Girls in Gils is a tribute to the Polar Bear Ladies’ Ski Group which has played a pivotal part in the Sun Peaks skiing, volunteering, and social lifestyle for decades.
Our short film involves a daring challenge where several members of the group come together to support one of their own in achieving her dream. A true story, reflecting the essence of this incredibly supportive skiing sisterhood as well as the sensational scenery of Sun Peaks Resort, where we all live during the winter.
It all started during the interval of last year’s film festival when Dawn Matte asked me if I would come on board as writer and co-producer. After about 10 seconds hesitation, I said yes, although of course I had never written a screenplay before!
Once I had the script written, it was time to cast the actors from among the huge Polar Bear community as well as one or two extras. I say ‘cast’, although it was more like conscription! You know that saying - you’ve been volun-told. First to come on board were Cindie Hryhirchuk (“Care Bear”), Julie Kimmel (“Bubbly Bear”) and Edit Pal (“Sunny Bear”), all members of the Polar Bear Ladies Ski Group. Dawn is “Mamma Bear” and I am “Curly Bear” by the way.
I had trouble finding my “Baby Bear”, but one day while skiing with the gals, I spotted Pippa Crane, a fellow Polar Bear across the piste, skied straight over and said “Would you like to be in a movie?” to which she said “Yes!!” When I explained the challenge involved - a powder adventure in the Sun Peaks sidecountry - she qualified her yes with: “So long as you all look after me”. So, when you watch the film, you will see that it is indeed an authentic true story.
Back to the movie-making process: As co-producer, Dawn orchestrated and oversaw the family-style filming, roping in her son Josh and husband Dan as well as our good friend Harold Richins. Later, as editor of all the footage, Dawn painstakingly pawed through it all, finessing every detail. Running various cuts by me, she gradually started getting it all into shape, adding a few special effects, honing the continuity, sourcing music etc. You would not believe how much goes into making a 10 minute movie!
Sun Peaks provided the breathtaking backdrops and scintillating scenery, bathing the ski action footage in glorious sunshine on our filming days - and showing us how lucky we all are to live here.
With the Attenborough-style narration, this movie is a sort of mountain mock-umentary full of Polar puns, illustrating how fun-loving our ski group is. I hope you all enjoy watching Girls in Gils - and, by the way, there were no actual Polar Bears harmed in the making of this film:
- although Josh Matte, our daring drone operator, almost lost a finger during a malfunction!
Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4sW0cOJFhU
https://www.sunpeaksresort.com/
https://www.artzonesunpeaks.com/
Shot Ski made by Kelly Brown, winner of the 2023 Locals Filmmakers Contest
