Made redundant because of artificial intelligence, evicted and now living in her car, a single woman in her fifties finds support from a group of seniors in Langford B次元官网网址� this actually is the premise for a short film, set in the near future, readying itself to shoot in the city next spring.
Behind the film B次元官网网址楽enior DiscountB次元官网网址�, described as a short comedy about growing old in a small town, are friends Jessica Ruth Freedman, an executive producer living in Sooke, and Amy King, writer, director, originally from Langford.
Funded by Telus Storyhive and Creative BC, the film is inspired by KingB次元官网网址檚 experience of moving back to Greater Victoria after the COVID-19 pandemic. Plans for the film began after the pair met in an acting class.
"We were commenting at the time on how inflation and the cost of living has just been climbing since the pandemic," said Freedman. "We both have senior parents, and we know how difficult it's becoming for people, even of our age in our forties, and younger, to afford housing."
Pre-production of the film has begun, with the pair filming bonus content, interviewing seniors who have retired or are on the cusp of retiring. They are also speaking to young people and financial planners on the topic of growing old in a small town.
Freedman says the material may be added to the movie, or shown alongside it.
B次元官网网址淭here's some interesting contrasts,B次元官网网址� said Freedman. B次元官网网址淭here are people who've been saving for retirement since their twenties, versus people who are like, B次元官网网址極h, crap, I gotta figure out how to retire nowB次元官网网址�.B次元官网网址�
There are also plans to launch a public survey, to allow the local community to voice their concerns and comments about retirement, inflation and the cost of living.
Shooting of B次元官网网址楽enior DiscountB次元官网网址� is expected to begin in the spring of 2025, with Langford and parts of Sooke earmarked as filming locations.
The duo is 100 per cent committed to hiring cast and crew from Vancouver Island, says Freedman, who adds there will be opportunities for people interested in the film industry to volunteer.
B次元官网网址淧roduction in the film and TV industry is down about 45 per cent after the recent actor and crew strikes. So the industry is really suffering,B次元官网网址� said Freedman, who hopes the short film will provide a welcome boost for Vancouver Island.
Once completed, the film will be screened locally in 2025 and on YouTube. Freedman also plans to submit B次元官网网址楽enior DiscountB次元官网网址� to film festivals and has hopes it will be picked up for wider distribution.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 our goal together to create Canadian and specifically local content, because we have great stories that could be sold all over the world,B次元官网网址� she said.
To follow the progress of the film, visit the Senior Discount Instagram page: instagram.com/seniordiscountfilm.
