If3 — DECA: Wayne Burns’s Top 10 Canadian Films
With the release of his latest film, Longing, the Canadian actor looks back on the films that helped shape his appetite for cinema
WORDS BY MICHAEL ZARATHUS-COOK
Born and raised on the unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people in Truro, Nova Scotia, Wayne Burns is carving a space for himself in Canadian screens, stages, and scripts. That creative journey continues to extend on the international scene with his latest project Longing, directed by Savi Gabizon and starring the likes of Richard Gere, Suzanne Clément, and Diane Kruger. The plot unfolds after the sudden discovery by Gere’s Daniel Bloch that he is the father to a long-estranged son who has just died. Bloch’s journey to unravel the life and death of his son pinballs through the psychological labyrinth of the people who knew him, including Burns’s character Mikey. Longing is a Hollywood remake of an Israeli film by the same name and director, which was released in 2017, the same year that Burns was named “Breakthrough Theatre Artist” by NOW Magazine. The trajectories of his careers in film, theatre, and as a writer come together to reveal an artistry deeply inspired by the sharp edges of storytelling and characters that embody more than what meets the eye.
Wayne Burns — Cannopy asked me to compile a list of my top ten favourite Canadian films in anticipation of my latest film, Longing, where I’m featured opposite Golden Globe® Winner, Richard Gere. I had a difficult time ranking these, so here they are in no particular order. I have a penchant for darkness, intensity, and stories about people who exist on the edges of society. These films continue to influence my performance style and the projects I gravitate towards.
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