| Black Bridge | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Kevin Doherty |
| Produced by | Kevin Doherty |
| Written by | Kevin Doherty |
| Cinematography | Kevin Doherty Brett Howe |
| Release date(s) | 2007 |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
Black Bridge is an independent 2007 drama/comedy film from Canada and was written and directed by Kevin Doherty. It was shot (and re-shot) over the course of 2002 and 2003 with practically no budget. The film is a period piece that takes place in May 1984 Canada during the height of heavy metal music popularity.
Contents |
A close-knit group of headbanging friends all have an equal passion for Heavy Metal music, partying and experimenting with the occult and supernatural. When the mutilated body of twelve-year-old Mikey Gay (brother of the Hellrats’ feared, trouble-making gang-leader Vinny) surfaces in Sammy’s “satanic enshrined” bedroom, all six become prime suspects in the murder.
Principal photography began on July 15, 2002 at Grant Park High School in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and proceeded until the end of August of that same year over the span of fifteen days, 18 different locations. Most of the film was shot without incident and to everyone's satisfaction. The cast and crew then geared up for what would be the final scene to be shot (and would later prove to be the most challenging): the sprawling "bush party" scene which was slated to be shot over the course of several weekends throughout September and October in Lorette Manitoba.
The first night of shooting was Friday September 20. Production was delayed for hours while waiting for cameraman Brett Howe to show. All attempts to contact him were fruitless. Fortunately, the camera and gear were with the crew and filming took place with Doherty behind the camera. Howe never arrived to set that night.
It was later discovered that Howe had fallen victim to an unfortunate incident at an ATM that night. On the way out of the city bound for Lorrette, he stopped at a bank machine and took his knapsack with him. After he withdrew his money and was making his way back to his car, a couple of hooded youths asked him for a smoke. He replied that he didn't have any and tried to make his way past when they stepped in his path and then asked him what he had in the bag. He tried to ignore them but before he knew it they'd jumped him and made off with his wallet and the knapsack. Howe managed to get to a hospital where he received treatment for his minor injuries but was then left with the daunting task of explaining to all involved on the project that the knapsack contained all of the master footage they had shot up to that moment.
News of the event made headlines throughout the city of Winnipeg and the film community. Some of the actors and crew who worked on the film heard the news through word of mouth and even on their favorite radio stations. An on-air plea to the thieves by Doherty on Charles Adler's popular CJOB radio talk show and again on Terry McLeod's talk show on CBC radio would be to no avail. Despite the efforts and cooperation of local radio and television stations the tapes would never surface.
Thoughts of packing it in and giving up were eventually dispelled, and an undeterred Doherty rallied his actors and crew and re-scheduled the shoot to take place over the course of the winter of 2002-03 to shoot all interiors (after re-acquiring all of the locations) and in the spring of 2003 to shoot all exteriors.
The plethora of metal music featured in the film was generously contributed by Winnipeg metal acts Lawsuit and Labyrinth along with Canadian metal acts Goat Horn, Betrayer, Kick Axe, Thor, Anvil, Helix, Brighton Rock, Trained Bears and the American group Geronimo!