Nails (1979)

Born in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. A leading Canadian filmmaker, Phillip Borsos enjoyed considerable success in international markets. One of the "Vancouver School", he began his career as a director (and sometime producer and writer) with several short subjects, beginning with COOPERAGE (1976). NAILS / CLOUS (1979), which Borsos also produced, was nominated for an Academy Award as best documentary (short subject). His feature film debut, THE GREY FOX (1982) starring Richard Farnsworth, made when he was 27, received critical acclaim, and won the Canadian Genie awards for both best film and best direction. Then, in 1985, Borsos directed the crime thriller THE MEAN SEASON (1985) with Kurt Russell and Mariel Hemingway and the Disney feature, ONE MAGIC CHRISTMAS, with Mary Steenburgen and Harry Dean Stanton. However, the making of the $18 million BETHUNE: THE MAKING OF A HERO (1990), a Canada - China co-production, was marked by financial and other difficulties. Borsos did not get to make the final cut and the film itself is often considered not to go beyond hagiography. His last completed feature was FAR FROM HOME: THE ADVENTURES OF YELLOW DOG (1995) for 20th Century-Fox with Mimi Rogers and Bruce Davison. When his backers withdrew, Borsos had to stop his filming of John Irving's novel, The Cider House Rules, which was subsequently made by Lasse Hallström in 1999. From 1994, Borsos continued his career as director despite an ongoing battle with leukemia. He died in Vancouver, BC, Canada from the disease at the age of 41.  Nominated for Documentary (Short Subjects) 1979: NAILS - Producer 1 nomination