Before War Horse, before Beginners and before Iron Lady, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Plummer and Meryl Streep talked to Brian Linehan, Canada’s one-of-a-kind entertainment journalist, beloved around the world.
A partnership between The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, National Screen Institute (NSI) and TIFF (home of the Toronto International Film Festival) is bringing new life to some of the most popular and influential of Brian’s interviews.
Today, the Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation website is live, marking the first time such an extensive collection has been brought together, totaling more than 50 interviews over the next year. The material was provided by TIFF and is housed permanently in TIFF’s Film Reference Library.
Film students, journalists, movie buffs and new audiences will enjoy interviews from the 1970s, 80s and 90s with some of Hollywood’s and Canada’s biggest stars, and be amazed by Brian’s meticulous research that the stars often responded with ‘how did you know that?’
The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation website also provides an opportunity to learn about the Foundation’s work and who they support in the industry.
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“The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation has two goals: to raise the profile of Brian Linehan and the impact he made with his interview style, research and ease with actors and directors,” said Foundation Director Michael A. Levine,” and continue Brian’s quest for a star system in Canada. The Foundation is proud to work with organizations such as NSI and TIFF because they support and train Canada’s next generation of stars.”
“We’re delighted to work with the Foundation and NSI to make this website a reality,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO, TIFF. “During the 1970s, 80s and 90s Brian was the celebrity journalist everyone wanted to talk with and we’re proud to be able to preserve and digitize some of those incredible interviews to be enjoyed by the public via the new website.”
With awards season upon us it’s the perfect time to launch the site. Classic interviews with Steven Spielberg, Isabella Rossellini, Ellen Burstyn, Sidney Lumet, Daniel Day-Lewis, Cliff Robertson, Christopher Plummer and so many more will delight and educate audiences.
“Through these interviews, students and the public alike can see the best and brightest of their profession and learn from their experiences and expertise,” said NSI CEO John Gill. “And they’ll see what Brian did best – conduct great interviews. It’s been an honour to partner with the Foundation and TIFF on the creation of this important legacy.”
Media enquiries
Chris Vajcner, Director, Communications & Revenue Development, National Screen Institute chris.vajcner@nsi-canada.caor 204-957-2998
About Brian Linehan
Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Linehan’s lengthy interviews with such Hollywood icons as Barbra Streisand and Paul Newman made him even more celebrated when CityLightswas syndicated around the world. After the series was cancelled in 1989 he hosted several award shows and network specials before returning to the small screen in 1996 with a self-titled interview show. Diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 2002, he donated his personal files including 30 years worth of research material, correspondence, photographs and recordings to the Toronto International Film Festival Group’s reference library. Sadly, Brian passed away in 2004.
About The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation
The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation was established from the proceeds of the estate of the late Brian Linehan, one of Canada’s great journalists and on-air interviewers. Brian left his entire estate for the purpose of creating a star system in Canada including training, providing work opportunities and promoting young Canadians of exceptional talent. To date, its range of activities have included support for various programs at the National Screen Institute, scholarships at Humber College, support of the Soulpepper Academy, the Company Theatre, the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG), the Canadian Film Centre, CanStage, Company Theatre, Republic of Doyle, Sheridan College and Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Foundation advisory board members are Michael A. Levine (Director), Marcia Martin, George Anthony, Maxine Quigley and Arthur Weinthal.
About the National Screen Institute
The National Screen Institute — Canada (NSI) a not-for-profit organization with headquarters in Winnipeg, is Canada’s national film, television and digital media training school. Training is anchored on the philosophy that the best way to learn is by doing. Our market-driven training programs have led to employment for graduates by giving them a competitive edge. According to the last NSI alumni survey, 96% of respondents are working in the film and television industry. NSI’s training programs are led by experts in film, television and digital media – they deliver intensive workshops and seminars and provide participants with professional mentoring. For more information, visit www.nsi-canada.ca.
About TIFF
TIFF is a charitable cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world through film. An international leader in film culture, TIFF projects include the annual Toronto International Film Festival in September; TIFF Bell Lightbox, which features five cinemas, major exhibitions, and learning and entertainment facilities; and innovative national distribution program Film Circuit. The organization generates an annual economic impact of $170 million CAD. TIFF Bell Lightbox is generously supported by contributors including Founding Sponsor Bell, the Province of Ontario, the Government of Canada, the City of Toronto, the Reitman family (Ivan Reitman, Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels), The Daniels Corporation, Major Sponsor and official bank RBC. For more information, visit tiff.net.