‘Denise sans Denis’: Casting call for Churchillians in May

Passengers prepare to board a train Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024, in Churchill, Manitoba. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)

Churchillians – a film shoot is coming to your town, and the crews are looking for actors and actresses.

A French-language feature film, Denise sans Denis, is planning to film at Churchill, Man., during the weekend of May 16 and 17.

“Denise has spent basically her entire life taking care of everyone else around her,” the film’s background casting director, Derek James Trapp, told CTV News. “She is a devoted school principal, she is the glue – essentially holding together a crumbling ecosystem of neediness around her.

“Long story short, Denise wants to be free, live the years she (has) left on her own terms instead of always putting other people first.”

However, something always happens to Denise – preventing her from “escaping her own life,” Trapp said. “It’s kind of like a dark comedy, I guess you could say.”

Written by Winnipegger Paul Ruban, the film is looking for actors and actresses who can be in the background, acting as passengers and tourists in Churchill.

Trapp is looking for 16 people in total – eight new people each day, or having eight of the same people for both days.

Adults are preferred; however, anyone over the age of 16 is also acceptable. The casting is open for all genders and ethnicities.

In addition, Trapp is also looking for people who can bring a “festive” Halloween costume for a “fun” type scene on May 17.

Applicants should be available for the full day, as the filming can go 12 to 13 hours, Trapp said.

He is asking applicants to bring an open and positive mindset.

“It’s obviously a new role for a lot of people to try it out, so showing up a few minutes early, coming prepared for a long day.

“Having a positive attitude helps a lot because it can be cold, warm or different conditions in weather, the days can be tiring, so just making the best of it.”

Interested applicants are asked to provide the following information to Trapp by email ([e-mail]):

• Name;
• Cell phone number;
• Age;
• Availability for May 16 and 17, and;
• Recent picture of themselves.

In addition, applicants interested in the Halloween costume day on May 17 are asked to provide a photo of themselves in the costume.