JACK airs Sunday, March 10 at 8 PM on CBC Television
The highly-anticipated biopic JACK tells the inspirational story of the late New Democratic Party Leader, Jack Layton, Sunday, March 10 at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC Television. JACK captures the life and times of the late politician, whose historic election campaign while battling cancer captured the attention of the nation.
JACK stars veteran actor and Gemini-nominee Rick Roberts (Still, Three Days to Jonestown, This Is Wonderland) as Jack Layton. Actress, director, musician and CBC radio host Sook-Yin Lee (Toronto Stories, Shortbus) plays the role of Layton’s wife and NDP Member of Parliament, Olivia Chow. The film delves into the captivating love story between Layton and Chow and offers viewers a look inside the public and personal life of the famed politician. It follows the couple through their shared life in Toronto municipal politics from 1980-1990, onto the national stage in the 2000’s, and up to the last federal election campaign in 2011, compounded by his tragic passing only weeks later from cancer. It depicts their political fights, victories and failures as they rose to prominence, all whilst deepening their personal connection to each other.
VIDEO: Sook-Yin Lee opens up about the movie and her role: http://youtu.be/qbnicpNFAv4
Joining Rick Roberts and Sook-Yin Lee are Wendy Crewson (Revenge), Erin Karpluk (Being Erica), Zachary Bennett (Road to Avonlea), Joel Keller (Blue Murder), Judah Katz (Cra$h & Burn), Victoria Snow (Cra$h & Burn) and Diana Ha (The X-Files).
JACK was created by Pier 21 Films Ltd. and Eagle Vision Inc. in association with CBC. The script was written by Andrew Wreggitt (Mayerthorpe, Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II) and the film was directed by Jeff Woolnough (Copper, Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II). Executive Producers are Laszlo Barna (Pier 21 Films), Lisa Meeches (Eagle Vision) and Kyle Irving (Eagle Vision).
For more behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive content, visit CBC LIVE at cbc.ca/live. Follow CBC Live on Twitter at twitter.com/cbclive and on Facebook at facebook.com/cbclive.
About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada’s national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus five languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.
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