TORONTO - Acclaimed film director Norman Jewison says those who work in Canada's film community should be treasured and supported as ambassadors of Canuck culture.
While refraining from any overt demands for funding or political policy, the "Moonstruck" director said Monday that the film industry is driven by talent, not cash or resources.
Jewison made the comments as he accepted an honorary doctor of letters from Ryerson University and told graduates to stay true to their individual convictions.
"Talent is the engine that drives our industry and Canada has the resources and we must do more to build on our inventory of talent," Jewison said in a convocation address to graduates in film, fashion, media and photography.
"The power of our arts is the essence of Canada; artists are our most precious commodity because we supply the images and the words through which we see and understand ourselves as a people."
"It's time to show the world we have more to offer than hockey and pulp and paper, oil and minerals and poutine."
With a career that spans six decades, Jewison is one of Canada's most respected and honoured film directors.
The 81-year-old filmmaker, known for such classics as "Moonstruck," "In the Heat of the Night," "The Hurricane" and "A Soldier's Story," left the stage immediately following his speech with organizers explaining he had to attend another award ceremony by the American Film Institute.
The AFI was to present Jewison with a doctorate of fine arts on Wednesday.
Jewison challenged the new graduates to never compromise personal beliefs and to protect themselves against the onslaught of influences that would rob them of individuality.
"It's tough because our culture today is obsessed with celebrity," he said.
"The world is driven by media. As Bill Goldman, the celebrated screenwriter and a good friend of mine said, we live in the days of hype and glory but film still remains. We still go to the movies. Motion pictures are still the most viable, the most prestigious form of mass media."
