An independent feature film that will be shown in theatres and on national television in Switzerland started shooting in Merritt and Lower Nicola last week.
Swiss director Nino Jacusso has prepared for the film by living with and casting locals since April.
He released this statement: “We are an art house project with a limited budget, but we are committed to spend as much of our funds as possible locally.”
The film, “Shana – The Wolf’s Music,” is based on a 13-year-old Canadian aboriginal girl who is an incredibly gifted violinist. When her father sells her violin to pay off a debt, she steals it back and escapes into the wilderness where she connects with a she-wolf that becomes her protector.
While in the wild, she discovers a new form of musical expression and it leads to her acceptance to a music school in Vancouver.
Jacusso’s films aim to mirror cultural bridges, he noted.
His movies are usually set in different cultures and they merge what normally seems impossible. He takes one reality and creates a new one.
“When I go to the cinema with my children, I would like to see a film that is gentle and loving, which tells us of a world that is different and yet familiar,” he explained, “a film which makes us think, which gives us courage and makes us curious about other cultures.”
The movies have roots in Russia, Italy and British new realism.
“Escape from Paradise,” and “Federica de Cesco – My Life, my Worlds” are Jacusso’s latest flicks.
He is known for working with “real people,” rather than actors who are already trained, though he trains the actors extensively leading up to the first days of shooting.
Approximately 50 actors are being used from the Nicola Valley – 95 per cent of them First Nations – most of whom Jacusso selected from the area.
The film features approximately 50 speaking roles, including six lead actors.
“I found people who are essential for the realization of this project,” he said. “I am so happy with the local talent in front of the camera, especially Sunshine O’Donovan, a Lower Nicola Indian Band member, playing the role of Shana, and Deliah Dick as her teacher and mentor.”
As the line producer and first-assistant director, Peter Dashkewytch is the logistics man for the film.
“The actors are just normal people that [Jacusso] hand-picked and thought would be good in this film,” he said in a phone interview. “He’s been rehearsing with them and working quite diligently with them, getting them prepared to shoot his movie. He’s lived in their homes and has been quite welcomed in this community.”
“Shana” is based on a German children’s book, but is Canadian First Nations based.
The film is a Swiss-Canadian co-production, but the majority of financing is from Switzerland.
A mandate to hire mostly Swiss crew meant many European arrivals to Merritt.
“We’re pretty small in the scheme of budgets,” Dashkewytch said, noting that while the funding is limited, the story packs a punch. “It doesn’t have Johnny Depp or anyone like that.”
The crew started shooting on July 17, and is scheduled to continue for six weeks until Aug. 25.
“We’re only shooting about six or seven days outside of the reserve, but the rest of the time we’ll be in Lower Nicola,” he said.
After shooting in the Nicola Valley, the crew will continue shooting near Campbell River on Sept. 1 to 6.
Executive Director of the LNIB Arnie Narcisse said the band welcomes the production team.
“Since they first set eyes on the beautiful Nicola Valley, they have dreamed of making this film here,” he said.
“Now that dream is becoming a reality. Everyone involved has been respectful of our traditions, customs and teachings.”
The crew is shooting at several locations, including an undisclosed Merritt restaurant, a ranch and in Lower Nicola homes.
The production is between Reck Filmpoduktion in Zurich, Switzerland, and Red Cedar Films in Vancouver.
