The feature film The Northlander has been globetrotting, and along the way receiving critical applause. This Monday, it’s coming home.
Last fall, Benjamin Ross Hayden, armed with a small crew, a small grant and great vision was in the Valley shooting The Northlander, a science fiction adventure.
Since then, the film has been on the festival circuit in North America, Europe and Mexico, and has received great reviews. This Monday, Drumheller residents will get the chance to review it, as it will receive its Drumheller premiere.
“We have sold out in Calgary, Toronto and Edmonton, and Vice Magazine called The Northlander one of eight of indigenous cinema’s most important films.” said Hayden. “It’s been out there, but it’s also nice to bring it back home to the Valley.”
“We thought it is a nice time to go back to Drumheller mostly because it seems like a real home coming.”
The Drumheller landscape is featured prominently in the film, and for Hayden it is important to get reaction from the people who are most connected to the land.
“This very place that people live in, it is important for us to know what they think of the movie too, because it so strongly has to do with the land that they know it best.”
The showing this Monday will be an authentic red carpet event.
It will include the opportunity to meet some of the actors and get photos with them. Julian Black Antelope who has appeared in Hell on Wheels, Penny Dreadful and Arctic Air, will be at the premiere, as will Stephane Legault, who appeared in the Revenant. It is also a chance to meet the filmmaker himself and participate in a live question and answer session.
The red carpet action kicks off at 6:15 p.m., with the screening at 7 p.m. After the movie, a reception will be hosted at Neighbours Corner Pub, featuring a live acoustic set by singer-songwriter Joey Pringle.
Following the Drumheller premiere, there are big things planned for the film. Spotlight Pictures is the international agent for the film and the next step is getting it into theatre houses. The film will be at the famous Capitol Theatre in New York City for one week, and they are working on more showings.
The Northlander is also confirmed in development with Canada Media Fund, as a six-part television miniseries. Hayden says they hope to be in production in 2017, and there will be episodes shot in Drumheller.
See page 4 for more details.
