Montreal-based EquinoxeProductions begins principal photography May 27 on A Sunday In Kigali, a romantic drama set against the backdrop of theRwandan genocide. Directed by Robert Favreau and produced by Lyse Lafontaineand Michael Mosca, the $5.6m (C$7m) film shoots in Kigali and in surroundinglocations for 37 days. Equinoxe Films will handle foreign sales and distributein Canada.

Based on the novel "A Sundayat the Pool in Kigali" by Quebec journalist Gil Courtemanche, who collaboratedwith Favreau on the screenplay, the story has drawn comparisons with the workof Graham Greene for its depiction of a dissipated foreign correspondent inlove with a local woman. In this case, the young woman is a Hutu mistaken for aTutsi, the two tribes at the heart of the conflict. The swimming pool at aluxury Kigali hotel is the gathering spot for expatriates, Rwandan officials,businessmen, prostitutes and hotel employees in essence, a microcosm of theconflicted nation.

Veteran Quebecois actor LucPicard plays the lead role of French journalist Valcourt alongside FatouN,Diaye, the Senegalese star of Nha Fala, the winner of the Laterna Magica prize at Venice in 2002. Other castmembers include Celine Bonnier, Alexis Martin, Jean Fayolle, Makka Kotto andMireille Metullus.

The film is being producedwith the financial participation of Telefilm Canada, SODEC (La Societe deDeveloppement des entreprises culturelles), The Canadian Television Fund, LaSociete Radio Canada, The Harold Greenberg Fund, The Quebec Film and Tax CreditProgramme and the Canadian Film and Tax Credit Program.

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