Feature film 'Backcountry' set to shoot in the Bay

Backcountry, the thriller written and directed by Adam MacDonald, starring Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue, Cybergeddon, Reaper) and Jeff Roop (Heartland) is about to begin principal photography today.


Backcountry is produced by Thomas Michael (Running Mates, Hank and Mike, Greg & Gentillon) of Fella Films.


Filming runs from October 14 through November 6, 2013 in North Bay, Toronto and Vancouver, Canada.


Backcountry is a tense thriller about a young couple, Alex, a seasoned camper and Jenn who is … not. After much convincing, Jenn agrees to accompany Alex to his favorite campsite along the secluded Blackfoot Trail. Insisting he remembers the way, they push deep into the wilderness. After three days, their path disappears, then their food, and then their water. Realizing they have entered bear territory, terror is raised to a whole new level. Throughout the entire ordeal, their already fragile relationship is tested to the limit. One of them is humbled by the forces of nature, while the other finds a wellspring of inner strength – but only one makes it back alive.


Producer Thomas Michael noted, “We took all our personal nightmare camping stories and Adam wove them into a terrifying and richly compelling film. Truth is always more frightening than fiction. This is Canada’s Open Water. If we do our job right, no one will ever go camping again.”


“My goal is to make the shower scene of bear attacks, one the audience will never forget. I finally have the right team to make this happen. Nothing hits us harder then our primal fears and they will be on full display in Backcountry,” said Adam MacDonald.


Cinematography by Christian Bielz (Silent Retreat, Rescue Mediums) costume design by Ginger Martini (Darknet), production design by Pierre Bonhomme (Zombie Dearest, The Smart Woman Survival Guide), editing by Dev Singh (Picture Day,15/Love)


Backcountry is funded by Telefilm Canada and Northern Ontario Heritage Fund.


Backcountry is slated for release in 2014 and will be distributed in Canada by D Films. US and international sales will be handled by Event Film.


About Adam MacDonald

Born in Montreal, Quebec, Adam MacDonald has appeared in over 40 film and television shows, before shifting his focus to writing and directing. Mentored by director Bruce McDonald, Adam directed three short films: Sombre Zombie, KillerKiller, and In the Dominican. Sombre Zombie aired on Bravo! and screened at festivals around the world, including the Fantasia Film Festival and Nashville Film Festival. In the Dominican was also a festival hit, receiving nominations for Best International Short Film at the Barebones Film Festival, Best Short Film at the Treasure Coast International Film Festival; and garnering the Award of Merit at the Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood.


About Fella Films

With offices in Los Angeles and Toronto, Fella Films is the brainchild of producer/filmmaker Thomas Michael. In 2005, Fella Films completed its first feature film, Greg and Gentillon. The film won the DISCOVERY AWARD at the 2005 Calgary International Film Festival, screened at festivals around the world before being released theatrically in the U.S. by Anthem Pictures; and in Canada by Alliance Films. The company’s next feature, Hank and Mike, starring Joe Mantegna (Searching for Bobby Fischer, Godfather 3) and Chris Klein (American Pie, Election) was released theatrically by Magnolia Pictures in the U.S. and in Canada by eONE Entertainment. It also sold around the world, including a 3 month 10-screen theatrical run in Prague. In 2010, Fella Films completed its third feature film, Running Mates. The film stars legendary icon Henry Winkler (Happy Days, Arrested Development), DJ Qualls (Roadtrip, Hustle & Flow) and Graham Green (Dances With Wolves, Twilight). The film won BEST COMEDY at the Seattle True Independent Film Festival and was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for BEST WRITING. As it stands, Fella Films is in production on its latest feature, Backcountry, a thriller set in the woods of Northern Canada. With a slate of feature films and television series in development, Fella Films is rapidly establishing itself as source of high quality, creative productions with a distinct voice.

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