Parks Canada rejects film over native gang
First Nations character leads criminal gang
A movie production team was denied permission to shoot in the Rocky Mountain national parks after Parks Canada staff learned the film’s plot involved an indigenous gang leader.
“They expressed a real concern that this was not something they would favour,” said Mark Voyce, location manager for a film project that had planned to start shooting later this month.
Voyce is working for Michael Shamberg, a film producer whose past credits include Erin Brockovich, A Fish Called Wanda, Garden State and Gattaca.
Shamberg is currently working on a project called Hard Powder, a crime drama set in a Colorado ski town.
Liam Neeson is to play a snowplow operator whose son is murdered by a local drug kingpin. He then seeks to dismantle the cartel, but his efforts spark a turf war involving a First Nations gang boss, played by First Nations actor Tom Jackson.
Director Hans Petter Moland had hoped to shoot scenes in the Banff area.
“He was enamoured of the beauty of the Columbia Icefield,” Voyce said. “He was very stubborn in insisting that if we were going to come here, that it was to shoot parts of these films in the national park.”
Voyce said the team began the application process with Parks Canada in December. He said he believed that only a few details needed to be cleared up. Then, late last week, came a phone call.
“They phoned and asked, ‘Is the leader of the rival gang in this picture First Nations?’ We said yes. That became an obvious last nail in the coffin for us.
On Monday, Voyce received a letter from Parks Canada listing eight requirements, including the possible need for an environmental assessment.
“We’re looking to start filming on March 20 and can’t really push our schedule,” he said. “That, frankly, is a death blow for us.”
In an email, Parks Canada confirmed it has concerns over the script.
“In addition to some administrative details and outstanding documentation, Parks Canada’s commitment to reconciliation and respect for indigenous peoples was an important factor in
THEY PHONED AND ASKED, ‘IS THE LEADER OF THE RIVAL GANG IN THIS PICTURE FIRST NATIONS?’
the agency’s final decision on this matter” said the response from spokeswoman Meaghan Bradley.
“Parks Canada maintains the right to refuse applications that are not in line with Parks Canada’s mandate or operational priorities.”
The decision was made despite a letter of support from Jackson.
“As a consultant to this production, I have taken a strong stance to ensure that the humility and integrity of First Nation roles do not cross the line of disrespect to my culture. I don’t feel my culture is insulted even slightly by the script,” he wrote.