Thriller wraps up filming in N.B.
Published Thursday May 21st, 2009
American Sunset shot in Moncton, Fredericton, Parlee Beach
A second major movie to be filmed in Moncton in as many years is wrapping up production downtown.
The film, American Sunset, is scheduled for release this summer. The popular teen movie Growing Op, released last year, was also filmed in Moncton.
The film is produced by Global Universal Inc. out of Hollywood, but most of the 40-person cast and crew is from New Brunswick.
"It's been really great for me," said Nicky Destres, production manager and Moncton native. "It's been giving me the opportunity to prove myself in the New Brunswick market."
This is Destres' first time as a production manager for a feature film.
"New Brunswick film is underrated, but I'm hoping this film will change things," Destres said.
The film was originally set for the Dominican Republic, but screenwriter Jackie Giroux thought her home province of New Brunswick would be better.
"I thought it was really better for Canada," Giroux said. "There's great little places like Kings Landing and the Coliseum in Moncton and Parlee Beach, and I said we have everything we need right here in Canada."
Giroux works as a film producer in New York and is the co-founder and director of Global Universal Film Group. She said her New Brunswick roots played a huge role in writing the film.
"I took all the locations that I was familiar with and put it into the movie," she said. "I think New Brunswick should be very proud they have so many beautiful and historic locations that I'm sure the rest of the world is not aware of."
A promo of the film is being shown at this week's Cannes Film Festival.
"It's an action thriller about a guy who meets up with an ex-soldier from Iraq because the police cannot help find his wife," Giroux said. "A sinister voice calls up and gives him clues they must follow to find his wife. It's completely action-filled; you don't know who the bad guy is and who the good guy is."
Canadian actor Corey Haim (Lost Boys, Roomies) plays the lead role, with New York's Frank Bellina co-starring. Hartland native Angela Cullins plays the lead female role.
"She's got star quality, she's absolutely incredible and I think she's really going to cross over," Destres said. "I think she's going to go really far,"
The film alternated filming between Fredericton and Moncton. The crew shot at Parlee Beach yesterday afternoon and wrapped up in Moncton last night. Having a feature film shot in New Brunswick is a good sign for the province's struggling film business.
"When a production of this size comes to New Brunswick with major stars it's great publicity for the province as a shooting location because it's beautiful," said publicist Jim Lavoie. "That just shows how much the industry's growing. All the people from New Brunswick have represented themselves top notch."
Moncton was an obvious choice for the filming location, given its demographic and location.
"The technology's here, it's convenient, you can isolate yourself if need be," said Lavoie. "You can get in the city and be allowed to do films without being a major disruption."
Since American Sunset was shot entirely in New Brunswick by filmmakers from the province, the Canadian and New Brunswick governments provided a significant amount of funding.
And the film has certainly given back, Giroux said.
"People need to work ... so this film gave 40 people a job. It's not just the crew members, it's restaurants and hotels. In a time of need, we're absolutely great for the economy."
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