Toronto-based Raven Banner’s specialty label Northern Banner has acquired Canadian rights to Wayne Wapeemukwa’s Luk’Luk’I that premiered in Toronto’s Discovery section.
Luk’Luk’I follows five people living on the fringes of society during the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Angel Gates, Joe Buffalo, Ken Harrower, Eric Buurman and Angela Dawson star.
Wapeemukwa’s film won Best Canadian First Feature Film in Toronto 2017 and Best British Columbian Feature at the Vancouver International Film Festival and was also selected as part of Canada’s Top Ten.
Matt Drake, Spencer Hahn, Wayne Wapeemukwa produced Luk’Luk’I and Telefilm Canada participated in the development and financing. Luk’Luk’l was supported by the Canada Council for the Arts.
Northern Banner plans late spring 2018 theatrical release.
“The ethos behind this project was to view Canada from the perspective of the margins: from the downtown eastside,” Wapeemukwa said. “Perhaps now, some Canadians can see themselves from this vista, and we’re thrilled to be working with Northern Banner to bring this film to audiences across the country.”
Northern Banner managing partner Andrew Hunt said, “Wayne Wapeemukwa is a powerful new voice in Canadian cinema and we are thrilled to be working with him on this impressive first feature.”
Northern Banner’s Michael Paszt, James Fler and Hunt negotiated the deal with Hahn and Drake.
The label’s Canadian release slate includes Mouly Surya’s Marlina The Murderer In Four Acts, Juho Kusomansen’s The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Maki, and Kevan Funk’s Hello Destroyer.
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