Five years ago a small crew from Rambunxious Entertainment were in the valley shooting a World War II based film. Today, the film is up for six awards at the Action On International Film Festival in Las Vegas.
The film ‘Thousand Yard Stare’ is being released around the world and it is receiving critical acclaim. It used the valley as a backdrop to propel the film.
“It was finished technically last August and then we went to our distributor and they started selling it to markets around the world,” explains Aaron Kurmey of Rambunxious. “In February it came out in South Korea, in May it came out in England, it just came out in Japan a week ago and it came out in the United States and Canada on September 4 on DVD.”
He adds there may be some television screening in Canada.
“It is being received relativity well for a low budget movie,” he said.
In fact, it was nominated for six Alberta Media Production Industry Association (AMPIA) awards and took home the awards for Best Screenwriters in a Drama over 30 minutes and Best Dramatic Feature or Made for TV Movie.
At the Action On Film Festival in Vegas, it is up for Best Costumes, Best Cinematography, Best Action Sequence, Best Drama, Best Period Piece, and Best Picture.
‘Thousand Yard Stare’ tells the story of a World War II veteran struggling to reintegrate with family life as he relives the Battle of Kasserine Pass.
Drumheller doubles for Tunisia in this film.
“Someone told me filming here is like ‘Alberta is the world’s stunt double’ because it can play so many different locations from around the world,” said Kurmey.
Rambunxious Entertainment was launched by Kurmey, Kevin Johnson, and Ryan Hatt, and they describe themselves as guerilla filmmaking. Their film Hoodoo Voodoo, which was also filmed in the valley, was released in 2010 and then they released Battle Earth in 2013. In the meantime, they are busy with a number of projects.
“It is wide open for us,” said Kurmey.
