SEPTEMBER 25, 2019
News Advertiser PAGE 15
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Alberta Movie Casts Hollywood and Edmonton Talent They Who Surround Us begins filming in Vegreville on Sept. 18, 2019
Troy Ruptash Photographed by Justin Bettman for The Wrap.
Sandra Coley Publicist – They Who Surround Us
(Vegreville, AB) They Who Surround Us, a full-length feature movie which begins filming in Vegreville, Alberta, Canada and surrounding area on Sept. 18, 2019, has announced several key cast members. Playing the role of Natalia is Ali Liebert, a Canadian Screen and Leo Award winner (Best Actress in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series for her portrayal of Betty McRae in Reelz / Global TV’s Bomb Girls). Liebert most recently guest-starred on BH90210 reboot, had a supporting role in the hit feature film, WONDER opposite Jacob Tremblay and Julia Roberts and starred in the award-winning independent feature, the DEVOUT. In 2014, the Hollywood Reporter named her on the “Next Generation 15 Hottest Canadian Talents under 35 list. Making his film debut as Mykola, is eight-
year-old Daniel Mazepa of Edmonton. Mazepa is in grade 3 at St. Matthew Elementary School and is active in Ukrainian arts programs. He is fluent in English and Ukrainian and has been dancing and singing since a young age. This is his first professional acting job. Los Angeles-based writer and director, Troy Ruptash, who was born and raised in Vegreville, will play the lead role of Roman. They Who Surround Us Cast and Crew Director/Writer: Troy Ruptash Producer: Rosanne Milliken Production Company: Gynormous Pictures / Illustratio Co-producers: Scott Bailey, Sandy Wilde Executive Producers: Grant Wilde, Jason Kropp, Nathan Kropp, Tim Nawrot, Wil Hergot Cinematographer: Kamal Derkaoui Roman: Troy Ruptash (Mad Men, CSI, The Young Pope, General Hospital) Natalia: Ali Liebert (Bomb Girls, BH90210) Mykola: Daniel Mazepa
Daniel Mazepa
CANCEL CULTURE - CONTINUED from PAGE 4 people accountable to mob mentality and an attack on free speech? People are quick to judge and as soon as someone doesn’t agree with a point of view, it’s time to attack. We have seen this first hand. Years ago, we received a number of threats of boycott, simply because we had a contributing writer with views that certain businesses did not agree with. Many people know all too well that free speech in a small community is somewhat of an illusion. Canadian Professor of psycholog y Jordan Peterson has become
somewhat of a poster boy for cancel culture. Other recent examples would be Kevin Hart as Oscar host, Trumpbranded products at Nordstroms and ironically the 2019 Edmonton Pride parade. The song ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’ was also “cancelled” and removed from rotation on many radio stations when some were offended by the lyrics. If this continues, we will have to cancel Christmas, Hanukkah, Ramadan and almost any other event that might offend someone (or anyone). We will need
to cancel academic achievements because it makes some feel inadequate and at the same time, there will be no sports awards or scholarships because those without the same abilities will feel left out. Gone are the days where people could disagree, have a healthy debate and live with differences. Maybe it is time to CANCEL cancel culture and be a little less outraged. Tell me what you think. Email me at abletters@ newsadvertiser.com
Ali Liebert (Kyle Cassie/Photo)
Casting for several other roles will be announced in the forthcoming week. About the movie: From the forests of Ukraine, where the UPA struggles to keep the Ukrainian identity alive to the rich farmland of the Canadian Prairies, They Who Surround Us
is a story of inter-generational trauma, where the past haunts a young Alberta farmer who is dealing with incredible grief after the sudden loss of a loved one. Information can be found on the They Who Surround Us website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages.
