New York ? Filmmakers are going to Canada to make a movie about former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, angering industry officials who say the film belongs in Giuliani’s hometown.

“Rudy!” based on an unauthorized biography of the man known as America’s mayor is set to begin filming Nov. 7 in Montreal. James Woods stars as the Brooklyn-born former mayor and Penelope Ann Miller plays ex-wife Donna Hanover in the film, which intersperses flashbacks from Giuliani’s childhood and political career with his performance on Sept. 11, 2001.

Carlton America is producing the film for the USA Networks cable channel, which has scheduled a release for next year. Like the book “Rudy!” it was made without Giuliani’s cooperation.

Spokesmen for Carlton America and USA Networks declined comment on the decision to shoot the movie in Canada. Carlton America spokesman Les Eisner said a few scenes may be shot in New York.

The decision means less work for union members and comes at a time when New York’s film industry is struggling, said Pamm Fair, national deputy director of the Screen Actors Guild.

“They have very little right now,” she said. “Runaway production (filming outside the country) is a huge problem.”

The Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting said business was “average” in New York for the fall season.

Films in production now include “Angels in America,” an HBO project starring Al Pacino and Meryl Streep, and “Mona Lisa’s Smile,” starring Julia Roberts.