Sorry to get your hopes up. It won鈥檛 be Johnny Depp but Victoria鈥檚 best known impersonator of the hunky Hollywood superstar you鈥檒l find bumping into actors, directors and film buffs here for the Victoria Film Festival that starts unspooling today.
It鈥檚 a given special guests such as John Landis and Linda Blair will be mobbed during this year鈥檚 festival, of course.
Heck, I鈥檓 guessing even guys like Michael Peterson and his cast from Lloyd the Conquerer might even by mobbed by participants in Victoria鈥檚 local LARP (Live Action Role Playing) scene that they so playfully pay homage to in that festival flick.
But when Denise Pearson, as Depp, and a Marilyn Monroe lookalike will join local songstress Maria Manna to create their own mob scene at Bay Centre Saturday at 2:30, it will be for a good reason.
Film commissioner Kathleen Gilbert and her colleagues at the Vancouver Island South Film and Media Commission were inspired by a flash mob at last year鈥檚 Victoria Film Festival, so they thought they鈥檇 stage one of their own this year.
鈥淎ll I can say from a economic perspective is 鈥楬ooray for Hollywood!鈥濃�� Gilbert said, explaining why 35 students from Vic High鈥檚 performing arts progam will join Manna, attired in an Oscar-worthy gown, as she breaks into that showbiz anthem.
The event, which should take about 15 minutes, is to draw attention to the film commission鈥檚 major fundraiser 鈥� its upcoming Oscar Viewing gala at Westin Bear Mountain.
鈥淲e wanted people to think about buying a ticket to our Gala as a Valentines gift for their sweetie,鈥� she said.
You can get more details at filmvictoria.com.
