One of Canada’s most recognizable performing artists will receive a short cinematic tribute from a Vancouver filmmaker.
Kathleen Jayme is best known for her two movies about the Vancouver Grizzlies—The Grizzlie Truth and Big Country. However, her next project will be about actor-comedian Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, who starred as Mr. Kim in Kim’s Convenience.
It’s part a National Film Board initiative bringing together filmmakers, producers, and legends from the performing arts. The NFB’s Shirley Vercruysse is producing Jayme’s film. Jayme traces her ancestral roots to the Philippines; Lee’s heritage is Korean.
The film is being made in connection with Lee winning the National Arts Centre Award. It’s part of the 2023 Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards.
Watch Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s video message after hearing about a major award.
This is one of a series of seven short films being made about high-profile Canadian artists. Different directors are creating short docs about choreographer James Kudelka, soprano Rosemarie Landry, singer-songwriter k.d. lang, Indigenous leader John Kim Bell, singer-songwriter Molly Johnson, and playwright-screenwriter-librettist Michael Marc Bouchard.
All the films will be screened at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards. They take place on May 27 at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
“Since 2008, we’ve been thrilled to partner with the GGPAA in honouring excellence in Canadian performing arts, bringing together talented filmmakers, NFB producers and creative teams from across Canada to celebrate great artists and arts volunteers,” NFB chairperson Suzanne Guèvremont said in a news release. “These short films are a part of our collective memory, and they help to ensure that the invaluable contributions of GGPAA laureates are accessible to all Canadians.”
Follow Pancouver editor Charlie Smith on Twitter @charliesmithvcr. Follow Pancouver on Twitter @PancouverMedia.
