Adam Johnson
Northern News Services
Monday, April 23, 2007

IQALUIT - Last week, Nunavut got a taste of Hollywood - a taste that may turn into an incredible opportunity for one yet-to-be-discovered Inuk actress.

Ralph Fiennes: Looking for a lady

Hollywood actor Ralph Fiennes was in Iqaluit last Tuesday to seek out a female Inuk lead for his upcoming directorial debut, Snow Country.

CBC reported Fiennes planned to visit Iqaluit and Iglulik to find an appropriate actress to play Alma, the film's main character, as well as casting a wide net around the North.

"She's 17, 18 in the story, but she could be played by someone a bit older," he said in the CBC report.

Much of the pre-casting for the film will be handled by Nunavut Film and the Ajjiit Media Association, which will run a booth at the Nunavut Trade Show in Iqaluit on May 3.

"At the booth we will be doing video interviews for young female Inuks aged 17-20 and maybe a bit older who would like to try out for the role," said Ajjiit executive director Charlotte DeWolff.

The interviews will then be sent to Fiennes and the film's casting director for consideration before the official casting call begins.

DeWolff stressed that extensive acting experience was not necessary, and Inuit from around the country were welcome to submit bios and short video interviews.

"We are searching for Alma," she said. "We know that she can be found somewhere in Nunavut."

DeWolff, who spoke with Fiennes during his visit, said the Oscar-nominated star of The English Patient and Schindler's List was scouring the North out of a desire for "authenticity."

The film is a love story set in the 1950s, following Alma as she returns to the Arctic from a Winnipeg convent, having lost her language and culture.

"It's a beautiful movie," said casting director Deirdre Bowen, "It's a true celebration of the North. Until we can find our Alma, we really can't move."