Canada At the Oscars: 3 Out Of 7 Ain’t Bad

Aside from waiting with baited breath to see if the truth about Canada’s role in the Iran hostage crisis would be discussed (it was, if briefly), this year’s Oscar highlights for Canadians were limited to three measly wins; best original score, best visual effects and best set decoration.

Mychael Danna took the Oscar for best original score in Life of Pi, and adopted Canadian Guillaume Rocheron (and his team) won for best visual effects, also for Life of Pi. Did you know the book Life of Pi was written by a Canadian? Yann Martel gets very little love.

Ang Lee has given Canada more credit for #LifeOfPi than Ben Affleck for #Argo. #Oscars

— Alvin (@thecheapmonk) February 25, 2013

Though he wasn’t in attendance, Jim Erickson was also a winner for set decoration on Lincoln, a great career capper for a veteran in the entertainment industry said to be retiring.

Shut out this year were Kim Nguyen for War Witch, as well as three other people you’ve probably never heard of (Miro Jarjoura? Yan England? Ariel Nasr? Better luck next time). Miro Jarjoura, Yan England and Ariel Nasr were all nominated in the same category, best live action short, but none were able to seal the deal against Curfew.

Another random Canuck appearance came in the form of William Shatner’s video interruption of Seth MacFarlane’s opening monologue, in which he warned MacFarlane against the We Saw Your Boobs song. It was no Blame Canada but I dunno, I thought it was pretty good.

@williamshatner Saves the Oscar opening! Once again Canada saves America and gets no credit #Argo #Oscars

— Jaeme Cobb (@s_mcgrillz) February 25, 2013

The good news is that the young Congolese star of War Witch, Rachel Mwanza, was finally granted a U.S. visa and was able to attend the ceremony, which probably softened the blow when Amour took the best foreign language film win. Regardless, she looked fabulous on the red carpet.

#WarWitch star Rachel Mwanza in a dress made for her by African designer Vlisco: twitter.com/TribecaFilm/st…

— Tribeca Film (@TribecaFilm) February 25, 2013

In the final stretch, Christopher Plummer (otherwise known as Canada’s National Treasure) added a touch of class while presenting the best supporting actress award to Anne Hathaway, and showed off his Canuck pride by wearing his Order of Canada pin. *sniff*

Christopher Plummer representing with his Order of Canada pin. Awesome. #Oscars twitpic.com/c6mvfj

— Alex Ruiz (@alex_ruiz) February 25, 2013

All in all, it was a decent showing for the Great White North, and the ceremony was thankfully Celine Dion free. Here’s hoping this year’s crop of movies stands us in better stead at the 2014 Oscars.

75% of Canadians are boycotting the Oscars because Goon wasn’t nominated

— Stats Canada (@stats_canada) February 24, 2013