Oscar-winning Edina native to receive Twin Cities Film Fest lifetime award
The Twin Cities Film Festival will give Oscar-winning Edina native Jim Burke a lifetime achievement award at its annual gala Thursday night.
Burke produced "Green Book," which won the Best Film award this year. Burke says it's been quite a year for him, although he jokes the idea of getting a “lifetime” award implies he's about done.
"Nevertheless, it's still so wonderful to be honored for my professional career in my hometown by a festival I think is so expertly run," he said.
Burke also produced such films as "The Descendants," "Election" and "Cedar Rapids." He is currently developing a project with Minneapolis writer and director Bill Pohlad.
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Burke says he's had an amazing year, but he's still trying to get a handle on how he feels.
"I think that I will sort of review this year, maybe at the end of it, or maybe somewhere down the line, and look back on it and say 'wow.'"
Burke says he knew "Green Book" had a good script about an Italian bouncer hired to drive a classically trained African American pianist through the segregated south in the early 1960s. But he says signing Viggo Mortensen to play the bouncer along with the musician played by Mahershala Ali provided the magic which made the film special.
"Green Book" is the most financially successful film of Burke's 20 year career.