Pubdate: Sun, 26 Nov 2000
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2000 The Province
Contact:  200 Granville Street, Ste. #1, Vancouver, BC V6C 3N3 Canada
Fax: (604) 605-2323
Website: http://www.vancouverprovince.com/
Page: B6
Author: Steve Berry

THROUGH A BLUE LENS WINS PRIZE

A gritty documentary on the lives of drug addicts and their
interaction with Vancouver police has won a pair of prestigious
Japanese film awards.

Through a Blue Lens, directed by Veronica Mannix, captured the Japan
Prize, given to the film judged to have the highest educational value
in the competition.  The prize is Japan's equivalent to the Oscar.

The National Film Board documentary, shot in Vancouver's Downtown
Eastside, also took top prize in the adult education category.  There
were 150 films from 46 countries entered.

"This is pretty amazing," said NFB producer Gillian Darling Kovanic.
"The film has been selling phenomenally well.  This will add to its
success."

Kovanic praised director Mannix and the "Odd Squad," a group of seven
Vancouver police constables who volunteered their time on the film and
shot some of the footage.  And she held special praise for the addicts
who allowed their stories to be told. 
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