A MAYOR'S WELCOME
'stuck' feature shooting in saint john
L to R - producer Sam Grana, producer Ken Gord, and actress Mena Suvari
Oct 31, Saint John – STUCK, a macabre film starring distinguished Irish screen actor Stephen Rea (V FOR VENDETTA / BREAKFAST ON PLUTO / THE CRYING GAME) and American actress Mena Suvari (RUMOR HAS IT / AMERICAN BEAUTY) is now filming, it was announced at a City Hall press conference.
Mayor Norm McFarlane (photo - L) welcomed New Brunswick based producer Sam Grana (photo - below), Ms. Suvari, and Toronto producer Ken Gord to his Red Room at City Hall with a smile, a firm handshake, and a reminder that Saint John is open for business, and that film is good business.
Grana, not one to let an opportunity slide by, reminded invited guests that the film industry is one with a high economic return for a community. As an example, for every dollar a production spends, a multiplier effect of three dollars is realized by the community through suppliers and spin-off businesses. He also spoke highly of Saint John’s receptiveness to film endeavours, and, later, of his belief that newly minted premier Shawn Graham is a person of vision who can make a difference in growing the film industry.
“I have over fifty people on my crew on this film, from New Brunswick. Imagine that. Over fifty people! And, I’m proud of that, damn it! We’ve hired over 2100 person days, and will be spending over $2-million in six weeks,” beams Grana, “and there are eight speaking roles from New Brunswick, most of whom are from the Saint John area.”
Sam Grana, Producer
STUCK is based on true events in Texas where a woman drove home from a nightclub, hitting a man who became embedded in her windshield. High on drugs, she continued driving home, parked in her garage, and checked on the slowly dying man periodically, arguing with herself over what she should do. He died after three days and the woman is now serving time in jail.
The film will be shot in several locations around Saint John, including the Uptown where the pivotal accident scene will be filmed. Producer Grana note that stuntmen and special effects experts have arrived from Los Angeles and Toronto to organize the highly involved scene.
STUCK continues to film in Saint John until early December. Check back for more news.
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