Hungry Eyes Media is happy to announce that we've started principal photography on R.T. Thorne's feature film debut
Toronto, Canada, October 10, 2023, - Hungry Eyes Media (HEM) and Fela announced that principal photography began on 40 ACRES in mid-September on location in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The independent film stars BAFTA and Critics' Choice Award nominee Danielle Deadwyler (TILL), Kataem O'Connor ("The Way Home"), Michael Greyeyes ("1923") and Milcania Diaz-Rojas ("The Bold Type").
R.T. Thorne ("The Porter", "Utopia Falls") is an award-winning director who is focused on telling stories that represent the unrepresented. "Beneath the surface of a suspenseful thriller, 40 ACRES is a story about Hailey (Deadwyler), an ex-military matriarch trying to prepare her children for an unforgiving world and how her philosophy clashes with her eldest son, Emmanuel's (O'Connor's)" views, said Thorne.
Thorne's recent accolades include directing and executive producing "The Porter", which received an Emmy nomination and 12 Canadian Screen Awards. He was nominated for a 2023 MTV VMA for DJ Khaled's "Staying Alive" featuring Drake & Lil Baby. Thorne serves as an executive producer on 40 ACRES and shares writing credit with Glenn Taylor.
The film is produced by multi-award-winning powerhouse Jennifer Holness (HOME AGAIN, SUBJECTS OF DESIRE) of Hungry Eyes Media, who was featured on The Hollywood Reporter's 2023 list of The 40 Most Influential Women in International Film. Jennifer works in scripted drama series, film, and documentary productions, including her upcoming production NOTHING FITS for the Geena Davis Institute, Rose Pictures and Besties Make Movies.
Producer Holness says, "Over the past 4 years of developing, financing and now producing 40 ACRES, I have never lost sight of what an incredible story and script it is. Steeped in Black cultural mythology, exploring a near future reality we can all imagine, and with Danielle Deadwyler as our badass matriarch leading this great cast, including Michael Greyeyes, is everything I hoped for. I'm pulling out all the stops to help R.T. deliver a film that will blow all of your minds!"
Taj Critchlow serves as Executive Producer of the film and is co-founder of production company Fela. He executive produced MOTHERLAND, which won Best Canadian Short Film at this year's TIFF. "R.T's visionary approach to this film aligns with my mission to tell stories across various genres from the Black perspective," says Critchlow. Danielle Deadwyler is also an executive producer on the film. Temilola Adebayo serves as associate producer.
40 ACRES is a post-apocalyptic thriller that examines history and family where trust no longer exists. Hailey Freeman and her family are the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in rural Canada in 1875 after the first Civil War. Two hundred years later, they struggle to survive in a famine-decimated future and make their last stand against a band of cannibals intent on taking their home.
Joining Thorne are director of photography Jeremy Benning ("Accused"), production designer Peter Cosco (WOMEN TALKING), costume designer Charlene Akuamoah ("Robin Hood") and editors Sandy Pereira (YOUNG WERTHER) and Dev Singh ("The Porter"). Mongrel Media will distribute inside Canada. The film is being produced as an IA interim agreement with the generous participation of Telefilm, CMF - PPRC, NOHFC, Crave, Ontario Creates, CBC and with independent producer investments.
Hungry Eyes Media (HEM) is co-founded by the dynamic creative duo of Jen Holness and Sudz Sutherland. They bring a fresh, authentic perspective to telling powerful, thought-provoking stories. In doing so, they have racked up over 60 national and international awards plus another 38 nominations.
Fela is a culture-defining production company that celebrates inclusion and diversity, specializing in making cutting-edge content in the realm of music videos, commercials, documentaries, and films. Their core strength is having the ability to tell cultural stories authentically while being a voice for the unheard and underrepresented.
Danielle Deadwyler is represented by Play Management, Paradigm, ziffren Brittenham and Shelter PR.
For more information contact:
Lisa Shamata, Unit Publicist, 416 209-5737, lisashamata@gmail.com.
Stay tuned to @40 acresthemovie for latest stills and updates on the film.