Local area filmmaker Floyd Favel is finally ready to start filming an indigenous film that has been in the works for a number of years.
The project is Sweet Cherry Wine, and according to a news release issued this week, filming will take place on the Poundmaker First Nation from July 12 until July 17.
The story, written by Favel, is set in the 1950s, as recounted in the present day by an elderly Cree woman as she spends her final days in hospital.
“The story speaks of the racism that traumatized indigenous people of this province for decades, but also speaks to the beauty and the eloquence of Cree culture as it struggled during a dark time in Canadian history,” the news release states.
Favel’s production company, Miyawata Films, is producing Sweet Cherry Wine, and Poundmaker First Nation is co-producing.
Favel, who has both producer and director credits for the film, had been looking to get the movie produced for a number of years.
Back in 2013 and 2014, he had been in partnership with Montreal-based producers to try and get the story onto the silver screen.
They were able to announce a number of funding commitments from Creative Saskatchewan and the Canadian Media Fund, but in the end the full financing they needed never did come together.
Now, the film project is ready to roll, but there have been changes. The other partners have departed and Favel is now going it alone, independently.
The funding structure is also different from before, with contributions coming from SaskCulture and Saskatchewan Arts Board.
While there have been a multitude of changes behind the scenes with the production, in the end Favel says it will be the same film.
“This is an indigenous film, by and about indigenous people and control by indigenous people,” Favel said in a news release.
“It is shot in an atmosphere and creative structure that is indigenous.”
Some members of the cast and crew have been announced. Algonquin actress Emilie Monnet and Kanai actor Justin Many Fingers have been cast, as has Aidan Tootoosis. Disa Tootoosis from Poundmaker will do the costume design and the production design is by Daphie Pooyak of Sweetgrass First Nation. Peter Brass from Peepeekesis First Nation will be the director of photography.
The intention is for the historical scenes to be shot this summer. The indoor scenes set in the present day will be shot later on this fall and in early winter.
