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World War II Feature Film Recon Nationwide Release November

VORTEX MEDIA, BRAINSTORM MEDIA & ENDERBY ENTERTAINMENT HONOUR REMEMBRANCE DAY WITH NATIONWIDE RELEASE

RECON

A WORLD WAR II FEATURE FILM BASED ON NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLER PEACE STARRING ALEXANDER LUDWIG, SAM KEELEY, CHRIS BROCHU AND FRANCO NERO IN AN ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE AVAILABLE ON DEMAND AND DIGITAL HD NOVEMBER 10, 2020

Vancouver/Toronto Canada: Vortex Media and Enderby Entertainment are pleased to bring Academy Award-winner Robert Port’s (TWIN TOWERS, AGENT X) military thriller, RECON to the Vernon Towne Cinema for the Canadian Premiere screening at 6:30 and 9:00 PM. Adapted from the critically acclaimed New York Times best-seller “Peace,” based on a true World War II event, by author Richard Bausch, RECON stars Canadian born Alexander Ludwig (BAD BOYS FOR LIFE, THE HUNGER GAMES, “Vikings”), Sam Keeley (BURNT, “68 Whiskey”), Chris Brochu (DYNASTY, “Shameless”) and Franco Nero (DJANGO UNCHAINED, JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 2). The film was shot in British Columbia and is produced by Rick Dugdale and executive produced by Maury Povich. RECON is being distributed by Vortex Media on November 10th in time for Remembrance Day and available on Digital HD and On Demand. 

RECON centers around four young men stationed in Italy in the midst of war. The action occurs over the course of one long day as they debate both their fates and that of life itself. As they struggle to make it off the mountain alive, these American soldiers face the worst that war can offer, and through this, each finds his own peace.

Dugdale helped get the production off the ground in British Columbia, Canada, where the film was shot in the winter, depicting severe weather conditions endured in Europe during World War II. The weather showed up as a surprise character in the film, with the production battling below zero temperatures in the mountaintops of the Canadian bush.

Writer/director Robert Port won an Academy Award for his film TWIN TOWERS, a documentary short about Detective Joe Vigiano, an elite New York City policeman who was killed during the tragic events of 9/11. RECON is Port’s feature debut, which he wrote and directed.

“My grandfather fought in the war, and I always envisioned one day making a story about World War II,” Dugdale said.  “Looking at Rob’s adaptation and the vision that he wanted to make was very much in line with the story I wanted to tell.”

Povich was also moved by the story and the purpose.  “After Pearl Harbor, there wasn’t a soul in the United States who didn’t believe that we should respond by joining the effort against Japan and Germany.”

“I’ve always found wartime dramas to be especially moving for me because the stakes are so high.  It’s always life and death,” adds actor and executive producer, Alexander Ludwig.  “It’s always interesting to explore the humanity behind something like that.” Ludwig adds, “A lot of this film is about characters dealing with two sides of themselves and trying to find themselves through the journey.”

Bausch is thrilled to see his book come to life on screen.  “I think it’s a stunning piece of work,” he said.  “Every single frame of it is beautiful, I could not have been happier.  There are sections of it where I think it’s going beyond the book.”

“The story explores the themes I find most important in life – morality, friendship, love, life and death.  And I just wanted to honour Richard’s work.” Port added, “The most important is morality because without it, it’s like being lost in the woods without a compass.”

“We are proud to partner with Brainstorm Media and Enderby Entertainment to bring this important film to Canadian audiences in time for Remembrance Day,” said Rob Harrison, EVP of Distribution and Marketing with Vortex Media. “We don’t want to forget all the Veterans who served. RECON is a great way to honour their bravery at this time of year.”  

About Vortex Media

Vortex Media is a boutique studio bringing together global distribution and film and television production across all genres. It comprises three divisions: Vortex Canada, specializing in the theatrical release of feature films and monetization across all platforms; Vortex International, a worldwide sales and distribution company; and Vortex Productions, an in-house production company with the resources to self-finance and produce feature films and made-for-television movies.   

About Enderby Entertainment

Founded in 2006 by partners Rick Dugdale and Daniel Petrie, Jr., Enderby Entertainment is a global film, television, financing and production company based in Beverly Hills, California.  In nearly 13 years, the company has produced 18 feature films.  An innovative company steeped in diversified production experience worldwide, Enderby Entertainment puts storyline first and foremost, while ensuring that investors, filmmakers and talent are supported from production to release.  For more, visit www.enderbyentertainment.com.

For interview requests with Rick Dugdale, Robert Port and actors, photos and screeners please contact:

Lesley Diana | The Promotion People | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

  • Recon on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7713810/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
  • Recon Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUNWCpqDTOA

RECON Running time: 95 Minutes 

Language: English and Italian with English Subtitles 

Rating: Not rated 

Canadian Distributor: Vortex Media: Rob Harrison | rob@vortexpix.com | 647-808-0400

Unmasked Film by Mostafa Kashvari’s

Award-winning Iranian-born Canadian writer, director and producer Mostafa Keshvari’s feature film “Unmasked” film has a global humanitarian message that needs to be told.

‘Unmasked’ is a female-empowering feature film about a Muslim immigrant woman in North America. The film, which tackles gender bias, mandatory hijab, and women’s freedom, has won 28 awards at international film festivals garnering critical acclaim along its journey and continues to gain traction.  It’s a story written, produced, and directed by Iranian-born Award Winning Canadian filmmaker Mostafa Kerhvari who says his film has a global humanitarian message that needs to be told. Mostafa is a filmmaker whose goal is to make the world a more conscious place one movie at a time. 

“Unmasked” explores an immigrant couple in the US after the Trump travel ban inspired by the Muslim Ban movement around the globe and the challenges of Muslim immigrant women fitting into a new society. Longing for connection, a young Muslim immigrant woman secretly joins an acting class empowering her to unveil her true-self beyond limitations as passion and faith collide. Unfortunately, her passion for acting collides with her husband’s stricter interpretation of their faith. The Canadian produced film addresses some of the major social issues of our time including Mandatory Hijab, #Metoo, immigration, gender bias, and inequality all the while touching upon conflicts arising between faith, family, and community.  “Unmasked” is available on Amazon. 

Farash (Sara Omran) is an immigrant who arrives in North America accompanied by her husband Saeed (Hani Mefti). As Farash tries to connect with the world around her, Saeed will try to protect her and their daughter Maryan (Aya Ramadan), hiding them from the world. The solution Farash finds is joining an acting class, which will help her feel empowered at the same time as she releases her true self in a crash between faith and passion. Even though Farash finds the perfect escape for her oppressive life, the love she feels for her family provides a twist and becomes a highly dramatic scenario to witness.

Mostafa Keshvari is an award-winning Iranian-born Canadian writer, director, and producer based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is a member of the Directors and Writers Guild of Canada. As a top graduate ofVancouver Film School, he has over 50 IMDB Awards and 4 Leo Award nominations. He started his film directing career in 2015. “Unmasked” is his first feature film. 

His first short film “I Ran” was selected in Cannes Short Corner Film Festival in 2015.  His films mainly explore social issues on minorities and have been featured on The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian, TIMES, BBC, CBC to name a few.  As the president of BC Minorities for Film and TV Society, Mostafa advocated for diversity and inclusion in the film. 

At a time when the Coronavirus was starting to make headlines, Mostafa shot the first acclaimed feature film to address the Coronavirus pandemic and Xenophobia that comes with it. Entitled “Corona,” the Coronavirus thriller was shot just before the shutdown. This dramatic thriller puts the audience in the middle of an intense ride with a diverse set of characters trapped in an elevator with a Coronavirus suspect; fear and racism spread among them faster than the virus.  With the rumor of coronavirus suspect circulating in the building, fear is spreading faster than the virus

Mostafa’s films range from feature-length to short, and animation. As a well-rounded artist, Mostafa is also a published poet and a professional painter at the Federation of Canadian Artists. “I want to give a voice to the voiceless people.  As a minority artist and I not only entertain but empower the audience with my work.” Says, Mostafa Keshvari 

“Unmasked is available on Amazon worldwide. “Corona” is available on Redbox, Spectrum, Fandango, Hoopla, Microsoft, Vudu, and Xfinity.

Mostafa Keshvari and actress Sara Omran are available for interviews upon request.  Movie reviewers can request a screener for “Corona” and/or “Unmasked.”

For more information, interview requests, screeners, and photos please contact:

Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Official links and social media:

Unmasked links:

  • https://www.amazon.com/Unmasked-Sara-Omran/dp/B085T348D9
  • https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7498026/

Global TV interview: https://globalnews.ca/video/4697489/vancouver-filmmaker-talks-about-his-new-feature-film-unmasked?fbclid=IwAR27w7GHMspS4-5KPGqVV-nbxGmdhyHqeEtJK-X6lzLAbzipgNS84pxl-gc

“Unmasked” Awards

  • Winner, Merit Award of Awareness, Awareness Film Festival
  • Winner, Award of Excellence, Canada International Film Festival
  • Winner, Best Feature film at ARFF Amsterdam
  • Winner, Jury Award for Best Feature Film, Independent Days
  • Winner, Award of Merit, Accolade Competition for Best Feature Film
  • Winner, Jury Prize for Best Screenplay, Out of The Can Film Festival
  •  Winner, Festival Price for Best Feature Film, Around International Film Festival
  • Winner, Silver Award for Best Feature, California Film Awards
  • Winner, Award of Excellence, Feature Film Drama, Depth of Field International Film Festival Competition
  • Winner, Diamond Award, Best Director, Hollywood Film Competition
  • Winner, October Award for Best Actress, Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards
  • Winner, Platinum Award for Best Feature Film, Mindfield Film Festival Albuquerque
  • Winner, Platinum Award, Best Actor, NYC Indie Film Awards

Houston Stevenson Role on Feature Fear Pharm

Actor Houston Stevenson takes on a leading role as Brandon in the Pulse Pounding Horror Feature Film “Fear Pharm” to be released on major platforms Apple TV, Google Play, Prime Video, FandangoNOW & more on September 15, 2020

Houston Stevenson’s acting career is on the rise as he takes on the leading role in the feature film “Fear Pharm.” Houston plays Brandon, your typical all American Jock, an easy-going guy, who’s all about his buddies and high school football. After graduation however things change from a high school jock turned to simple dude. Brandon just wants to sleep with his girlfriend, get drunk, and have a laid back time. “Fear Pharm” is being released on DVD and On Demand on September 15, 2020. The pulse-pounding horror film will be available via Apple TV, Google Play, Prime Video, FandangoNOW and more.

From director Dante Yore (616 Wilford Lane; director of photography on Battle Star Wars; Megalodon) from a screenplay co-written with “Apparition” producers Mark S. Allen and Howard Burd, the movie stars Emily Sweet (Desert Shadows; Castle Freak; Cry Havoc), Aimee Stolte (Battle Star Wars; Verotika; Megalodon) and John Littlefield alongside Houston. 

“Fear Pharm” is a 2020 American horror feature film about four teenagers that enter a maze, which is home to a deranged family. If 4 high school seniors make it through a ‘human-maze’ in under 2 hours – they’ll win the “Cash Grand Prize”… it seems simple enough… but only if you can escape the deranged family of dermatologists who’ve been harvesting the DNA of young teens for their special pharmaceutical cream.

Stevenson launched his career by garnering the attention of Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) while working for the Disney Channel original movie “Descendants 2.” He landed a cameo role in the film and also appeared in the third instalment. He has been working steadily ever since. Stevenson can be seen starring in the sequel to Lifetime’s horror film in “Stalker’s Prey 2” airing on the Lifetime Network in the US, various international networks and just released on Apple TV and Google Play.  Set on the beaches of the fictitious Hunter’s Hove, Houston shines as Bruce, a charming well-mannered guy with a dark side. He also has a supporting lead role alongside Jesse Metcalfe on the Hallmark Channel’s “A Beautiful Place to Die: A Martha’s Vineyard: Mystery.” On the Netflix TV series “Project MC2” Houston plays the role of Zach Clarke in eight episodes. He is also known for his work on The CW’s series “Arrow”, “i Zombie” and “Spooksville.”

Stevenson first discovered his love for acting at the tender age of five and by ten he was avidly making family movies. He studied at Shawnigan Lake School on Vancouver Island, while landing roles in local theatre productions. Upon graduating from high school Stevenson trained in the UK with renowned acting coach Andy Johnson. He then garnered a scholarship to (AMDA) the American Musical Dramatic Academy and went on to train with the acclaimed Ivana Chubbuck in Hollywood, California as well as Austin Tuck Studio and Rail Town Studio in Vancouver, B.C.

Growing up Houston split time living between London, England and Vancouver, B. C. Houston currently splits time residing in Los Angeles, California and Vancouver, as he is a dual citizen. He is a huge fan of the show Ghost Adventures and a nerd for documentaries and shows on the Paranormal. Living near the mountains he is an avid hiker and once got lost for a night out in the woods taking a wrong turn. 

Houston is available for interviews and photos upon request.

Please contact: Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Agent: Lesa Kirk | lesakirk@openentertainment.us | (323) 513-8335

Houston Stevenson social media links:

Mostafa Keshvari First Feature Film About COVID-19

Canadian Filmmaker Mostafa Keshvari is receiving international attention for his feature film Corona, the first feature film about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Corona will be released on September 1st on all major platforms worldwide

At a time when the Coronavirus was starting to make headlines, fast thinking Canadian filmmaker Mostafa Keshvari was in an elevator reading the headlines when he conceived, then wrote and shot the first acclaimed feature film to address the Coronavirus pandemic and Xenophobia that comes with it. Entitled Corona, the Coronavirus thriller was shot just before the shutdown. Mostafa wrote the script in two weeks, built the set in ten days then shot the feature in two days as the Covid-19 story was still unfolding. Filming wrapped on February 15, 2020. Corona had its world premiere at the Oscar qualifying Rhode Island international film festival on 4th of August 2020 where Mostafa won the Director’s Choice Award. Corona is being distributed by Level 33 Entertainment and will be available worldwide on September 1, 2020 on all major platforms including Apple Movies, Comcast, Spectrum, GooglePlay, Microsoft, Redbox and more.

Mostafa wrote, produced and directed Corona starring Andrea Stefancikova (Promiseland), as a blonde wife, Josh Blacker (The 100, See) as the building owner, Zarina Sterling as a millennial woman, Andy Canete as an indebted tenant, Richard Lett (Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story, Pay Up) as a white supremacist in a wheelchair and a seventh neighbor, and a Chinese newcomer played by Traei Tsai, of having the coronavirus and likely to infect them after she also boards the elevator. Shot in 2 days in one location (an elevator) in a single take before the pandemic, Corona looks at what happens when seven unlikely neighbours are trapped in an elevator with a Coronavirus suspect; fear and racism spread among them faster than the virus.  

The movie is about fear and “a study of society, people and moral choices, believing that we are all in this ride together.” Says Mostafa. “In real life, everyone faces discrimination, all different kinds, so if I could bring all these people together in the film and trap them,” he thought, “then their true colours would come out.” The actors were given a script but the director also left room for the actors to improvise. “I told them: Imagine that the actual coronavirus is in this elevator.” He wanted the action to unfold in real time. “My struggle was to make sure it was all one shot.” 

Mostafa Keshvari is an award-winning Iranian-born Canadian writer, director and producer based in Vancouver, British Columbia and is a member of Directors and Writers Guild of Canada. As a top graduate of Vancouver Film School he has over 50 IMDB Awards and 4 Leo Award nominations. He started his film-directing career in 2015. His first featured film Unmasked is about women’s rights, mandatory Hijab, and violence against women. The feature explore an immigrant couple in US after the Trump travel ban inspired by Muslim Ban movement around the globe. Unmasked has won numerous awards at international film festivals and is now available on Amazon in the US. 

His first short film I Ran was selected in Cannes Short Corner Film Festival in 2015.  His films mainly explore social issues on minorities and have been featured on The New York Times, The Hollywood Reporter, The Guardian, TIMES, BBC, CBC to name a few.  As the president of BC Minorities for Film and TV Society, Mostafa advocated for diversity and inclusion in film.

Mostafa’s films range from feature-length to short, and animation. As a well-rounded artist, Mostafa is also a published poet and a professional painter at the Federation of Canadian Artists.

Mostafa Keshvari is available for interviews upon request. 

For more information, interview requests and photos please contact: Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Official links and social media:

GrandMuse Pictures LTD  www.mostafakeshvari.com

Unmasked links:

David Oulton’s Talk Show

David Oulton’s new talk show Face to Face with David Premieres on Amazon Prime Video.  Guests included Carson Kressley, Perez Hilton, Vernee Watson, and Lawrence Pressman.

With TV viewers looking for new talk show content with many late night talk shows on hiatus, Face to Face with David talk show strikes an entertaining balance with educational and informative interviews.

David Oulton is pleased to announce that his new talk show Face to Face with David is now available on Amazon Prime Video in the US, UK, Germany and Japan. Face to Face with David strikes an entertaining balance between educational and informative interviews with a nice mix of household names, established Hollywood talent, emerging talent, and business people. With many late night talk shows on hiatus for the summer Face to Face with David will fill the gap. As David interviews his guests in his Versace housecoat he wants to help viewers get through Covid-19 with a smile and a nice glass of wine. Filming his guests at home has made the show a lot more personal and intimate as you get to see where his guests live, and a glimpse into their home life.

As David says “ I was losing my mind during COVID.” He got busy, as it was a great time to try a new venture and launch a new show. Within a few weeks, his team had signed a distribution agreement with Amazon Prime, hired a production team, and they had a much bigger show on their hands than anticipated. From concept to completion it took about eight weeks to film the first season. Guests were willing to help David get his show off the ground. The production team has accomplished so much with major credit going to the creative force behind the camera Luis Gonzalez, Candace Schmidt and Rae Farrer. 

Guests on the first season include Carson Kressley (Queer Eye, RuPaul’s Drag Race), Perez Hilton (Celebrity Big Brother UK, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here), Vernee Watson (Fresh Prince of Bel Air, General Hospital, The Big Bang Theory), Lawrence Pressman (Doogie Howser, Transparent, American Pie), Daniel Maguire (The Bachelorette, Ex on the Beach), Valorie Hubbard (Resident Evil: Extinction, Hannah Montana, Good Luck Charlie), Tom Johnson (The Daily Show, Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party), Laurie Cooper (The Real Housewives of New York City, Watch What Happens Live), Debra DiGiovanni (Last Comic Standing, MTV Video on Trial), April Lee Baker (Master Chef), Valerie Planche (Brokeback Mountain, Heartland, Wynonna Earp) to name a few.  

Filming during Covid-19 worked in David’s favor, as everyone was at home and available for an interview. The first season has given the show a track record to get interest for future episodes. The response from A-List Celebrities and the support from the entertainment industry has been very positive. The more famous and well known the guest, the more gracious they were. The general feedback from many of them was that they are interested, but wanted to wait until they aired the first season. David got nice replies from Kris Jenner, Madonna, Celine Dion, Vanessa Williams, Leslie Jordan and many more. 

David Oulton was born in Chester, England. His family moved to Fort McMurray Alberta when he was five years old. He found acting in school plays in Fort McMurray a really nice form of escapism as a way to just step into someone else’s life to escape from his own problems. He was legally adopted as an adult, a story was featured on a Shaw Spotlight show called Choosing Happiness. He graduated from high school in Fort McMurray then lived in Vancouver before settling in Calgary. Film has always been his escape through acting and being in front of the camera. 

David is blessed. He has met some very influential people that have helped him both with his life and career. He started in film professionally under the advice of Dame Judi Dench. She recommended that David should go to film school. David took an ‘Acting for Film’ program at the New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. From there the ball got rolling. He met Corbin Bernsen on a flight from Edmonton to Los Angeles who has been a great influence to David and helped to change the trajectory of his life. Corbin introduced him to his adopted mother, Lisa, who was executive producing a movie of his at the time and now serves as executive producer on Face to Face with David. He also introduced him to Lawrence Pressman, who has been David’s mentor and confidante for a decade. 

David’s acting credits include Beyond the Heavens where he met Corbin. He is also proud of his character in The Agreement that was nominated for a Governor General’s Award. His other acting credits include Fargo, Galaxy Trek, Guns of Purgatory, and more. 

David is currently in pre-production for the second season of Face to Face with David with a number of Canadian TV networks showing interest to broadcast once the season is complete. David feels that the Sky’s the Limit!

David Oulton is available for interviews and photos upon request.

Please contact: Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

David’s agent: Kelsea Forzani-Mannix | Kelsea@detailstalent.ca | 403-801-9555

Website and social media links.

Series Outline

Episode One – Carson Kressley and Debra DiGiovanniCarson talks about his career, starting with the casting process of Queer Eye, through to what he looks for when judging RuPaul’s Drag Race. Comedian Debra DiGiovanni walks through the stand up process, her dating life, and what it’s like to completely bomb in front of an audience. 


Episode Two – Vernee Watson and Helen GrahamEmmy winning actress Vernee Watson describes how she got started in the industry and shares hilarious anecdotes about her Emmy’s experiences. She also comments on the Black Lives Matters movement and the discrimination she has faced as a black actress. 
82 year old actress Helen Graham shares dating and sex advice for the younger generations.


Episode Three – Lawrence Pressman and April Lee BakerHollywood legend Lawrence Pressman talks about his career and how he doubts any aspiring actors would be able to achieve the level of success he managed to have. MasterChef’s April Lee Baker attempts to teach David how to cook, with hilarious results. 


Episode Four – Perez Hilton, Tom Johnson and Valerie PlanchePerez Hilton talks about the regrets he has from throughout his career, wishing he did things differently because he knows his children will suffer as a result, and the misconceptions about his supposed wealth. Writer Tom Johnson discusses his time on the Daily Show and writing comedy for late night television. Valerie Planche discusses the pros and cons of being a working actress outside of LA, and the discrimination she has faced being a “local” actress on major film sets. 


Episode Five – Emma Grace May, Laurie Cooper, and Amy HefEmma talks business and entrepreneurialism. She goes over the costs of starting a global fashion brand, and the obstacles she has overcome. NYC Realtor Laurie Cooper discusses her time on the Real Housewives of New York City and dishes on the cast, as well as her time on Watch What Happens Live. Singer-Song writer Amy Hef discusses how she receives no money at all from her music being featured on Keeping Up With the Kardashians and Vanderpump Rules. 


Episode Six – Daniel Maguire and Valorie HubbardDaniel discusses his time on the Bachelorette and Ex on the Beach, and also his Only Fans account. Valorie Hubbard gives advice to aspiring actors and shares some hilarious anecdotes about why she became a film actress. 

Malaika Jackson on Netflix

Stunning actress Malaika Jackson appears alongside Alicia Silverstone in The Baby-sitter’s Club TV Series released on Netflix July 3rd, 2020

Other credits include upcoming Little Fish, Flora & Ulysses, and past roles on Arrow.

Multi-talented actress Malaika Jackson has had a series of chance encounters with talent scouts that led her to become Miss Caribbean Canada, an MTV host/producer, to a career as a successful actress in film and television. Next up for this multi-talented actress is her role as Mrs. Papadakis in the new upcoming Netflix series The Baby-Sitter’s Club released on Netflix on July 3rd. 

The Baby-Sitter’s Club is based on the classic book series of the same name and one of the top-selling book series in history. It chronicles one summer in the lives of seven young women on the cusp of their teenage years, bound by friendships that will last a lifetime. Malaika plays the role of a outspoken parent named Mrs. Papadakis, and had the pleasure of working alongside Alicia Silverstone. In a bid to keep the TV version as timely as possible, episodes will broach topics including divorce, racism, and belonging. 

Other upcoming roles in 2020 for Malaika are the feature film Little Fish, which was originally scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. The film follows a couple’s fight to hold their relationship together as a memory loss virus spreads and threatens to erase the history of their love and courtship. She joins Olivia Cooke and Jack O’Connell in the role of a clinician who is attending to potential candidates seeking to partake in a trial vaccine for a memory loss virus that is plaguing humanity. Malaika will also play an animal control officer in the movie Disney Movie Flora & Ulysses airing on Disney Plus later this year,  Flora & Ulysses tells the story of a 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan, who saves a squirrel she names Ulysses only to have its unique superhero powers wreak havoc in a series of humorous and antic-filled adventures that ultimately change Flora’s life forever.

Other past television series and feature films include her role on Arrow as Sandra Hawke, as Michael Jai White’s stoic and fierce wife on The CW’s Arrow, i Zombie, Untold Stories of the ER in addition to a long run as an entertainment TV Host.

Synchronicity has played a big part in Malaika’s steps to stardom. Her road to being crowned Miss Caribbean Canada began when she was discovered by a pageant coach who approached her in a local McDonald’s and convinced her to give the pageant a shot. She was scouted at a period in her life when she was going through a tough time dealing with low self-worth, depression, being bullied, and struggling to come to terms with her parents’ painful separation. Malaika hadn’t even thought about entering a pageant but with encouragement from her mother, she entered and to her surprise, she won the award for most photogenic and was crowned Miss Caribbean Canada. This gave her the motivation to start believing in herself and her capabilities!

A segment on ELLEN gave Malaika the motivation she needed. Ellen DeGeneres premiered an emotional commercial that Malaika starred in for the Pyeong Chang Olympics called “Love over Bias”. Ellen stated that she thought the commercial was beautiful. That was the day that Malaika decided to take acting seriously and pursue her film/TV career!

Malaika has a soft spot for foster kids, as her mother took in and housed over 100 foster kids during her childhood. Malaika volunteered her time to help her mother as many kids came from very tumultuous and harsh backgrounds, which included traumatizing child abuse and neglect. It is her experience with making changes in her life from low self-esteem to growing a career in entertainment and helping foster kids that have Malaika expanding her speaking engagements to help others find their strength and passion to help turn their lives around.

Apart from being a beautiful and talented actress Malaika confesses to being a really good pool player. Not afraid of much, she has been bungee jumping. To stay in shape and for enjoyment, Malaika does mix martial arts: Taekwondo, Kick-Boxing, and Jujitsu. Malaika was born and raised in Toronto. After her fateful vacation, she now resides in Vancouver and spends time with her architect husband and two children.

Malaika is available for interviews and photos upon request.

Please contact: Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Agent: Melanie Hawthorne |  melanie@ptmtalent.com | 604.687.4909

Social media links:

Enderby Entertainment to Partner with Draganfly’s Safe Set Solutions

Enderby Entertainment to Partner with Draganfly’s Safe Set Solutions to Resume Film Production Post COVID-19 Lockdown

Los Angeles/Vancouver, BC – June 29, 2020 – Draganfly Inc. (CSE: DFLY) (OTCQB: DFLYF) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading technology developer and manufacturer, will partner with Enderby Entertainment LLC, an innovative story-driven motion picture and television production company to be the exclusive partner to offer Draganfly’s Safe Set Solutions to the global film and TV production industry. 

Draganfly’s Safe Set Solutions is a ground-based technology that uses symptom pre-screening, elevated body temperature measurement, and social distancing digital display to help ensure that everybody on the set is safe. Enderby, in addition to distributing the technology, has committed to purchase initial Safe Set Solutions for two productions slated to begin this summer: Firewatch and Legacy, both recently acquired feature films.

“We are continuing to look at innovative ways to operate in this new normal of film production, making health and safety the number one priority,” said Rick Dugdale, President and CEO of Enderby Entertainment.  “With crews eager to get back to work, we are focused on employing the best resources on our sets to ensure the safest possible environment. Draganfly’s technology could offer a solution for our industry, allowing cast and crew back on set while giving them the peace of mind that we are adhering to CDC and other health organization guidelines.”

Draganfly’s technology is a health and respiratory measurement platform used as a pre-screening tool to help identify possible infectious and respiratory conditions for the safety of film crews and workforces; as well as areas where people congregate such as airports, schools, shopping malls and other high traffic locations.  

The technology does not collect personal data or use facial recognition software, but rather the system is used to understand patterns and help global film productions companies make better decisions and react quicker to mitigate potential health threats.  

“While the world is starting to reopen their economies, the struggle for many industries to do this safely and effectively remains complicated,” said Cameron Chell, Draganfly CEO. “Partnering with Enderby to bring Safe Set Solutions to the film industry is a significant step to help Hollywood and the global film industry safely ramp up production. Film industry investors, insurance companies, unions and guilds are all seeking this type of solution to protect their investments and keep workers safe.”

About Enderby Entertainment

Founded in 2006 by partners Rick Dugdale and Daniel Petrie, Jr., Enderby Entertainment is a global film, television, financing and production company based in Beverly Hills, California. In nearly 13 years, the company has produced 17 feature films.  An innovative company steeped in diversified production experience worldwide, Enderby Entertainment puts storyline first and foremost, while ensuring that investors, filmmakers and talent are supported from production to release. For more, visit www.enderbyentertainment.com. 

Media Contact: Staci Griesbach | stacigriesbach@lunaworldwide.com

Canadian Media Contact: Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (CSE: DFLY; OTCQB: DFLYF; FSE: 3U8) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge UVS, hardware and software that revolutionize the way people do business. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 22 years, Draganfly is an award-winning, industry-leading technology developer and manufacturer serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, and mapping and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity, and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money, and lives.

For more information on Draganfly, please visit us at www.draganfly.com.
For additional investor information, visit https://www.thecse.com/en/listings/technology/draganfly-inc, https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/DFLYF/overview or https://www.boerse-frankfurt.de/aktie/draganfly-inc.

Media Contact: Arian Hopkins | media@draganfly.com

Company Contact: info@draganfly.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current outbreak of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 on the Company’s business, operations and financial condition, the successful integration of technology, the inherent risks involved in the general securities markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions, liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The CSE has not in any way passed upon the merits of the listing of the common shares of Draganfly and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Listing of the common shares of Draganfly is subject to satisfaction of the listing requirements of the CSE, including customary deliverables in satisfaction of the conditional approval.

Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story Release June 2020

 COMEDY DYNAMICS WILL RELEASE THE DOCUMENTARY ‘NEVER BE DONE: THE RICHARD GLEN LETT STORY’ ON JUNE 16, 2020

This raw documentary follows controversial stand-up comedian Richard Lett’s private struggle of addiction that sabotaged his promising career; he lost everything, but lived to tell the tale.

Filmmaker Roy Tighe is pleased to announce that the documentary Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story will be distributed by Comedy Dynamics (a Nacelle Company), the biggest independent comedy distributor in the world, on June 16, 2020. The documentary will be released for rental and purchase on the following platforms: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies, AppleTV, Google Play, Vimeo, Microsoft XBOX, Direct TV, Breaker, Comcast, Cox Communications, Dish and Xfinity – and on other platforms after June 30th, 2020.

Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story chronicles the seven-year journey of Richard Lett, a once-respected Canadian comedian whose addiction to drugs and alcohol lead to him becoming homeless, estranged from his daughter, and shunned by his community. Director Roy Tighe followed the infamous Canadian comedian for 7 years who’s been banned from club after club across Canada before falling into a spiral of alcohol, drugs and homelessness that almost took his career, dignity and life. The documentary had successful screenings at the Whistler Film Festival, Vancouver’s Just For Laughs Film Festival and took home top prize at the Studio City Film Festival for Best Documentary.

Since shooting the documentary Richard has turned his life around. After a long hiatus from acting he is back in demand. Most recently  he played the role of Dennis in the film All Joking Aside, about a young woman struggling to make it in stand-up comedy. His performance was described as a “delight”. Lett also plays the role of “despicable Richard” in the movie Corona, a story about seven people trapped in an elevator who realize that one of them has COVID-19.Corona is thought to be the first film about the 2019–20 coronavirus pandemic.

“There’s the truth an individual believes and then there’s the truth the camera sees,” said director Roy Tighe about what he learned from making the film.

The camera captures Lett sabotaging his promising career, losing everything. Director Roy Tighe’s commitment to presenting Lett’s highest and lowest moments ultimately presents a message of personal redemption, and shines a poignant light on the intensely private struggle of addiction. After his successful Recovery and Rehabilitation, a newly invigorated Lett reinvented himself by writing and touring a new hit solo show “Sober But Never Clean” performing it over sixty times in comedy clubs, theatre festivals, treatment centers and recovery conventions to rave reviews and standing ovations. 

“One of my favourite parts of being in the entertainment industry is seeing how stories can impact and inspire people to believe in themselves and do a greater good for themselves or their community. I truly believe this is one of those stories,” said Brian Volk-Weiss, Founder and CEO of Comedy Dynamics.

The Story Of The Film

In the summer of 2009, filmmaker Roy Tighe and comedian Richard Lett were ejected from a Vancouver nightclub. Richard started a verbal altercation with the club owner and was promptly told to take his cameraman and leave. Never one to pass up an opportunity, Roy began filming Lett in his day-to-day life and quickly learned that all was not right in the brash comedian’s world. So set in motion the saga of Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story.

Not merely a tale of one man’s downfall, Never Be Done is the story of Richard Lett’s struggle to forge a new life in the same environment that brought him down so completely. The movie was filmed with candid intimacy and filled with raw, authentic, uncensored archival footage and poignant testimonials from Richard’s friends, family and fellow comedians.

Director’s Story

Roy Tighe: “In 2003, I dabbled in the Vancouver stand up comedy circuit, performing and working with other comics. During my small stint at stand up comedy I was aware of Richard Lett due to his infamous reputation on and off stage. I was always intrigued to work with Richard, if the opportunity arose. In 2009, I was introduced to Richard through a mutual friend and fellow comedian. I had been living in Vancouver for 9 years at the time, and had my own reputation for producing comedy content for the web. Richard and I originally met to talk about shooting a live one-man show he was working on. The next night we met at a local comedy club to shoot some stand up footage. That did not happen. We, instead, were ejected from the comedy club. Richard had started a verbal altercation with the club owner and was promptly told to take his cameraman and leave. Standing now in the rain out front of the comedy club, I still wanted to capture something. So right there on the street for pedestrians to watch, Richard performed one of his poetry slams. That night I saw something special in Richard and that moment became the opening sequence to this story. Never one to pass up an opportunity, I began filming Richard in his day-to-day life, and quickly learned that all was not right in this brash comedian’s world. As I followed Richard, recording the collapse of his career and his struggle with addiction, he became homeless. I felt a divine obligation to stick it out with Richard. Even though this was a dark, brutal time in this man’s life, I also was blessed to witness Richard find the miracle of recovery. This 7 year journey that I went on with Richard makes for a beautiful story to what’s called “Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story.”

Director Roy Tighe Bio

Canadian filmmaker Roy Tighe has been mentored by two time Oscar nominee, Bud Smith the Oscar nominated editor of The Exorcist and Flashdance. Roy is currently a working director in Los Angeles directing numerous short films, web series and commercials. Working for such brands as Alcatel, TCL and Coors Light totalling well over 500 videos. Roy’s first film, Where’s Barry? was released on VOD in December 2016. Previously, Roy had spent time performing as a stand-up comedian, which led to his introduction to Richard Lett, the subject of his first feature Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story.  Roy was born and raised in Fort Frances in Northern Ontario.

Richard Glen Lett Bio

Finding a home in the stand-up comedy scene in Vancouver, Richard began making a name for himself with his brash, unapologetic style of jokes and crowd interaction. After years of honing his skills on the stage, Lett found himself headlining tours for Yuk Yuk’s. In the mid 90’s Richard was a subject in the CBC’s Road Warriors, a documentary television series about the lives of touring stand-up comedians. 

Never quite a household name, Richard Lett has become a sort of journeyman of the Canadian comedy scene over the past thirty years, respected by his fellow comedians and sought out by die-hard comedy fans. In the time since he began his career in stand-up, Richard has tried his hand at poetry, writing, and acting, landing small roles on the TV shows Supernatural, Dark Angel, and The Firm, and as a playwright he has received two Jessie Richardson Award nominations for “Most Outstanding Original Play.”

Richard received a rare standing ovation at the London Poetry Slam for his one-man show “Sober But Never Clean”. His performance was described as such: “Richard grabbed our audience’s attention and didn’t let go. His ability to make the crowd laugh and reflect simultaneously by sharing intimate personal stories mixed with hilarious jokes is unparalleled. He has a unique talent in rolling poetry, comedy, and storytelling together.” Most recently, Richard is preparing to debut his new solo show “One Nut Only” detailing his successful battle with testicular cancer, at the 2020 Vancouver Fringe Festival, and recently starred in the film “Corona” featured in the New York Times, a story addressing xenophobia and the pandemic.

About Comedy Dynamics:

Founded by Brian Volk-Weiss, Comedy Dynamics, a Nacelle company, is the largest independent comedy production and distribution company. The company is behind the reboot of Mad About You featuring Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt, and has produced Netflix’s Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History, Netflix’s The Toys That Made Us, Netflix’s The Movies That Made Us, Jim Gaffigan: Noble Ape, The CW’s Discontinued, Animal Planet’s Animal Nation with Anthony Anderson, the scripted comedy on Hulu There’s… Johnny!, History’s Join Or Die with Craig Ferguson, MTV2’s Wild ’N On Tour, Hulu’s Coming To The Stage, and unannounced projects for Disney+, BET+ and more. Comedy Dynamics began releasing original films in theaters and released the acclaimed independent film Slut in a Good Way in Spring of 2019. In 2017 the Comedy Dynamics Network (CDN) launched and currently distributes specials, television shows and films to all major transactional platforms such as iTunes, Amazon, Google, PlayStation, Xbox and most major telco & satellite providers, including AT&T, Comcast, Charter, Dish, and Verizon.  The company has worked with a wide range of established and emerging comedic talent including Tiffany Haddish, Kevin Hart, Aziz Ansari, Jim Gaffigan, Ali Wong, David Cross, and many more. 17 Comedy Dynamics releases have been Grammy-nominated (with four wins), including all 5 in the Comedy Album category for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019.

Never Be Done will be release for rental and purchase on the following platforms on June 16, 2020: Amazon Prime Video, YouTube Movies, AppleTV, Google Play, Vimeo, Microsoft XBOX, Direct TV, Breaker, Comcast, Cox Communications, Dish and Xfinity.   Available on other platforms after June 30th, 2020.

Roy Tighe and Richard Glen Lett are available for interviews upon request.

For more information, photos, interviews please contact:

Lesley Diana | Lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca| 604-726-5575

Social Media: 

Emmanuelle Vaugier COVID-19 Lockdown

Actor Emmanuelle Vaugier is creatively inspired during the COVID-19 lockdown

Her Instagram/Youtube series ‘If I were on Ellen’ and The Fluffball are inspiring

Emmanuelle Vaugier is a versatile actor who simply sizzles when it comes to portraying those feisty female leads who like to stir things up a bit. Vaugier may be best known for her popular role as Charlie Sheen’s ex-fiancée Mia on the award-winning CBS comedy ‘Two and a Half Men’. For three seasons she also played Detective Jessica Angell on ‘CSI: NY’, leaving fans devastated when her role came to an end. Most recently Emmanuelle starred in the Lifetime movie Dying for Motherhood and guest roles on MacGyver and Magnum P. I.

While many of us are letting the COVID-19 pandemic get us down, Emmanuelle is inspired to do things that she hasn’t had time for.   


IF I WERE ON ELLEN…


While most people are wondering what do with their time during the pandemic, Emmanuelle finds that being forced to stay home with little distraction has actually been a blessing.  She has never felt more creatively inspired.  That’s not to say she didn’t have her own little internal tantrums and issues adjusting at first, but it happened pretty quickly.  In the past, posting on social media consisted mostly of selfies and the occasional video with her animals, and fundraising for her non-profit, The Fluffball Charity. 

Emmanuelle has stepped out of her comfort zone and put herself out there in a new way by creating, developing and hosting her fun take on how she would attract Ellen’s attention to want her as a guest on the Ellen TV Show.  You’d think this would be easy, as she is so used to being interviewed on and off camera.… but for Emmanuelle, it was super scary!  She couldn’t rely on someone else to guide the interview, or lose herself in a character that was created for her, with words that someone else wrote.  It was just a cell phone, a ring light and Emmanuelle. 

“When the idea for ‘If I were on Ellen’ first came up, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.  I would stay up at night, mind racing.  I knew I just had to go for it, and I’m so glad I did.  It’s something I look forward to working on everyday.  I think, part of it, is that it gives me some control over my circumstances… everything is so uncertain at the moment… but I know that this is something that I am certain about.  I’m also having a blast.  There’s no pressure, I do what I want, when I want… and if I don’t like something… I change it, come up with something new.  It’s given me a tremendous amount of satisfaction, and also, purpose.  Who knows what will come of it, I really have no expectations.  As long as I’m having fun, maybe bring a smile and a giggle to at least one person out there, I’m a happy girl!” https://www.instagram.com/p/B_04sjxhRaJ/

THE FLUFFBALL 

Off-screen, Emmanuelle is an avid animal lover. A project that is very close to her heart is her own 501c3 charitable foundation The Fluffball, which raises money for various animal charities through her annual cocktail event. A dedicated equestrian, Emmanuelle competes on her horse Bunny. Emmanuelle paints to express her creativity and contributes a major portion of her sales to the many charitable animal rescue organizations she supports.  She recently started sewing masks from home to donate to those in need as well as raise money for Feeding America.

Early 2020, she had begun the planning process for her next event that she planned to have at the end of this year.  With the recent changes, she has had to rethink and refocus.  During the Australia wildfires, she raised over $3000 online, for relief efforts.  Focusing on online fundraising campaigns for specific animal causes, local and abroad is the direction she is taking.  Animal welfare is a cause that is close to her heart and that she will continue to fight for.

One of the roles that Emmanuelle connected to most was playing a woman who rescues animals in ‘Susie’s Hope’, a role for which she won best actress at the Greensville International Film Festival.

BUNNY

Bunny is the first horse Emmanuelle has ever owned, and she is THE BEST!!!  “I am so proud of how far she’s come.  I don’t think I’ve ever met a kinder, more willing horse.  I feel very lucky that during this pandemic, I’ve been able to ride and spend time with her.  She’s a chestnut Dutch Warmblood, with a flaxen mane and tail, and stands 16.3 hh.  She was a broodmare for 10 years, had 8 babies, and when they couldn’t get her in foal again, they decided to sell her.  She was a project… coming to us about 250-300lbs overweight.  Slowly but surely, we got her going, and at our first horse show ever together, after only 4 months under saddle, we were champion at the HITS Thermal show in the .80 jumpers.”  Emmanuelle adds,  “I was soooooo proud. She continues to take great care of me and impress me every single day!”

This stunning actor breathes life into her vain and dangerously sociopathic character in the role of The Morrigan on the innovative series ‘Lost Girl’. Other television appearances include her guest roles on ‘The Mentalist’, ‘Big Shots’, ‘Mistresses’ and ‘Supernatural’. She was the lead character Jane in the two-hour pilot of the adaptation of the comic “Painkiller Jane”, and had a starring role in the ‘Master of Horror’ series directed by John Carpenter. Vaugier’s other television credits include UPN‘s hit series ‘Veronica Mars’, and a starring role in the WB comedy ‘My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star’. She portrayed Dr. Helen Bryce, Lex Luthor’s wife, on the WB’s hit drama ‘Smallville’. She also appeared in recurring roles on ‘One Tree Hill’, ‘Covert Affairs’, and the FOX series ‘Human Target’. 

‘It’s Christmas, Carol!’ marked another starring role for Emmanuelle, opposite Carrie Fisher, and won her a Leo Award. Emmanuelle also stars in ‘Absolute Deception’ alongside Cuba Gooding Jr. Vaugier’s feature film endeavors are impressive. Her credits include ‘Saw II’, ‘Saw IV’, ‘Secondhand Lions’ with Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, and ‘40 Days and 40 Nights’, with Josh Hartnett, to name a few.

Emmanuelle’s inner and outer beauty shines through as she is among the select group of women to be on ‘Maxim‘s Top 100’ list twice. She was also named fifth on Femme Fatal magazine’s 50 Sexiest Women on the Planet’, and was named ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’ for the sixth time by Smartasses Magazine. Emmanuelle has graced the covers of Maxim, Femme Fatal, Dolce Vita, Flare, UMM, Status, Modern Dog, LA Health, Vancouver View, Vancouver Lifestyles, Western Living Condo, Donato, Steppin’ Out and Infamous.

Emmanuelle is available for interviews, photographs and appearances upon request.

Photo Credits: Emmanuelle with Bunny by Kristin Lee & Headshot by Brandi Shaeffer

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For more information, photographs, or interview requests, please contact:

Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca |  604-726-5575

Artaban Production, Eddy’s Kingdom Streaming Hot Docs Festival Online

Artaban Productions is pleased to announce its documentary Eddy’s Kingdom, about Canada’s first terrorist, has been selected by Hot Docs Festival and will be streaming on Hot Docs Festival Online from May 28 to June 6, 2020.

Eddy’s Kingdom has 4 Leo Award Nominations for Best Feature Length Documentary, Best Direction for Greg Crompton, Best Screenwriting and Best Picture Editing

Artaban Productions is pleased to announce that the documentary Eddy’s Kingdom has been selected to screen at Toronto’s Hot Docs Festival. Produced by Greg Crompton and Tony Cerciello, this is director Greg Crompton’s feature documentary directorial debut. Eddy’s Kingdom is an eighty-five minute archival documentary recounting the previously untold story of Canada’s most monomaniacal entrepreneur and Canada’s first terrorist Eddy Haymour and the extreme, stranger-than-fiction methods he pursued to construct an island theme park in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. It focuses on a Lebanese-Canadian immigrant who straddles two cultures, and who, in an effort to realize his dream, staged a week-long hostage taking in the Canadian Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

Hot Docs Festival Online will run from May 28 to June 6, 2020.  Viewers can stream doc premieres, enjoy pre-recorded filmmaker Q&As & more all from the comfort of home and available at www.hotdocs.ca. 

Starting May 21, ticket package holders will be able to book their films and Hot Docs Members will be able to purchase single tickets at www.hotdocs.ca. Single tickets will go on sale to the general public starting May 26. Tickets are $9 per film ($8 for Hot Docs Members). All films will be available to stream starting May 28. As at the live Hot Docs Festival, only a limited number of tickets are available for each film. Films will be geo-blocked to the province of Ontario

Eddy Haymour is a barber, an eccentric entrepreneur, a psychiatric patient, a kidnapper, and a hostage taker. A controversial character, Eddy has been called both madman and visionary. The historical narrative follows Eddy’s arrival in Edmonton from Lebanon. The story zeros in on a series of events that took place in British Columbia in the ‘70s and ‘80s. It starts with a government conspiracy that blocked the construction of his island theme park. The subsequent fallout is chronicled: the kidnapping of his children, the attempts to send letter bombs to his enemies, his incarceration in Riverview Psychiatric Hospital, his plan to bomb the provincial legislature, his hostage taking in Lebanon, and eventual vindication by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. Today, his fruitless quest continues as he attempts to confront the current BC government to get his island back.

Although Eddy finally wins in court, it is a pyrrhic victory. He doesn’t get the island back. His obsession with getting it back led him to take hostages, plan attacks on the government, and lose his sanity.  His youngest daughter from his second marriage, Fadwa, helps him navigate a government bureaucracy that is beyond his ability. With all of his other family members estranged, Fadwa is the final connection for Eddy to a life once full of success and love. 

Today, his fruitless quest continues as he attempts to confront the current BC government to get his island back. His narcissism will not allow him to see the obvious fact that there is no chance of ever getting the island back. This documentary draws a portrait of an obsessed man lost in delusions of justice.

Director, Greg Crompton grew up in Kelowna, British Columbia and boated by Rattlesnake Island numerous times. Eddy’s Kingdomis Greg’s first feature documentary as a solo director. He was always amazed that a man had picked up an AK-47 and held a bunch of hostages over this insignificant, albeit beautiful, speck of land in the Okanagan Lake. The story itself was murky, no one seemed to have it straight. Was Eddy a victim or a terrorist? Was his dream really an amusement park in the middle of a lake? Were the letter bombs real?

Greg’s directorial vision was simple: tell all sides of the story with Eddy as the primary storyteller. It was his story but other voices would be needed in order to create an accurate narrative. Taking Eddy’s point of view wasn’t meant to excuse his actions, but to give voice to someone who had been maligned for decades.

“My goal was to put the audience in an awkward position: a closeness to both a perpetrator of violence and a victim of a conspiracy. It was key that the audience get all the necessary information to pass judgement. I wanted the audience to feel conflicted as to how they ultimately viewed Eddy,” says Greg. “I mixed archival media along with ‘created’ archival media to heighten this experience of subjective truth versus objective truth, of factual truth versus emotional truth. Ultimately, there are no villains in this story; there are no heroes. This is a bizarre tale centred on a complex character, and the audience is right in the middle of it. There is no resolution for Eddy. I wanted to activate the audience. I wanted them to have to pass judgement on a man and his actions.”

Greg has directed, produced, and written award-winning short films, documentaries, and TV shows around the globe. He got his start shooting and directing mini-documentaries in Europe and Africa. He then went on to produce a series of TV shows called VJIAM.tv, Go For Gold TV, and Project Green Generation TV. His forays into directing have won awards for the feature documentary Guns to Mics and the short documentary Listening to a Sense of Place. His most recent project was directing the documentary show BC Was Awesome season 3, released in fall 2019. 

Greg Crompton is available for interviews. Screeners are available upon request.

Please contact Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

Eddy’s Kingdom trailer: https://vimeo.com/299311154 

The full list of participating films can be found here: Hot Docs Festival Online.