Canadian director Norman Jewison died last Saturday at the age of 97 at his residence in Los Angeles. The news was confirmed by his publicist Jeff Sanderson on Monday. Jewison, recognized for masterpieces such as the iconic musical Jesus Christ Superstar, leaves an indelible legacy in film history.
Born in 1926, Jewison established himself in the entertainment industry with a career that spanned more than four decades and more than 40 films, winning prestigious Academy Awards, including a lifetime achievement Oscar in 1999. His impact on film was highlighted with films like In the Heat of the Night, which won the Oscar for best picture in 1967, and Moonstruck, a romantic comedy that became a classic of the genre, starring Cher and Nicholas Cage.
But it was with Jesus Christ Superstar, released in 1973, that Jewison left an indelible mark on pop culture. The rock opera, which narrated the life of Jesus in an innovative way, conquered the public and critics, establishing itself as a milestone in the director's filmography. This film, along with others such as The King of Gambling, The Thomas Crown Secret and God's Agnes, established Jewison as a versatile filmmaker capable of tackling various genres with mastery.
Jewison's influence transcended the screen, as he also excelled on television, directing episodes for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation before making the leap to the United States in 1962. His ability to direct actors earned him praise, working with legends such as Doris Day , Rock Hudson, Steve McQueen and Dick van Dyke.
Jewison was a keen observer of racial tensions in the United States. The experience of traveling through the south of the country in the 1940s marked his awareness of apartheid and racial prejudice, feelings that he masterfully captured in In the Heat of the Night.
The Canadian not only portrayed social reality in his films, but also actively participated in marches for human rights, meeting emblematic figures such as Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
