While Canadian cinema contends with extended closures from across the nation, one film has plucked a success story out of a surprise market.

Directed and produced by Canada’s Sean Cisterna, From the Vine has crossed the NZ$100,000 mark at the box office in New Zealand following its opening on Jan. 7. As of Sunday (Jan. 24), the film has earned NZ$101,722 (approximately $93,220).

From the Vine is based on the novel Finding Marco by Ken Cancellara, which follows an Italian-Canadian man who vies to save a local vineyard on a trip to the small village where he grew up. It is produced by Cisterna under his Mythic Productions Banner, Kyle Bornais of Winnipeg prodco Farpoint Films, Cancellara, Francesco Papa and Paula Brancati, and was written by Willem Wennekers.

New Zealand is the first market to see a theatrical release for From the Vine. London-based distributor Parkland Pictures plans to open the film in other markets, including the U.K., Ireland, Australia once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, and the film is also expected to release in Italy.

Audiences in New Zealand have resonated with the film because it “offers that travel experience that we all collectively yearn for,” Cisterna told Playback Daily in a statement. Tom Stewart, acquisitions director at Parkland Pictures, added that a film set in Italy is a timely and feel-good reminder of the simple pleasures in life.

From the Vine was released on VOD in Canada by Vortex Media (previously A71) on July 10, and in the U.S. on Oct. 9 by Samuel Goldwyn Films. It spent three weeks as the top Canadian film on the iTunes film chart, and hit the No. 6 spot on the U.S. indie film digital download chart.

Canadian horror makes a splash in limited release

Closer to home, Steve Kostanski’s horror-comedy PG: Psycho Goreman has found success in its limited theatrical release in North America.

The film grossed US$44,500 in its opening weekend (Jan. 22) and hit the No. 15 spot in the North American box office. However, its average gross came to $988 per theatre, which was the second-highest average of the weekend. It opened in 45 theatres overall.

The film, which follows two kids who accidentally resurrect an ancient alien overlord, is distributed by AMC Networks-owned RLJE Films in the U.S. and Raven Banner Entertainment in Canada. It will make its streaming debut on horror SVOD Shudder later this year.