|
Post-Apocalyptic Economic Depression Thriller Bought by Relevision
Local filmmakers first project The Revenant to be filmed by Vancouver production company
Oct. 2, 2006, Vancouver, BC, – Ghostlight Cinema Inc. (GCI) announced today that director/producer Roger Evan Larry and his Vancouver production company, Relevision Productions, has optioned the rights to The Revenant. Written by GCI founders, director Kody Zimmermann and actor/producer, Trevor Roberts, The Revenant is a modern tale of tyranny, vengeance and liberation. It is set in a post-apocalyptic, post-boom, United States that has been broken up into corporately owned city states ravaged by a devastating economic depression.
Roger Evan Larry is excited about The Revenant’s prospects “The script allows for a great piece of cinema that is fabulously entertaining and I think it’s going to attract movie star calibre talent. The Revenant is an exciting and timely story that recalls genre masterpieces like The Road Warrior and High Plains Drifter.”
Relevision has started development on the project and is aiming to go into production in the fall of 2007. Zimmermann and Roberts will be associate producers on the film, being produced by Relevision. Production of The Revenant will follow the opening of Crossing in theatres across Canada this winter. Crossing, Roger Evan Larry’s first feature film after a successful career directing award-winning television programs and music video has been sold to over 22 countries. Relevision is a Vancouver production company owned by writer/director Roger Evan Larry and his partner writer/producer Sandra Tomc.
For Zimmermann and Roberts, who started GCI in 2005 to develop and promote emerging talent from the Pacific Northwest while producing profitable films, the acquisition represents a significant company milestone.
“Relevision is headed by two award-winning filmmakers with several internationally successful projects under their belts,” says Zimmermann, “Their interest in The Revenant proves that GCI has projects of great quality and real commercial potential. It will be an unbelievable thrill to watch our first project hit the big screen.”
Kody Zimmermann is a writer/director specializing in the horror, science fiction and action genres. Zimmermann’s short films have ranged from an official adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s We Can Get Them For You Wholesale, to having Arnold Schwarzenegger make a cameo in A Tribute To Robert. GCI business partner, Trevor Roberts, is a successful actor who appeared in Two For The Money with Al Pacino and the upcoming Brightlight Pictures thriller, White Noise 2.
Originally Zimmerman was going to direct the movie himself, but he noticed an ad on the Internet that Relevision was looking for screenwriters. He offered The Revenant script as a sample of his work and Roger and Sandra fell in love with the story.
“We have half dozen people reading scripts for us,” says Roger Evan Larry, “We read hundreds and hundreds over the last year and half before we found a script that we both loved and had the potential to attract investment and big name talent. We see The Revenant as a $15 million film that will have the production value of studio film but produced on an indie budget”
“Selling the project to Relevision is a strategic move for GCI.” says Trevor Roberts, “The depth and experience that Roger and Sandra bring to the table can not be undervalued. Being associate producers of a successful film puts GCI in a better position to ensure the success of our next project, The Ghostwoods.”
While Relevision is producing The Revenant, GCI will concentrate on its feature film, The Ghostwoods, a psychological horror film centering on demonic possession and Man's most disturbing taboo. The Ghostwoods was written by Zimmermann and Roberts as a dark parable that evokes such genre classics as The Shining and Alien. Connected to the project are actors Eric Johnson (Ginger Snaps 2, Smallville) and Chris Kramer (The Collector), as well as special effects make-up designer John Healy (The Wicker Man, X-Men 3).
“The option on The Revenant has given Ghostlight Cinema leverage on some of our other projects,” states Zimmermann. “It’s enabled us to shop some of our other scripts to production companies, as well as attract more investment in our own film, The Ghostwoods.”
Post-apocalyptic films were popular in the ‘80s and Zimmermann says now is a good time for a movie like this with the current social and political climate, “With the fluctuating cost of oil and the question mark that is Iraq, I feel it’s a very chilling and dark time. It’s the perfect time for post-apocalyptic films to make a comeback.”
Roger Evan Larry’s first film, Crossing is a thriller about a gangster, played by Sebastian Spence, (Dawson’s Creek, First Wave) who discovers the thrills and perils of cross-dressing at the hands of a blackmailing hooker played by Crystal Buble (Cold Squad, Outer Limits). Crossing also features Fred Ewanuick (Corner Gas, Santa Clause II) and Bif Naked, who along with Michael Buble is also contributing songs to the soundtrack.
Written by Sandra Tomc and directed by Roger Evan Larry, Crossing had its world premiere at CINEQUEST in March 2005. It won silver for “Best First Feature Prize / Emerging Maverick” at the festival. Cinemavault have acquired the world rights to Crossing and the film has been sold to over twenty countries.
Background
Ghostlight Cinema Inc. (GCI)
GCI is a development and production company that promotes and develops emerging talent in the Pacific Northwest to produce profitable films. GCI is currently producing The Ghostwoods. It was found in 2005 by writer / director Kody Zimmermann and actor / producer Trevor Roberts.
Relevision Production
Relevision develops and makes feature film and television, both as an independent producer and as a service provider. Services range from international co-production and line producing to the director for hire services of Relevision partner Roger Evan Larry. In addition to Crossing’s release and developing The Revenant, Relevision is also well into production on a feature-length documentary, Pot Boiler, about the arrests in Canada by the US government of three Canadian pot activists; who now face extradition to the U.S. and imprisonment for life. Relevision is also preparing to shoot a half-hour comedy pilot in January 07 and they have three other feature films at various stages of development.
Contacts:
Scott Henderson
Public Relations
t. +1.403.921.2001
scott.henderson@dhzmedia.ca
-30- |
