Local Natives audition for film

The casting director for “Winter In the Blood,” a feature-length film that was shot in Havre and surrounding areas, came back to town Wednesday to watch auditions for another movie.

Rene Haynes specializes in finding and casting Native Americans in films and has done casting work for films like “The Twilight Saga” and “Dances With Wolves.”

She just finished a Montana tour to find Native American actors for the upcoming production of “The Revenant.”

“The Revenant” is going to be based on a novel of the same name by Michael Punke. The story is a tale of revenge in 1823. The main character, Hugh Glass, joins the Rocky Mountain Fur Company and ventures into the uncharted territories of the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska. Glass is mauled by a bear and then left to die by his colleagues, who take his weapons and tools as Indians approach their camp.

Glass fights to survive and vows to take his revenge on the men who betrayed him.

The film is to be shot in western Canada beginning in September.

Haynes met with around 21 people who were trying out for the roles at the Old Post Office in Havre. Haynes was looking for Native American teen boys age 12 to 16, men late-30s to mid-50s and women late-20s to mid-30s.

“She said she had some really good interviews and tapings from the audition,” said Erica Farmer, who owns the Old Post Office.

Farmer said the roles Haynes was trying to fill were all speaking roles.

“They were very interested in Native Americans who had experience in riding horses,” Farmer said. “In the adults, they were looking for that rugged, weathered look.”

Haynes was unavailable for comment.

She traveled to Polson Aug. 4 and Hardin Friday.