Away From Her’: A Big Winner at Canada’s Genie Awards

‘Away From Her’ bags seven statuettes on Monday night at Canada’s Genie Awards. The film by first –time filmmaker Sarah Polley bags the Best picture, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best director. Polley also took home a Genie for Best Adapted Screenplay and won the Claude Jutra Award, recognizing achievement by a first –time feature film director.

Gordon Pinsent was named Best Actor and his onscreen partner, Julie Christie, won Best Actress.

Director David Cronenberg’s film, “Eastern Promises,” also took home 7 awards, including Best Supporting actor for Armin Mueller- Stahl and Best Original Screenplay for Steve Knight.

Cate Blanchett Gets Chair Position At Australian Gov't.

Hollywood star Cate Blanchett gets the position of chairwoman at an Australian government summit meeting to chart the country's future.

The 38-year-old star will chair the " Creative Australia" discussions at Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 2020 Summit in parliament's Great Hall in Canberra on April 19-20, the report said.

Blanchett joins 10 others prominent Australians on an independent steering committee for the summit, billed as a meeting of 1,000 of the nation's best and brightest minds.

Heath Ledger Died From Accidental Overdose Of Prescription Pills

Australian- born actor Heath Ledger died from an accidental overdose of six different painkillers and sedatives, reports from his medical examiner said. According to the report from medical examiner's office , Ledger died " of acute intoxication" from the combination of two strong painkillers, two anti - anxiety medicines and two sleeping aids," leading doctors to warn of the dangers of mixing , prescription drugs.

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