Film produced by Edina native up for five Oscars

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The first round of anxiety is over for filmmaker Jim Burke of Edina. 

Now comes further buildup, and return to the edge on Feb. 24, when the Academy Award winners are announced.

Burke teamed up with long-time friend Peter Farrelly to make Green Book, which is up for five Oscars, including best picture.

"He has in the past made sort of big broad comedies," Burke told WCCO's Roshini Rajkumar. "But he's also a novelist, and I read his novels, and he has written novels that are both funny and sort of complex. For years, I've been trying to encourage him, by sending him books and things like that, to make something together that's about something. But also entertaining.

The maker of Dumb and Dumber and There's Something About Mary was hesitant.

"He always said no," said Burke.

Finally, Farrelly heard this idea.

"He pitched it to me," said Burke. "I just was taken by it. But, also, I had complete faith in him as a filmmaker. It started with my belief in Peter Farrelly.

In addition to best picture, Green Book is nominated for best actor (Viggo Mortensen), best supporting actor (Mahershala Ali), best original screenplay, and film editing.
The film Green Book tells the story of Dr. Don Shirley,  a world-class African-American pianist who embarks on a concert tour of the Deep South in 1962.   To help him through the tour, Dr. Shirley hires Tony Lip, a tough-talking bouncer from an Italian-American neighbourhood in the Bronx, to be his driver. Despite their differences, the two become good friends. 

The film has already won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and Best Screenplay, with Ali winning Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role.

Burke said the awards season is not his favorite part of the process. 

"There's still this anxieity," he said.  "You never know if you are going to win, or not win."

He said somehow during the award shows it all really matters, but said it's not fun for him.

"My sister in law calls me the most boring producer in Hollywood, which I am most proud of," said Burke, who admitted he would be shocked if Green Mile was shut out of the Oscar nominations.