Screen scene: Local film news

GET BUSY: In this still from Wings of Life, an Africanized honeybee collects pollen from an Icelandic poppy. The Weaverville Public Library screens the documentary on Friday, April 22. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

• Paid extras are needed for the feature Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, which begins filming in Sylva in late April. Written and directed by Martin McDonagh (In Bruges; Seven Psychopaths), the film tells the story of Mildred Hayes (played by Frances McDormand), a woman in her early 50s who goes to war against her local police force upon deeming them too inept to solve the murder of her daughter. The dark comedy also stars Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes and Peter Dinklage.

The casting call seeks “all types, sizes and shapes, all ethnicities, men, women and children, ages 0 to 70s.” Those interested in the opportunity should email their name, age, date of birth (if under 18), a recent color headshot (emailed as a .jpg attachment), height, weight, phone number(s), email address and clothing sizes (pants, shirt, jacket and shoe for men; pants, dress, skirt, blouse and shoe for women). Applicants should also include (as a .jpg attachment) a recent side view picture of their drivable car or truck for potential use in a scene, with details on the year, make, model and color. Applicants should note their city and state of residence, occupation, pets owned and previous experience as an extra. Send to billboardextras@gmail.com.

UNC Asheville hosts a screening of Pay It No Mind: The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson on Tuesday, April 19, at 6 p.m. The documentary — shown in Highsmith Union room 222 — focuses on Johnson, a black transgender activist, who was an instigator of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City that helped spark the gay liberation movement. A discussion led by UNCA staff and students will follow the 54-minute film. Free and open to the public. msp.unca.edu

• As part of the Weaverville Public Library’s celebration of Pollinator Month, the documentary Wings of Life will be screened on Friday, April 22, at 4 p.m. Narrated by Meryl Streep, the 77-minute 2013 film gets close up in the lives of butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers, and examines how a third of the world’s food supply depends on these increasingly threatened creatures. Free and open to the public. avl.mx/1yc

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About Edwin Arnaudin
Edwin Arnaudin is a staff writer for Mountain Xpress. He also reviews films for ashevillemovies.com and is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association (SEFCA) and North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA). Follow me @EdwinArnaudin

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