Feature Film Being Shot at Upper Canada Village
June 21, 2013Cornwall Ontario – Visitors to Upper Canada Village near Cornwall might be surprised to find the world-class attraction a little busier than usual. The Village is currently hosting a film company that is shooting Tell the World, a feature film that brings to life the story of how the Seventh Day Adventist Church began.
“We expect the film company to be here for about 1 month, and they are adding an additional element of excitement associated with a major movie production.,” said Susan Le Clair, Manager, Customer Service & Corporate Communications with the St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “Of course our regular visitors are still able to come, visit and enjoy the Upper Canada Village experience.”
When scouting locations, director Kyle Portbury was excited with what he found at Upper Canada Village.
“We discovered a pioneer village in Canada that is practically perfect to tell our story in,” says Mr Portbury. “The look and feel is not only mid 1800’s New England, but being a ‘living history’ village there is a high level of authenticity that you only get when people plough a field every year with 170-year-old equipment or still bake bread in an original 1840’s bakery. We think the set alone will transport the audience back in time.”
The Australian film has a $5-million budget and almost all actors and production crew are from Ottawa and Eastern Ontario. Hundreds of local extras will also take part in the film. The film is expected to be released in 2014-15.
“It is great to see so many local actors and crew being a part of the film,” said Ms. Le Clair. “We are always open to film crews looking for an authentic location for period films.”
Within the historical context of an 1860s community, Upper Canada Village features fully operational farms, factories and mills, as well as furnished homes, trade shops and professional establishments. It has proven to be a popular location choice for several film choices over the past three decades.
In addition to directing, Mr. Portbury also wrote the screenplay to Tell the World. He was born in Melbourne, Australia and has a number of film credits, including the award-winning documentary The Mountain Within and 2011’s Beyond the Search, which won 14 international awards.
About Upper Canada Village
Upper Canada Village transports visitors back in time to the 1860s. It is one of the largest living-history sites in Canada, depicting life in a rural English Canadian setting during the year 1866. Featured are over forty historical buildings, many moved here prior to flooding of the “Lost Villages” during the St. Lawrence Seaway development project. These include homes, functioning mills and trades workshops, demonstrated by knowledgeable staff dressed in clothing of the period. Upper Canada Village is situated next to the War of 1812 Battle of Crysler Farm site, visitor centre, and memorial.
Upper Canada Village is located just a short 30 minute drive west of Cornwall, and 45 minutes south of Ottawa.
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