Coming Soon, an ongoing editorial feature from Playback, highlights the distribution strategies for soon-to-be-released Canadian films. Here, we speak to director Brigitte Berman about the release strategy for The River of My Dreams: A Portrait of Gordon Pinsent.

The film: The River of My Dreams: A Portrait of Gordon Pinsent tells the life story of one of Canada’s most iconic actors. From his early days in Newfoundland to trying to make it big in Toronto to his decades-long career, Pinsent and his close friends and family reflect on his life and legacy. The film was shot over the course of three years. Special effects, including motion-capture animation to depict Pinsent’s early life, was only just completed in January.

Production/distribution credits: The film is directed by Brigitte Berman, who produced alongside her husband Victor Solnicki as well as Daniel Pellerin. Bridge Film Productions Inc. is distributing. Former VP, theatrical operations at eOne Tim Smythe-Bishop is booking the film, while Kinosmith’s Robin Smith is serving as a distribution consultant.

The film is dedicated to Solnicki, who died on the afternoon of its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. At the time of that screening, the motion capture animation was not yet completed.

Theatrical: The River of My Dreams will open in Toronto at the Ted Rogers Hot Docs Cinema on Jan. 27, following a run on the festival circuit, which included TIFF and the Atlantic Film Festival. Following its Toronto run, the film will have a special public screening at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on Feb. 15 as part of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebration. Berman told Playback Daily that she and her filmmaking team specifically aimed to get the film ready in time for the sesquicentennial celebrations. “This is like an anniversary present to Canada,” she said. After it screens in Ottawa, the film will open at Cineplex theatres in Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary and Vancouver on Feb. 17.

In addition to its theatrical release, TIFF’s Film Circuit is organizing screenings of the film in smaller communities across Canada, including Aurora, ON, Hudson, QC and Wolfville, NS.

Target audience: Berman said the obvious audience for the film is the generation who grew up watching Pinsent on shows like Quentin Durgens, M.P or Street Legal. But the movie also targets the generation who may have been introduced to him through Sarah Polley’s 2006 Oscar-nominated film Away from Her. “I made it for the older generation, but also for the younger generation, because I wanted to introduce them to this incredible actor who is one of Canada’s greats, and to this story of inspiration. To have a dream is truly important. If you want to make it you really have to have a dream and you’ve got to go for it.”

Marketing: The filmmakers aim to capitalize on the Canada 150 buzz and the film’s star (who Berman calls “more Canadian than the Maple Leaf”)  in its promotion efforts. Pinsent and Berman have both been doing interviews for the film in advance of its release, including a heavy media push during TIFF. They’ve also brought on board a social media manager to run the film’s campaign on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. The Hot Docs Theatre is also hosting a contest for tickets to a screening, which its promoting through its social channels.

Additional windows: The film was originally picked up by The Super Channel, but following its creditor protection filing, the film’s contract was cancelled, Berman said. The film will have a life on television following its theatrical run, however. An 88-minute cut of the 104-minute documentary will air on CBC and Hollywood Suite has also picked up the film for an additional window, though air dates have not been confirmed.

Budget/financing: River of My Dreams had a budget of roughly $850,000. It was produced with the assistance of the CMF, Telefilm Canada and Rogers Group of Funds Theatrical Documentary Program, Rogers Cable Network Fund, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and OMDC.

Image courtesy of TIFF