To Be Romeo & Juliet

Documentary, 103 minutes, 2008

To Be Romeo & Juliet accompanies actors as they prepare to portray Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers in three different stage productions in three different countries. Emotional meltdowns, twisted ankles and cast mutinies are all part of what it takes to be Romeo and Juliet at a youth summer camp production in Guelph, Canada, an amateur production in Reading, England, and a professional production at the Chilean National Theatre.

Focusing on the lead actors, To Be Romeo & Juliet compares these three very different productions in terms of interpretation and process, and creates a vivid record of these individuals transforming themselves into the timeless, tragic lovers Romeo and Juliet. The result is a lively and evocative examination of theatre, acting, and love.

Cast: The film features the cast, director and crew of three stage productions of Romeo and Juliet: First Light Youth Theatre (Guelph, Canada), Progress Theatre (amateur production in Reading, England) and the Chilean National Theatre (Santiago, Chile). Principal participants include: Ricardo Fernandez, Maria Jose Parga, Fernando Gonzalez, Rebecca Pitt, and Ben Ashton.

Download: To Be Romeo & Juliet trailer (Quicktime 28MB)

"This film is a joyous experience, not just in its exploration of theatre,
but of that old barnacle human nature."
Ruth Hessey - Time Out Sydney

"Raw, revealing....sets the standard for arts documentary."
Nicholas Pichard - Sydney Arts Journal

"An illuminating peek backstage.... spending 100 minutes
with the anxieties of these young actors would move stone."
Lisa Greenaway - arts website The Program

“A fascinating journey for lovers of theatre, this engrossing documentary takes us from the
drama of auditions to the thrill of opening night. The real drama is backstage of course, in
the form of emotional meltdowns, ego trips, twisted ankles and cast mutinies. Yet as the
charismatic actors transform themselves into the timeless, tragic lovers, the film becomes
about something more than theatre, revealing our very attitude to love itself. From the nervous
first kiss of adolescent actors to the sensual hiphop acrobatics of seasoned professionals,
this is Romeo & Juliet as you've never seen it before.”
Program of Possible Worlds Film Festival

**** "A raw, uncompromising look behind the scenes....capturing some incredibly
intimate moments along the way."
Shane Hnetka, The Prairie Dog (Regina, Canada)

Produced by Zima Junction Productions for SCN and Book Television. Made with the support of Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund, Rogers Documentary Fund, SaskFilm, Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative, JobStart/Futureskills, Saskatchewan Employment Tax Credit.

Distributed by Moving Images Distribution