Homegrown movie Talent headed to city theatre

Lucas Frison’s floor-hockey film has scored a theatrical run. It shows for a week at the Rainbow Cinema in Saskatoon starting Feb. 16. It has already been shown in Regina.

Talent made it into several film festivals in the past year, but there’s nothing like a theatrical release.

“It’s extremely important,” says Frison, the film’s co-writer, director and co-producer.

“It’s a Saskatchewan-made product through and through and — as most people know — you almost never see any Canadian movies get any kind of theatrical release.”

Talent focuses on Kaylee, a high school senior who stages a floor-hockey fundraiser to break the world record for the longest game.

The underdog storyline is what gives Talent its heart — it tells a story people can identify with.

“It’s about being able to take those negative responses and persevering, not giving up and still finding an avenue to be involved in something you love,” says Frison.

The cast features Natalie Lazarou, Andrew Valdes, Bernadette Mullen and Shawn Koch. Elias England co-wrote the film with Frison while Elise Beaudry-Ferland co-produced.

Lazarou, who was raised in Regina, shines in the role of Kaylee. Frison had seen her in Basic Needs, another Saskatchewan-produced film.

“I thought she was great in that movie. She definitely carries our film. She carries the funny moments, she carries the sports moments, she carries the more serious moments.”

Talent was named best feature film at the 2017 Saskatchewan Independent Film Awards.

The soundtrack includes the likes of the Sheepdogs, Bad Comrade and the Dead South.

“It was made entirely with Saskatchewan people behind the camera and in front of it,” said Frison.

“As far as the soundtrack goes, we definitely wanted to stay in tune with that.”

And as for the world record attempt, the Talent cast played floor hockey for 62 hours straight to break the world record.