some kind of a filmmaking miracle, a film that is at one and the same time (a) the story of a movie being made, (b) the story of orchid thievery and criminal conspiracies, and (c) a deceptive combination of fiction and real life. The movie has been directed by Spike Jonze, who with Charlie Kaufman as writer made Being John Malkovich, the best film of 1999. If you saw that film, you will (a) know what to expect this time, and (b) be wrong in countless ways.

(USA/Canada, 2001)
NOMINATED FOR 6 ACADEMY AWARDS, INCLUDING:
  BEST ACTRESS, SALMA HAYEK
  ART DIRECTION
  COSTUME DESIGN
  MAKEUP
  ORIGINAL SCORE AND ORIGINAL SONG

  Julie Taymor's biopic tells the story of an extraordinary life. Frida Kahlo (Salma Hayek), born of a German Jewish father and a Mexican mother, grew up in Mexico City at a time when it was a hotbed of exile and intrigue. Diego Rivera (Alfred Molina) was already a legend when she met him. Equally gifted at art, carnal excess and self-promotion, his murals overshadowed her art. In marriage, they expected loyalty but not fidelity, yet became passionately jealous.

(Canada/France, 2002, in English, French and Armenian)

WINNER OF 5 GENIE AWARDS, INCLUDING:
  BEST ACTRESS, ARSINEE KHANJIAN
  BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR, ELIAS KOTEAS
  BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
  BEST COSTUME DESIGN
  AND BEST PICTURE

  Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter, Felicia's Journey) has made a film within a film that deals with the Armenian genocide of 1915 by the Turkish military. The central character is Raffi (David Alpay), an 18-year-old Armenian Canadian who becomes increasingly involved in the emotional issue of his people's genocide. His mother Ani (Arsinee Khanjian) is a historian with an intimate knowledge of the Armenian massacre, having lost her activist husband. Ani is invited by a famous director (Charles Aznavour) to consult on a Hollywood version of the Armenian tragedy. His film includes the story of an American doctor (Bruce Greenwood) caught in the middle of the melee. While Ani becomes increasingly involved with the film, Raffi flies to Armenia to get a sense of his nation's history, and put closure on the death of his father.

(UK/France/Germany/Poland/Netherlands, 2002; in German and English)

ACADEMY AWARD WINNER:
  BEST ACTOR, ADRIEN BRODY
  BEST DIRECTOR, ROMAN POLANSKI
  BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

  Roman Polanski's most powerful film since Chinatown is set in 1939 Warsaw, shortly after Poland's defeat to Germany. The film is based on the autobiography of celebrated Jewish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, played with amazing range by Adrien Brody. The pianist was playing Chopin on a Warsaw radio station when the first German bombs fell. Resolved that they're not going anywhere, the family is then forced to watch as the restrictions against Jews become increasingly more odious. Instead of taking us into the depths of Auschwitz, the film leaves us on the streets of Warsaw, where survival was no more assured. A powerful account by someone who remembers, devoid of melodrama; deft and masterful.

(Canada, 2002)

BEST CANADIAN FIRST FEATURE (TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2002)

  Marion Bridge is the story of three sisters paralyzed by family secrets. In the midst of struggling to overcome her self-destructive behaviour, the youngest sister, Agnes, returns home determined to confront the past in a community built on avoiding it. Her quest sets in motion a chain of events that allows the sisters each in their own way to re-connect with the world and one another. Set in post-industrial Cape Breton, Marion Bridge is a story of poignant humor and drama.

The film stars Molly Parker (Max, Kissed), Rebecca Jenkins (Bye Bye Blues, Black Harbour) and Stacy Smith (New Waterford Girl). Directed by new talent Wiebke von Carolsfeld, Marion Bridge was written by Daniel MacIvor (The Five Senses), based upon his Governor General's Award-nominated play.