The Ernie Game

The Ernie Game is a 1967 Canadian drama film directed by Don Owen.[1]

Called "One of the most innovative examples of personal cinema to come from English Canada in the Sixties" by the Cinematheque Ontario, The Ernie Game was part of a proposed trio of works intended to celebrate the Canadian Centennial. The film centres on Ernie Turner and his attempts to survive in the world after he's released from an asylum. He grows increasingly alienated and his fragile mental state declines, moving between two women, ex-girlfriend and current lover. "The Ernie Game provides a resonant portrait of mental illness," writes Steve Gravestock of the Cinematheque, "its pathologically narcissistic protagonist representing Owen’s most nightmarish vision of the artist as fraud and pariah."[2]

The characters of Gail (Jackie Burroughs) and Donna (Judith Gault) previously appeared in Owen's shorter drama film Notes for a Film About Donna and Gail, although the role of Donna was played by a different actress in the earlier film.[3]

Produced by the National Film Board of Canada, The Ernie Game received two Canadian Film Awards, for Best Direction and Best Feature Film, at the 20th Canadian Film Awards in 1968.[4] It was also entered into the 18th Berlin International Film Festival and the Chicago International Film Festival,[5] and was screened in the Director's Fortnight stream at the 1969 Cannes Film Festival.[6]