Visit Films Takes World Sales Right for Dystopian Tale ‘40 Acres’ Starring Danielle Deadwyler (EXCLUSIVE)

As a film reviewer with a penchant for stories that delve deep into societal issues, I was thoroughly captivated by R.T. Thorne’s directorial debut, “40 Acres.” Hailing from Calgary, Alberta – a major beef producer and with roots in produce – Thorne has a unique perspective on the farmers’ relationship with the land that shines through in this dystopian survival thriller.

40 Acres, the dystopian survival thriller by R.T. Thorne, has been acquired for worldwide distribution (excluding Canada) by Visit Films. This gripping film is set to be screened in the Special Presentations category at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Ryan Kampe, President of Visit, praises R.T. as a dynamic director who has demonstrated his skills in various mediums. The audience is expected to be captivated by R.T.’s innovative blend of commercial techniques with social-issue filmmaking. This movie embodies the mission of Visit by seamlessly combining these two realms.

Set in the scenic landscapes of Northern Ontario, the series “40 Acres” narrates the story of Hailey Freeman (played by Danielle Deadwyler, also starring in Toronto’s “The Piano Lesson”), a former soldier now turned farmer, and her family as they strive to protect their secluded farmstead from an encroaching militia.

In the show “Rutherford Falls,” Michael Greyeyes plays Freeman’s partner. Kataem O’Connor from Toronto is cast as the eldest son who, after encountering a young woman named Milcania Diaz-Rojas outside the boundary, begins to yearn for a different way of life.

Thorne stated that portraying thoughts on self-governance over land and food in a movie starring Black and Indigenous actors is fitting, given their common historical hardships related to colonization.

Jennifer Holness, from Hungry Eyes Media, collaborated with Crave (a subsidiary of Bell Media), and they jointly produced a show. Mongrel Media handles its distribution across Canada.

Thorne, who initially worked in music video direction, has amassed an impressive portfolio spanning two decades, with notable contributions as the co-creator and versatile talent behind Hulu’s “Utopia Falls,” along with serving as a director and executive producer on the period drama “The Porter.

Throughout the years, I’ve been presented with numerous stereotypical narratives about Black experiences, assuming my interest is limited to them. However, I’m captivated by stories that come from diverse viewpoints,” explained Thorne, who had been mulling over concepts for “40 Acres” since six years ago.

As the pandemic struck, it became strikingly clear that the foundations of our society are perhaps less robust than we had imagined. In those moments, my mind raced with thoughts: ‘What measures could I take to safeguard my loved ones if the lights were to go out?’

Originally from Calgary, Alberta – a significant agricultural hub for beef production – Thorne now resides in Toronto. Growing up with his father involved in produce, he developed a deep respect for farmers’ connection to the land, viewing it as both noble and crucial. In the realm of dystopian literature, he notes that a farming family during periods of food shortage would be under the most threat.

The project ’40 Acres’ receives backing from various sources, including Telefilm Canada, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), the Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Urban Post Production, FELA, and Back Home.

2024-09-07 14:17

Visit Films Takes World Sales Right for Dystopian Tale ‘40 Acres’ Starring Danielle Deadwyler (EXCLUSIVE)

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