Production to begin on New Zealand-US feature film

Production to begin on New Zealand-US feature film Before the Darkness

Horror-thriller Before the Darkness, from Kiwi-American producer Wendy Benge and New Zealand writer-director Alex Galvin, begins production in Wellington on 12 March.

The film marks the first feature collaboration between Benge’s production company Bullet Entertainment and the New Zealand screen industry, in keeping with plans developed with Admit One NZ and Screen Wellington to attract US productions and talent to the country.

“Bringing US and New Zealand talent together is an ideal scenario. There’s so much we can learn from each other while creating a film that will appeal to both domestic and foreign audiences,” says Galvin.

The film’s male lead, US actor, artist and musician Zach Touchon (Checkmate), has arrived in Wellington ahead of shooting, to participate in location development at the stunning Kaitoke Regional Park (a.k.a. Rivendell from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies).

“What attracted me to this film, aside from shooting in a cinematically beautiful country, is the opportunity to work with the incredible talent and creative minds in New Zealand. I was able to connect with my character and the complex, contemporary issues that he faces. He’s conflicted and battling his own mind to determine what is right and what is wrong.” says Touchon.

Set in a New Zealand forest, Before the Darkness tells the story of a family who must face their own demons and unleash their primal instincts in order to survive unspeakable horror.

“The film takes interconnecting storylines and multiple protagonists to keep the audience in suspense,” says Benge. “This is the first of many genre films I intend to produce here, helping to improve the sustainability of New Zealand’s mid-tier screen economy.”

“Film distribution has changed considerably over the past few years, allowing more opportunities for independent films - particularly genre films - to target specific audiences, generating the sales to enable future productions,” says James Partridge of Admit One NZ.

Benge’s recent US feature film, the psychological thriller Broken Vows, starring Wes Bently (Interstellar, The Hunger Games, American Beauty), Jamie Alexander (Thor, Thor: The Dark World), and Cam Gigandet (Twilight), has been acquired by Lionsgate for a US release this year.

Alongside Benge, Galvin and Touchon, Before the Darkness has also attracted former Weta Workshop wizard Gareth McGhie (The Lord of the Rings trilogy, District 9, The Lovely Bones, Avatar), US Executive Producer’s David Hillary (American Psycho, The Virgin Suicides, Dog Eat Dog, Broken Vows) and James Agnew (Broken Vows, Rage), along with Producer Sharon Roggio (House of Cards, Whip It, Red Dawn, Parks and Recreation).

An internship collaboration between Bullet Entertainment and the Wellington Institute of Technology, spearheaded by Teriu Lemon and Benge, will see WelTec students gain first-hand experience in various production departments on this international co-production.

Production on Before the Darkness will take place both in March and November this year. The female lead is being kept under wraps until the November shoot.

ENDS

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