Dolly contributed her voice in two cameo roles in the Canadian coming-of-age film "The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom," released in 2011. The main character, Elizabeth, played by Julia Stone, grows up in the 1970s idolizing Dolly and her individualism. The film includes several of Dolly’s songs, including versions sung by Canadian artists Martha Wainwright, Coral Egan, Nelly Furtado, Genevieve Toupin, and Wailin’ Jennies.
The film was directed by Calgary Alberta’s Tara Johns who explained her inclusion of Dolly,
“...I heard a radio interview that Dolly Parton gave. I was blown away by what a strong, independent, forthright woman she really was, and she always has been. And I just thought she’d be such a cool role model for so many girls, especially in the ‘70s. She’s like Madonna for the ‘70s.”
Dolly said after seeing the movie,
“I thought it was really, really great and was very, very proud of it... I thought everyone was great. But, I especially loved my little daughter. (Ha!)”
A Canadian documentary called 'The Book Lady,' was released and later added to Air Canada’s in-flight movie rotation. The film was invited to the Cleveland International Film Festival and the 40th Nashville Film Festival. (more…)
""Travelin’ Thru," Dolly’s song from the movie "Transamerica," was one of four songs nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 2005. "A Love That Will Never Grow Old," from the movie "Brokeback Mountain," won during the Jan. 16, 2006 ceremony.
Dolly said of the nomination,
“What a great honor to be nominated for a Golden Globe Award for my song 'Travelin' Thru' from the wonderful, touching film 'Transamerica.' After all my years in show business, I’m still humbled and overjoyed when I am recognized for my work.”
The Golden Globes are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association whose mission is partially to "To recognize outstanding achievements by conferring annual Awards of Merit, (Golden Globe® Awards), serving as a constant incentive within the entertainment industry, both domestic and foreign, and to focus wide public attention upon the best in motion pictures and television."
Dolly’s song "Travelin’ Thru," from the 2005 motion picture "Transamerica," won the 2005 Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Song. The award is given by a group of film reviewers for Phoenix area publications.
"Travelin' Thru" is an original song written and performed by Dolly for the movie "Transamerica." The song went on to receive nominations for an Academy Award for Best Song and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. It was also nominated by the Broadcast Film Critics Association for Best Song and won for Best Original Song at the Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards on 2005.
When Duncan Tucker, the director of the movie "Transamerica," was looking for a song for the end credits of his movie, he had only one thought, Dolly Parton.
Dolly said about her motivation for writing the movie’s song,
"Some people are blind or ignorant, and you can't be that prejudiced and hateful and go through this world and still be happy. One thing about this movie is that I think art can change minds. It's alright to be who you are."
