From Anzac to California:Actress draws from life experiences

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"They say, 'life is a stage.' But, it's not like that for me. I'm considered an actress, but I don't act everyday, said Tantoo Cardinal, explaining the career she has nutured for 15 years.

"I live real experiences and feel real emotions. So, I try apply this to my acting ? acting is a translation of real life, and life is not lived on a stage."

Cardinal has won the Best Actress Award at the 13th Annual Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association (AMPIA) presentations for her lead role in the movie 'Loyalties'.

Now at the age of 38 the Fort McMurray-born Metis actress has achieved an impressive list of film, television, theatre and radio credits.

But she makes no bones about acting and like the character she plays, her feet stand firmly placed in reality.

"It's hard, demanding work. You long for security and a pay check every week . . . you could be hoping for a part and somebody else will get it. I'd probably be miserable if I was used to things like VCRs and color TVs. But, I'm not used to a lifestyle like that," she smiles.

"Sometimes I see kids with a strong desire to act. But, all they see is the money, glamor and fame . . . it doesn't work like that. You've got to give up all of that before you can get it."

In an interview at her Edmonton home, Cardinal was busily packing for a trip to Montana, where she has landed a part in a new movie "War Party."

However, she almost lost the part because the producers of Hemdle Productions film wanted a popular non-Native actor to play the lead role of her son. They then reasoned that the son would need a non-Native mother to explain his light complexion.

She explains "the producers wanted Timothy Hutton or one of the (Martin) Sheen boys to play the lead role. But, the director wanted an Indian in the part."

The producers agreed with director, Frank Roddam, because of his other box office smashes such as the "Lord of Discipline."

War Party is a story set on a reserve that joins forces with a nearby town, to save the community from becoming a ghost town.

They fear a major highway being built will kill the town. This unites the Indian and town communities who decide to re-enact a famous battle, hoping to attract tourists.

Cardinal says it's a "fast paced" movie with a great ending. But, you'll have to wait for it in theatres.

Cardinal is really impressed with the film's script and writer, Spencer Eastmen. "He really knows what the Indian community is like. He seems to know how people talk or react to different situations. Some writers will try make up these things, especially if they're dealing with another culture they're not familiar with. Sometimes you can have the dialogue changed. Other times you have to do your damnest to make the most of it."

This problem didn't arise in her best-known role as Rosanne in Loyalties.

"When I saw the script, it was like I'd been preparing for it all of my life. I've seen most of the problems Rosanne had to deal with," she explains, talking about the character as though she was a close friend. "It was nothing new to me."

But Cardinal hesitates to call the movie as others have, her "big break."

"It's been a real stand out for me, as far as exposure to the rest of the world goes. But, all my parts have been a 'big break.' The more work I did; the more exposure I got. It all adds up," says Cardinal, sipping a cup of tea.

"So when a director is looking for an Indian actress, I become that person," she shrugs.

Cardinal didn't attend acting school, but says each role she received was an "opportunity to learn more and gain experience."

And, the roles have slowly improved since her career began in 1971 when Jeff Howard of the Alberta Native Communications Society gave her that first 'break' playing roles in community service films.

Her latest acting role was a small part in a remake of Gunsmoke filmed in May near Calgary. Cardinal has also just returned form Toronto, where she helped direct workshop videos on discriminatin in the work place.

"Directing gives you another perspective. Actors given themselves a lot of extra problems they don't need, worrying about lines and where the camera is. But, it's real not as complicated as most actors think. You have to trust your director and technical crew," she says.

Writing is another craft Cardinal is interested in, however, she doesn't feel her acting schedule permits it. "This life of constantly being on the road is just not conductive to writing. Your environment is always changing and you never know where you're going to be from one week to the next. It's too distracting and you never really get a chance to concentrate or devote the time writing takes."

Cardinal will be moving to California with her 2-year old son Clifford after she makes War Party. She admits it's difficult to raise a child on the road. But, she wouldn't have it any other way for now because she worries about him when they're apart.

Cardinal carefully packs collection of reviews and admits she contemplated retirement . . . once. "At this moment, no sirree. I don't know where it's going. But, the scripts are getting stronger and stronger. And, the work is getting more substance to it. Maybe I'll direct or write, but I'll never get out of the business completely," says Cardinal as she looks down on her collection of reviews and fan letters.