CUPE 391 unleashed!

VANCOUVER– CUPE 391 invites you to a sneak preview of their comedy feature film, “Mistress Superior”. Check out the film this Sunday, January 10 at Pacific Cinematheque at 1131 Howe Street (between Helmcken and Davie Street) at 12:30PM and 2:30PM.

The Local would like to invite all CUPE members to this free screening. The event is like a Hollywood sneak preview – the filmmakers’ opportunity to gauge audience reaction before the final cut.

“We want to see where the audience laughs,” says David Philip, the writer and brainchild behind this first feature length comedy produced by a CUPE local. The idea for the film came out of the 2007 Strike, during which CUPE 391 members used film to tell their story, and realized how much they enjoyed the process.

David wrote the script with fellow CUPE 391 members in mind and asked them afterwards to take on the various roles. The story comes from “the deepest depths” of David’s imagination and tells the story of Mistress Superior, a dominatrix who has lost her mean streak.

It took four to five months to write and a year and a half to film, since filming was all done on Sundays. David Philip and honourary CUPE 391 member Sloan Garrett edited the film.

More than 40 CUPE 391 members and special guests acted in this comedy. Members also contributed in many other ways – from acting to graphic design – even creating three original songs.

“The dedication of my fellow CUPE 391 members is amazing and humbling,” says David. “This showing is also a celebration and thanks for the many weekends they gave up to make this movie. We profusely thank their families as well.”

The film has a complex plot and promises to be very funny. “Mistress Superior” is unabashedly Vancouver, B.C. and is full of local references. In fact, leaky condos are “almost one of the characters in the film.”

David hopes to do a final edit by mid-March and plans to enter the film in both the Toronto and Vancouver Film Festivals, as well as at Cannes.

“The really thrilling part is having this fantastic group of CUPE 391 members who are now eager to do another project,” says David.

FLASH: The rumour mill has it that CUPE 391 president Alexandra Youngberg demanded a feature role, but had to settle for a cameo appearance. (Look for her as Sister Servitude.)

Please note: Adults only. This film is not suitable for children. Film contains religious satire that may be offensive to some viewers.

To reserve your free tickets, go to www.mistresssuperior.com.

View poster for more information.

cope491