The May arrival in Montreal of the Brad Pitt feature The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is ‘more of a symbolic victory than an economic one,’ says Quebec film commissioner Hans Fraikin, despite its big, $140-million price tag.

‘Originally, we were hoping the entire feature would shoot here,’ he says. ‘But because of the labor conflict, they shot mainly in Louisiana and L.A.’

The Paramount project, to be helmed by David Fincher (Fight Club, Zodiac), was wary of shooting in Montreal because of the ongoing dispute between IATSE and AQTIS over which union has the right to represent technicians on Hollywood shoots. A short-term agreement struck in the spring handed the rights for Button and four other titles to IATSE.

‘Paramount has been very supportive of Quebec as a location,’ says Fraikin. ‘I’m very glad they’re here, even if it’s just for two weeks. This is a very important signal to send out to the international film community that we’re ready for business.’

Shooting will begin in May 22 and no studios will be used. The shooting will take place entirely in Old Montreal, which will sit in for various urban European locations, including Moscow and Paris. ‘It’s a pity they weren’t shooting here a few weeks ago, because the script calls for snow on the ground,’ says Fraikin. ‘Now they’re going to have to make it.’

Based on the F. Scott Fitzgerald story of the same name, Benjamin Button tells the tale of a man who begins to age backwards, getting younger and younger each day. Along this reverse path, he falls in love with a woman who becomes older as he grows younger. The film stars Pitt and Cate Blanchett, who teamed in last year’s Oscar nominee Babel.