REGINA — The Eye on Saskatchewan Screen Week & Expo is well underway, with more panels and movie screenings coming up this weekend — including a showing of the Saskatchewan-produced film Brotherhood in Regina tonight.
Brotherhood’s producer Anand Ramayya of Karma Film Inc. is one of many film industry pros taking part in this year’s festival, which is hosted by the Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association to introduce the public to local film innovation.
Directed by Richard Bell, Ramayya describes Brotherhood as a “harrowing tale of survival,” based on a true story.
Set in the 1920s, the film follows a group of young men on a youth leadership retreat in Northern Ontario, where they encounter a serious summer storm that leaves them stranded on the lake and fighting to survive.
“The kids are pitted against nature and cold weather and fear, and they have to stand together and learn about sacrifice, find their inner courage to overcome impossible odds,” said Ramayya.
Brotherhood boasts some recognizable Canadian faces in it's cast, including Brendon Fehr of Roswell and CSI: Miami, and Jake Manley, best known as the lead actor in the Netflix Series The Order.
The film is also scored by famous composer Bill Rowson, who was born in Saskatchewan but has worked with big names across the country.
“It’s a powerful film, and some of the story, for us as Saskatchewan people [is relatable], you know — if you’ve ever been up north and been caught in weather, you know how scary that can be,” said Ramayya.
For Ramayya, who is a second-generation Saskatchewan filmmaker, being a part of an event focused on spotlighting Saskatchewan film talent is a great opportunity.
“There’s excitement in the community again, about what we do, and I think our stories are really great,” said Ramayya. “There’s a boom happening right across the country, and we’ve got some really talented artists, technicians, craftspeople here that are on par with people across the country.”
Eye on Saskatchewan, as a public event, looks to raise awareness about the craft behind the cameras, which Ramayya said is always a help to filmmakers like himself.
“I think the more we can get people excited about what we do again, I think that we’ll see some progress,” said Ramayya. “I’m hopeful that events like this one will lead to strengthening the industry.”
Ramayya added that he’s currently finishing up another film, titled Donkey Head, which was shot in Regina during the winter.
Brotherhood, in connection with Eye on Saskatchewan, will be showing at the Regina Imax Theatre tonight at 7 p.m., with tickets still available at the time of publishing.
Eye on Saskatchewan will continue through to Saturday, with a schedule of upcoming online workshops and, to close things out, a Family Day event on Aug. 28 in Regina.
“I would encourage people to come out and see some movies, if you can,” said Ramayya.
More information about upcoming events for Eye on Saskatchewan can be found on the SMPIA’s website at smpia.sk.ca/news-and-events.
