Is the next star of Quebec cinema filming the first film of his career in Quebec alongside Gildor Roy?
The experienced actor and the producers of La petite et le vie, an adaptation of the novel by Marie-Renée Lavoie directed by Patrice Sauvé, whose film adaptation is currently in its final stages, are convinced: Yes.
Her name is Juliette Bharucha, she is 12 years old, comes from Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, a suburb of Quebec, and even if she has never set foot on a set, she surprises everyone among experienced people with her naturalness and professionalism actors such as Vincent-Guillaume Otis and Marilyn Castonguay.
She was both thoughtful and quick-witted and quickly felt comfortable. “She’s getting better every day. She is constantly improving,” praises Gildor Roy.
Gildor Roy next to Marilyn Castonguay and Vincent-Guillaume Otis during the filming of a scene from “The Little and the Old One”. Photo Stevens LeBlanc/Journal de Quebec
“He is pure talent. She has strong emotional intelligence,” adds producer Marc Biron.
His future? “I think she will be able to choose her roles. She also has a little Christie on her face,” predicts Gildor Roy, laughing with his young accomplice and new friend.
“I see you’re taking an Oscar.”
“It’s impressive,” says Juliette Bharucha when asked how she finds this first experience in the big leagues.
Until now, the young actress had only taken part in small shows at school, but she had already found a way to get noticed.
“Parents said about me that I was a person who would be on stage. Last year, in 6th grade, I was the narrator of my Christmas show, and a mother of a girl in my class said to me, “I see you holding an Oscar in your hands,” she says, immediately catching his enthusiasm moderates.
“We are still a long way away from that. We have to go through stages,” she explains under Gildor Roy’s amused and appreciative look.
Family photo before filming a scene from the film “The Little and the Old One”. Photo Stevens LeBlanc/Journal de Quebec
Convincing audition
Nearly 90 young girls auditioned for the role of Jo, a 10-year-old girl who befriends Mr. Roger, a gruff and lovable neighbor played by Gildor Roy.
From the very first attempts, the film’s makers were impressed by his innate sense of play and space.
“At her last audition, she felt like she was obstructing the camera and stepped back to make room for the other actor. “Patrice told us that he had seen professionals who lacked this awareness of light and camera,” says Marc Biron.
► The filming too The little one and the old man will end in Havana, Cuba in November. The film will be released in cinemas in 2024.