Mr. Rice's Secret (2000)

Interesting facts

• Filmed in: British Columbia

Mr. Rice's Secret is a 1999 Canadian family drama film directed by Nicholas Kendall, an instructor at Capilano University in Vancouver. It was written by J. H. Wyman and stars David Bowie as the title character, a mysterious man who leaves after death a series of clues to a 12-year-old boy with cancer, to help him appreciate life. The production was filmed in 1998 and released in 2000.

Production

Most of it was filmed in New Westminster, in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

Peter O'Toole was originally considered for the role of Rice, but negotiations fell through and the role went to Bowie, who enjoyed reading the script. Recording had begun before Bowie was cast, and the crew were amazed that he would be in the film. The filming location was kept secret so that Bowie would not be disturbed.

Producer Colleen Hardwick, who had idolised Bowie as a schoolgirl, said she "about died" to hear him make the phonecall to accept the role. She too recalled how he mixed with all members of the cast and crew. Hardwick likened Rice's advice to Owen with how Bowie accepted his own imminent death from cancer in January 2016.

The film was originally known as Exhuming Mr. Rice. It was released on DVD in Region 1 in September 2001 and Region 2 that November.

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