CANADIAN FILMMAKER'S MOVIE TOO VIOLENT FOR HIS OWN CITIES FILM FESTIVAL
“THE
KILLING GAMES is too violent for the Edmonton International Film Festival” says
Chairman Michael Hamm. Director Barry J. Gillis invited reps from his own city
to a Private Screening of his movie on May 18th at the historic Garneau Theatre
in Edmonton. Hamm and another rep Kerrie Long showed up. Hamm and Long watched
the entire movie from beginning to end on a big screen. However, on May 29th
2012, Gillis was informed in a telephone conversation by Festival Chairman Hamm
that “THE KILLING GAMES was too violent for the Edmonton International Film
Festival.”
Gillis
was stunned with the decision because he is a local Edmonton filmmaker, and he
was also shocked because the festival broke their own rules and told him well ahead
of the August 7th scheduled announcement date. It is an absolute sin for a film
festival to let filmmakers know anything before the Official Announcement Date.
Gillis
also feels that the festival is stopping some local talent from getting some
well needed exposure. Native American actor Donald A. Morin who plays Minister
Riel in the movie lives in Edmonton. “Morin plays a fine role in the film, and
they are shutting him out.” Gillis states. “Native Americans don't always get
the chance to showcase their talents in the way Morin did in this film either.”
The movie also stars Denmark's Kim Sønderholm who has been involved in over 100
movies.
THE
KILLING GAMES is about a man who's wife is dying of a mysterious illness. He
contemplates taking the law into his own hands, after his daughter witnesses a double
homicide and narrowly escapes the grasp of two serial killers. The movie was
shot in Wabuman, Lac St. Anne, Alberta Beach and Edmonton, Alberta. Gillis is against
censorship, and believes that he is getting shafted by the Edmonton Film
Festival. “It was alright for them to watch the entire movie, but they don't want
you to see the movie.” He continues, “I feel like David Cronenberg when he first
started out in Toronto, it was the same kind of thing, a never ending struggle because
of a little violence in a Canadian movie.”
More
information and reactions from the audience during the May screening that resulted
in the banning see this link:
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