"For the production of the Indie Film "THE BRUCE PENINSULA""

Mathieu Seguin is organizing this fundraiser.

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SYNOPSIS

Encouraged by his girlfriend, Matt meets his estranged half brother Dexter for the first time after the death of their father, who Matt has not seen snice he was a child, to spread their father's ashes. Despite Matt's initial disinterest in bonding with Dexter, they embark on a journey through scenic landscapes across Northern Ontario, revisiting places significant to their childhoods and reflecting on their divergent upbringings. Along the way, they confront personal challenges, including Dexter's fear of heights. Through shared experiences and emotional moments, their relationship evolves, culminating in a drunken but cathartic conversation where they confront past hurts and misunderstandings. Despite setbacks, including a missed ferry and a heated physical confrontation, they ultimately reconcile and come to terms with their family's history. As they scatter the final ashes, they embrace their brotherhood and newfound understanding of each other, the definition of family, and themselves.

CHARACTERS

MATT is very emotionally detached from his father’s abandonment at a young age, he has a short fuse and a fixation with respect and common sense. He sees vulnerability as weakness and looks down upon the struggles of other people, as he had to face the world on his own. For these reasons, he is refuses to acknowledge Dexter as his blood. He resents anyone who has had it easier than him and has a disregard for the rules.

DEXTER is soft momma's boy who is oblivious to his privilege, commonly mistaking luxury as normal experiences for the average person. A bit unselfaware, he constantly annoys Matt and acts young for his age. He is meek with many fears and needs. He is always seen with over-ear headphones around his neck and is desperate to fulfill his long dream of having a cool big brother.

STYLE

The style of the film is inspired film movements such as Mumblecore and Dogme 95, with a focus on immersive handheld shots and realistic, almost mundane dialog and a curiosity with down to earth, everyday interpersonal relationships and struggles. The film is very pensive, drawing from films in the "Slow cinema" movement, the film really comes to life in the silence and stillness of the Northern Ontario Landscape. We are on the outside of these characters, studying the transformation within as Matt comes to terms with his traumas he has buried long ago and Dexter's journey to becoming a man which Matt takes on as their father was present but absent in helping him on this jouney while he was alive. insert into the wild, Puffy chair, Nomadland.

WHY NORTHERN ONTARIO?

Northern Ontario has been a hotbed for some time now for local and foreign productions, yet rarely is the real world setting mentioned in the story and times that it is, we are depicted as Hillbillys and Hicks. We want to show the world what Northern Ontario is really like; the amazing and supportive familiar faces, the beautiful landscape and the salt of the earth people that live here.

This production is 100% Northern Ontario funded and produced with the abundance of local talent and settings, to finally depict the real Northern Ontario and tell the unique stories we have to offer. With this film, we want to cultivate our own industry and nurture the talent here to set an example so that Filmmakers and artists to connect with their roots and embrace the Northern Ontario spirit in their work.

SPECIFICATIONS

Feature film, runtime 90 mins, drama/ comedy.

MEET THE TEAM

Matt Poitras

Writer/Director

Matthew Poitras is a Writer and Director based in Sudbury Ontario. He has written and directed multiple short films and is currently working on Producing his debut feature film. With a fixation on realism, Matthew aims to highlight the complexity of interpersonal relationships and the struggles of everyday life. He takes an outsider approach to his work, frequently disregarding traditional cinema norms and techniques to create something that is refreshing and relatable. Matthew makes films, not movies, that examines not what we do but why we do, and what it means to be a human being.

Watch his most recent short film "Closure" on Youtube!

https://youtu.be/WdTVGSiEu-Y?si=BNDF6u1Z-jDP5B7z

Mathieu Seguin

Producer

Mathieu is a Canadian cinematographer and a graduate of the American Film Institute (AFI) in Los Angeles, where he earned his Master’s in Cinematography. Whether filming commercials, documentary or narrative films, Mathieu uses light as his paintbrush to create vivid and evocative imagery. He has four feature films, including "Stellar"directed by Darlene Naponse, which premiered at TIFF 2021. Mathieu is dedicated to nurturing local filmmaking talent and aims to transform Northern Ontario into Canada’s content creation capital.

Zha Babaeiva

Cinematographer

Zha is from Kyiv, Ukraine, known for their compelling storytelling and strong advocacy for human rights. With a background in journalism and a decade of experience in the documentary field, has a keen eye for capturing poignant, real-life narratives. Transitioning into fiction films, now employs innovative acting methods to bring powerful stories to life. Their work not only entertains but also raises awareness on critical social issues, reflecting their deep commitment to human rights and justice. Through their unique cinematic vision and dedication to impactful storytelling, continue to make significant contributions to both the film industry and the broader societal discourse.

Pierre Laframboise

Sound Recordist/Music Composer

With expertise as a composer, music producer, and film composer, crafts compelling and emotive soundscapes that elevate visual narratives. His proficiency as a sound engineer and audio editor ensures pristine audio quality, while their skills as boom mic operator capture the finest nuances of on-set sound. Additionally, talents extend to writing, where they bring a unique voice and perspective to their projects. This comprehensive skill set makes an invaluable asset to any creative endeavor, seamlessly blending technical precision with artistic innovation

Dexter Bolduc

Actor

Dexter is an emerging talent in the Sudbury theater and cinema industry, having starred in multiple short films and commercial productions. He is truly passionate about acting and performing, willing to do whatever it takes to be a team player and contribute his talents. His on screen presence is undeniable, repeatedly demonstrating the ability to convey a multitude of complex emotions that his characters experience while showcasing his physical performance abilities, bringing the character to life with real compelling and decisive movements.

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE

We begin filming on August 6-9th to get a head start before the roadtrip, capturing all scenes in the greater Sudbury area, allowing us to warm up and dial in our process before the real emotional content that takes place on Manitoulin and Tobermory. We resume production on the 12-19th where we will be filming all across Manitoulin Island and Tobermory for the rest of the film.