A new short filmed in Sooke and Langford aims to rally support for land preservation and provide opportunities for Indigenous actors.
Written and produced (plus costumes designed) by Colwood resident Valerie Frances Oliver, Mary Two Bears tells the story of a peaceful northern Indigenous reserve, focusing on a small family preserving their traditional lifestyle that must defend itself as development encroaches on their land and natural resources.
Oliver, a Metis woman originally from Ontario, has been an actress for almost 12 years, appearing in a couple of short films, but this is her first time leading a production. Oliver wrote the script years ago and learned some of the ropes during her acting roles – she also teamed up with Victoria-based director Sarah Nicole Faucher to help film the movie in Langford and Sooke Potholes over May long weekend.
While Oliver wore a number of different hats during the production (including a black cowboy hat), she said “the community really came together” to help with the production.
Langford-based Hulitan Family & Community Services Society offered up Big House as a filming location and Colwood-based Lu’ma Native Housing Society allowed the crew to use the conference room.
Oliver also wanted to help Indigenous actors get their foot in the door and earn some experience on camera.
“That’s the thing with acting, it’s kind of feast or famine. It’s like the starving artists, always there’s highs and lows. Sometimes you’re working a lot. Then, other times, you might have a few months between. So it’s good to have more experience.”
Oliver has had roles in front of the camera in short films like Kiri and the Girl, which was picked up by Apple TV, and Bones of Crows, a feature-length film which is currently in cinemas, and is set to be adapted into a limited television series by CBC. Networking is key, said Oliver, but she also said there’s more willingness to produce Indigenous stories.
“I think it’s becoming more and more prevalent, which is a good thing. Our stories need to be told, our legends.”
READ MORE: Bones of Crows to be shown at three locations in Greater Victoria
Filming is finished on Mary Two Bears and is now being edited over the summer and then will be sent to festivals, with Oliver hoping there’ll be a couple of local screenings later.
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