Spotlight fades on Mile End with moratorium on film shoots
Mile End is a stand-in for New York in many productions, but too many film shoots leave residents fuming
From the Academy Award-nominated film Brooklyn to the popular television show Quantico, Montreal's Mile End neighbourhood has doubled for New York City in many recent film and television productions.
But the area's 15 minutes of fame – at least as a backdrop – may soon be over.
Mark Chikhani, a location manager in the film and TV business, says he received a memo from Montreal's film and television bureau informing him there is now a moratorium on filming in the heart of Mile End – an area bordered by Parc Avenue, Bernard Street, Saint-Urbain Street and Fairmount Avenue.
"In the last few years a lot of productions have been coming to Montreal, wanting to cheat New York in Montreal. And that's why a lot of productions have been in this area, and I guess the neighbourhood has had enough," Chikhani said.
A spokesman for the City of Montreal, Philippe Sabourin, said in a statement that the city's film and television bureau issued the moratorium because of the growing number of complaints from Mile End residents.
"Generally this happens when a sector becomes very busy and popular with television and film creators," Sabourin said.
Parking hard to find
Mile End resident Stan Pijpers said he can understand why the city's film bureau decided to halt film production in the area.
"I have some neighbours that have complained about it a lot because there are so many [film shoots]," he said. "You can't park on the street."
Sabourin said for an indefinite period, a maximum of two film shoots per year will be authorized in the neighbourhood.
"This will permit [the city] to find a fair balance between the needs of residents for peace and quiet and the activities of television and cinematographic productions," he said. "This respite period will also make it easier to access businesses in the sector."
with files from CBC's Neil Herland