FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saskatchewan Goes to Slamdance
January 16, 2008
After premiering last fall at the Toronto International Film Festival, a short drama by Saskatchewan filmmaker Adam Budd will have its inaugural American screening at the 2008 Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
The Whole Day Through follows a young couple (Mark and Mel) over one day in the starkly beautiful prairie landscape. When an event from the past puts their future in doubt, they must decide what to forgive and forget.
Out of Nowhere
The project is the latest release from Arid Sea Films, a director-driven production company founded in rural Southwest Saskatchewan, Canada. In a region known for oil, livestock, and grain production, the seriousness of making movies was initially viewed with skepticism.
The company, made up of childhood friends Adam Budd, Simon Nakonechny and Lea Nakonechny, had to fight the perception that filmmaking was not a real job. “We were a bit of a novelty in our hometown," explains Director Adam Budd. "Our office was right between a hairdresser and an accountant so people would drop in out of curiosity just to ask what we did all day. But after a while most people got used to us and were really supportive."
Although the trio now lives in Montreal, they plan on shooting their next several projects back home.
Off to Park City
Now they’re off to Park City, Utah for the Whole Day Through’s U.S. debut at Slamdance. Running concurrently to Sundance, the festival has become an important place for the discovery of emerging filmmaking talent. “It’s an honour to be screening at Slamdance,” says Budd. “The festival has an amazing reputation and we’re looking forward to taking in the whole Park City experience.”
The Whole Day Through will screen twice during the festival as part of Shorts Block 4: Sunday, January 20th at 11 AM and Wednesday, January 23rd at 2:30 PM. Both screenings are at the Treasure Mountain Inn (255 Main Street, Park City). Check out the film's page on the Slamdance website to buy tickets, see video clips & pictures and follow a special festival blog by director Adam Budd.
About the Film
“Measured and sophisticated cinematography complement Adam Budd’s artful direction of his first 35mm short.”
-Alex Rogalski, programmer, Toronto International Film Festival
“The film creates its own sense of time and yet seems more realistic and lyrical with every moment. Its scenes pass effortlessly like a dream, or a memory suddenly recalled.”
-Andrew Piccone, programmer, Slamdance Film Festival
The film's official website: www.aridsea.com/twdt
The Whole Day Through was produced with the financial participation of the Saskatchewan Filmpool Cooperative, SaskFilm, the Saskatchewan Arts Board and the National Film Board of Canada FAP.
About Adam Budd
Adam Budd is from Swift Current, a small prairie city in the southwest corner of Saskatchewan, Canada. He first attended community college in his hometown before moving on to the University of Regina, where he studied Film Production. In 2003 he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, winning several awards for his student work. Along with a love of cinema, Adam is also involved in the production of video art and performance. He is currently living in Montreal where he is immersed in the study of French.
About Arid Sea Films
Arid Sea Films is a small production company based in Swift Current, Saskatchewan comprised of Adam Budd, Simon Nakonechny and Lea Nakonechny. In 2005 the company's first film Two Museums (dir. Lea Nakonechny) took home awards at 2 U.S. festivals and was released commercially in 18 Saskatchewan movie theatres as part of an historic distribution initiative celebrating the provincial centennial. Their second production the Whole Day Through (dir. Adam Budd) premiered at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.
Contact During the Festival
Adam Budd (director)
tel: (306) 529-5899
adam@aridsea.com
Simon Nakonechny (producer)
simon@aridsea.com
www.aridsea.com