On
Monday, May 4, 2009, legendary Canadian-born director, Norman Jewison,
was awarded The National Arts Club's prestigious Medal of Honor
for Film at a dinner held in his honor the historic Gramercy Park venue
in New York City.
Whoopi Goldberg, who worked with Jewison on the film Bogus,
made a surprise appearance and was one of the many that shared personal
stories about working with the acclaimed director. “I did not
make a deep heavy film with Norman,” said Goldberg. “Most
Black people in the room did; I did not. I made a frivolous film with
Norman. A film that I love; with a crazy Frenchman and a little boy
who grew up to see dead people and whose little sister is now Miley
Cyrus' best friend on TV.”
Also in attendance was Harry Belafonte who
spoke of the first time he and Norman Jewison had worked together,
which was for CBS' “The Big Party by Revlon.” Other
speakers included Academy Award winning actress, Olympia
Dukakis; Academy Award winning screenwriter, William
Goldman; producer David Picker; Award winning TV interviewer, Professor
Richard Brown; and The Consul General of Canada in
New York, Daniel Sullivan.
Cher, who appeared via a video that was expedited to the NAC to make
it in time for the dinner, spoke of her profound respect
for her Moonstruck director and revealed an almost-wedding. “I
once almost got married after I saw Fiddler on the Roof so either I
am an idiot or you're too persuasive or both.”
Though he too could not attend the dinner, Sidney Poitier sent his
best wishes to Jewison via a letter that was read by Aldon James, President
of The National Arts Club. Poitier's letter described Jewison
as a man who has “balance and peace center him in an unsteady
world” and that “we should draw closer and listen to his
life.”
In a special musical performance, that garnered a standing ovation
from Harry Belafonte, Academy Award and Grammy winning songwriters,
Alan and Marilyn Bergman, performed their award-winning song "The
Windmills of Your Mind," which was featured in Jewison's acclaimed
film, The Thomas Crown Affair.
Additional guests included award-winning casting director, Avy Kaufman;
Emmy-nominated producer Patrick Markey; actress Gargi Shinde(Frozen
River); actor Kurt Yaghjian (Jesus Christ Superstar);
and artist Neil Grayson.
