Movie featuring Sask.-born makeup artist's work heads to prestigious Cannes Film Festival

Being on a feature film crew was already a dream come true for makeup artist Robin Cote. But having the film premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in France is above and beyond what she imagined. 

"My mind is blown. I was like so excited. This is major. I officially have IMDB credits … so it's great!" Cote said, laughing. 

The artist is a member of the Cote First Nation and grew up in Regina. She now lives in Los Angeles and has committed herself to promoting Indigenous beauty and style through many creative endeavours ⁠— whether that's styling actresses for the red carpet or founding her own fashion publication, Coté Magazine.

When Cote as a makeup and hair assistant for the true crime thriller Back Mass, directed by Devanny Pinn, she felt proud to be a part of a women-led operation. 

"I believe that there is this sisterhood," Cote said.

"They're really creating opportunities for women of colour in the industry and I believe that's really important these days, because representation does matter."

Cote worked closely on-set with the lead makeup artist, who is Native American. She said they weren't the only Indigenous people on set.

"Having us behind the scenes, I feel, is also important because we all have stories that we want to tell and we all have talents that I feel could be shared."

Black Mass is set in the 1970s during serial killer Ted Bundy's reign of terror. Unlike many films about the notorious murderer, Black Mass focuses on the victims, who were all women.

Cote said it was fun and inspiring to research makeup and hair that characters would have had in the 1970s. She enjoyed the fast-paced set environment. 

"It was challenging, but it's almost like an adrenaline. You're thrown in the ring and you're like, OK it's time to perform."

Cote said it was great to work on a film that wasn't about Indigenous people, but still had them as part of the production.

Back in Canada, acclaimed Cree-Métis film director and screenwriter Danis Goulet said she's thrilled to hear that another Indigenous artist from Saskatchewan is making waves in the film world.

"It's so amazing to see someone like Robin getting the opportunities, but also being recognized for what she's able to do and her talent. I applaud it and I'm so proud to hear that," Goulet said.