In a tribute to Canadian excellence, three striking portrait-style murals will celebrate drag superstar Priyanka, award-winning Canadian actor Paul Sun Hyung-Lee, and one of Canada’s most celebrated filmmakers, the late Jean-Marc Vallée, whose visionary work left an indelible mark on cinema.
Starting today, the murals will appear in each of these culture figures’ hometowns: Priyanka’s vibrant tribute now brightens the heart of Toronto’s Gay Village at the corner of Church and Wellesley, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s mural brings fresh energy to Calgary’s Inglewood neighborhood at The Blue Store (1344 9 Ave SE). To be unveiled later this week, Jean-Marc Vallée is immortalized with a stunning tribute on the Real by Fake building (1455 Rue Saint-Timothée) in Montreal, home to the special effects company that worked on many of his projects.
The mural series, part of the MADE | NOUS Hometown Hero campaign, celebrates the profound influence and achievements of these individuals who have shaped Canadian culture and inspire future generations of creative talent. Through their artistic contributions, Priyanka, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Jean-Marc Vallée have left their distinct mark on their hometown cities while making a lasting impact on the national and international stage. The presence of the murals aims to uplift the communities they have touched, fostering creativity and inspiration across the country.
“I remember thinking as a kid, I cannot WAIT to move to Toronto to be a big star! My life changed when I moved to the Gay Village,” said Priyanka. “As someone who found their voice and passion in the heart of Toronto, seeing myself on a mural in the Gay Village feels surreal! It’s a celebration of not just my journey, but of the entire LGBTQ+ community that has supported me every step of the way. I hope this mural inspires others to embrace their uniqueness, live their passion, and remember that anything is possible when you are your true self.”
“Growing up in Calgary, I never imagined I’d be part of something like this,” said Paul Sun Hyung-Lee. “It’s incredibly humbling to see my story reflected in the streets of my hometown. I hope this mural serves as a reminder to everyone that no goal is too big, and no journey is too small to make a lasting impact. Canada’s strength is in our diversity and our stories, and I’m proud to be part of that narrative.”
A statement from Alex & Émile Vallée, the sons of Jean-Marc Vallée: “Our father always believed that storytelling had the power to transcend boundaries and connect people on a deeply emotional level. This mural honors his spirit and his unwavering commitment to his craft. It’s a beautiful tribute to his roots here in Montreal, a city that shaped his vision and where his journey as a filmmaker began. We know he would be deeply moved by this gesture, and we hope it inspires future generations of artists to follow their passion.”
“As Canadians, we’re united by a shared pride of where we come from and the stories only we can tell. By recognizing these hometown heroes in the cities where their journeys began, we can inspire others to pursue their dreams and tell their stories, no matter where they start or where they land,” said Mathieu Chantelois, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Public Affairs, Canada Media Fund. “These murals stand as powerful reminders that greatness can come from anywhere, and that the next wave of Canadian talent is already rising in communities across our country.”
In addition to the murals, MADE | NOUS will donate $5,000 to local charities chosen by each Hometown Hero. Priyanka has selected ASAAP (Alliance for South Asian AIDS Prevention) and 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations, with the donation being split between the two organizations. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee has chosen the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada, and a donation in Jean-Marc Vallées honour will be made to the Jean-Marc Vallée Memorial Fund.
The murals were designed by Étienne Dicaire (Priyanka), Charmaine Wong (Paul Sun Hyung-Lee) and Zek (Jean-Marc Vallée).
Get ready to feel some pride, Canada. Today MADE | NOUS launched its new campaign, MADE Better, designed to show Canadians how much they have to celebrate when it comes to the entertainment industry.
Canadian talent is behind some of the most diverse and impactful storytelling at home and around the world, including Simu Liu, the first Asian lead in a Marvel movie (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings); Domee Shi, the first woman to direct a Pixar movie solo (Turning Red); and Devery Jacobs, Paulina Alexis, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai – three Canadian Indigenous actors starring in the U.S. hit Reservation Dogs, the first series to have all Indigenous creatives at the helm.
Following the success of 2021’s SEEK MORE campaign, which resulted in a 51% net gain in favourable perceptions around diversity in Canadian content*, MADE Better includes a series of 30-second montages that highlight Canadians in film, television, video games, and digital entertainment. Presented by the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and Telefilm Canada, the spots will air on major broadcast networks from February to April, with shorter digital spots running online (#MADEBetter).
“MADE Better is a bold celebration of Canada’s talent and creatives. The tagline may be cheeky and confident, but it’s true – Canadians are in front of the camera and behind the scenes on some of the biggest blockbuster films, TV series, and video games. Our goal is to celebrate Canadians making better entertainment every day,” said Valerie Creighton, President & CEO, Canada Media Fund.
The campaign’s central message is that Canadian storytelling is simply made better, including in comedy (MADE Funny), video game design (MADE Thrilling), and diversity (MADE Historic). The montages also bring awareness to actors and properties audiences may already love but not realize are Canadian.
Since its launch in 2019, the MADE | NOUS initiative has put the spotlight on Canada’s world-class talent to shift perceptions of Canadian content at home and abroad. To date, ambassadors who’ve supported the initiative include Stephan James, Shamier Anderson, Devery Jacobs, Amanda Brugel, Karine Vanasse, Simu Liu, Jay Baruchel, Hamza Haq, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Kaniehtiio Horn. MADE | NOUS campaigns have achieved an overwhelmingly positive sentiment in audience perception of Canadian storytelling, and a favourable opinion of CanCon and the Canadian entertainment industry.**
The MADE Better campaign was developed by TORQUE Strategies, 123w, and Rethink Canada.
In celebration of Canada Day, Apple TV also is joining-in on the celebrations with a special MADE | NOUS Collection.
The Collection offers visibility to more Canadian titles like never before, including:
— Explore movies and shows from Indigenous creators like Tantoo Cardinal and Jeff Barnaby
— Celebrate new releases and classics from Quebec like Rebelle and Bon Cop, Bad Cop
— Enjoy iconic, groundbreaking work from homegrown filmmakers like American Psycho and Dallas Buyers Club
— Snuggle up to watch landmark Hollywood movies show in the Great White North like The Shape of Water and Brokeback Mountain
For more, visit https://apple.co/Made-Nous.
(Photo credit: Made | Nous)
MADE | NOUS is celebrating Canadian-made Films this Summer with a Blockbuster Series across the Country! The Series kicks-off with Denis Villeneuve‘s ARRIVAL.
ARRIVAL locations and dates:
Additional films and locations will be announced throughout the summer. Summer Blockbuster Series locations and dates currently include:
More on the Program here.
(Photo credit: Made | Nous)
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