at 21:21 on May 02, 2010, EDT.
By The Canadian Press

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Canadians have left an impression at Robert De Niro's Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

"Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage", which was screened on Sunday night, won the audience appreciation award presented by Heineken.

The directors Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn also receive a cash prize of $25,000.

The film which traces the band's history starting at a Toronto high school also goes a long way to accomplish the goals set out by the directors _ to give the Canadian band the attention they deserve.

McFadyen has said the film is essentially about how underappreciated Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart are outside of their rabid fanbase.

Rush is ranked third for having the most consecutive gold or platinum studio albums, behind only the Beatles and Rolling Stones but seems to get little attention outside its fanbase.

The directors recruited members of the Foo Fighters, Kiss, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Tool and comedian Jack Black to push home the point.

Nancy Schafer, executive director of the Tribeca Film Festival, said: "The best documentary films are just great stories with characters who jump off the screen, and that is certainly the case with ‘Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage.’”

“Scot and Sam have told a great story with their film, which is insightful and entertaining to audiences whether or not they are part of the band’s formidable fan base."

"An intimate but energetic portrayal of one of the most prolific rock bands, ‘Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage’ highlights the juxtaposition of music and film as an art form and we hope that Rush fans and audiences around the world embrace the film the way Tribeca audiences have.”

“What wonderful recognition for the hard and diligent work Sam and Scot did to bring this film to the public. We are so thrilled that they have received such a prestigious honour from the Tribeca Film Festival,” said Lee, Lifeson and Peart.

It was also shown at Toronto's Hot Docs documentary festival.

The other Canadian film that left an impression was an unlikely one.

"The Trotsky" stars Jay Baruchel ("Undeclared," ''Tropic Thunder") as a Canadian high schooler, Leon, who believes he's the reincarnation of Bolshevik revolutionary Leon Trotsky.

The film is directed by Montrealer Jacob Tierney and the cast also includes Canadians Emily Hampshire, Liane Balaban, Genevieve Bujold and Colm Feore.


©The Canadian Press, 2010

It's tragic that they're not in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.

oh its a filmmmmm


i'm like... i thought i heard Rush was playing this lil tiny ass club in town lol

My Dad use to go on about Rush, so I nabbed someone of his albums to take a listen....very underrated! Can beat Limelight, Time Stand Still, Tom Sawyer, Force 10, Witch Hunt...awesome!

And Neal Peart is a legendary drummer!!

I like Rush, but I get so sick of people declaring that something is overrated, underrated, underappreciated, etc.

All it means, is "people don't think about this group/person" exactly the way I do.

Rush sold millions of albums, they are adored by a pretty large segment of music commentators and critics. They had some big commercial success and expanded their fan base, but now what's left is generally the diehards. This happens to plenty of groups.