Local filmmakers hope to lure weekend audiences to Cast No Shadow
An award winning, Newfoundland-made feature film is making its local debut at a theatre in Mount Pearl this weekend.
Christian Sparkes, the director and co-producer of Cast No Shadow, said the premiere at Cineplex Cinemas is especially significant because he grew up in the west end of St. John's, near Bowring Park — just around the corner.
"I've literally seen a thousand movies here," said Sparkes. "I still call it Sobey's Square."
Sparkes's film has received global recognition, both at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea and the Berlin International Film Festival.
But Sparkes said it was two big wins on Canadian soil that gave Cast No Shadow a much-needed boost.
The film was declared the top winner at the Atlantic Film Festival this fall, and it picked up four prestigious Canadian Screen Award nominations — including a nod for best motion picture.
"It kind of launched the film at a whole other level," Sparkes said.
Make Believe
Thirteen-year-old Jude, played by Percy Hynes White, relies on his vivid imagination as a means of escape from his abusive father.
"The further he delves, the more difficult it is to ascertain what's real and what's not," said Sparkes.
The role of Jude's dad, Angus, is played by White's real-life father, Joel Thomas Hynes — who's also the film's screenwriter.
Sparkes said many think it might be a struggle for a real father and son to portray such heavy subject matter.
"I don't want to say [they] enjoyed doing that per se, but working together was a great experience for them. I mean, it's make believe," said Sparkes.
"I think a lot of the more difficult scenes were harder for the crew than it was for them."
As for his young lead, Sparkes said White couldn't be any more different from the troubled young character he portrays on screen.
"He's a ham. He's always beatboxing, break dancing, making fart jokes with the crew — that's Percy," he said.
"I'd like to take a lot of credit for his great performance in the film, but he's a natural."
White recently had a role in Robin Williams's last film, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb.
A successful showing
Sparkes and his team spent roughly six months scouting locations across the province before filming began.
"We looked at every little cove, every little cliffside, all the rural areas. You pick the best, and I think that shows on screen," he said.
One location is the famous Bell Island mines. In the film, the mines are made out to be menacing sea caves, home to an evil troll.
"I'm kind of giddy because it was my goal to get this movie in theatres, which isn't always an easy feat, and here we are. It's in theatres and there are a bunch people in there, so it's really exciting," she said.
Cast No Shadow is launching in three Canadian theatres: Cineplex Cinemas in Mount Pearl, the Scotiabank Theatre in Halifax and the Carlton Cinema in Toronto.
White said that, depending on the success of the weekend showings, the film could stay in theatres for another week.
"I hope the awards and the little bit of buzz that we got [will] make people want to go see it, because that's all that you really want — to get an audience and for people to see your film," she said.
For a look at the trailer for Cast No Shadow, click the video player below. Having difficulty viewing this video? Click here.
With files from Krissy Holmes.