Chokeslam (film)

Chokeslam
Directed by Robert Cuffley
Produced by Carolyn McMaster
Anand Ramayya
Written by Robert Cuffley
Jason Long
Starring Chris Marquette
Amanda Crew
Niall Matter
Michael Eklund
Mick Foley
Agam Darshi
Music by Raj Ramayya
Edited by Bridget Durnford
Production
companies
CHAOSafilmcompany Inc.
Karma Film
Distributed by A71
Release date
  • October 2, 2016 (2016-10-02) (Calgary)
  • March 15, 2017 (2017-03-15) (One Night Only)
  • April 7, 2017 (2017-04-07) (Canada)
Running time
 102 minutes
Country Canada
Language English

Chokeslam is a 2016 wrestling/comedy film directed by Robert Cuffley and starring Chris Marquette, Amanda Crew, Niall Matter, Michael Eklund and Mick Foley. It premiered at the Calgary International Film Festival in October 2016.[1]

Cast

Production

The film was produced by CHAOSafilmcompany Inc. and Karma Film. It was developed through the Canadian Film Centre and Just for Laughs 2014 Telefilm Canada Feature Comedy Exchange.[2] received funding from Creative Saskatchewan,[3] which supports projects filming in Saskatchewan.

Cuffley, who had been working on this project since 2002, co-wrote the screenplay with frequent writing partner Jason Long.[4] The film also sees the director reunite with two of his previous collaborators in Amanda Crew, [5] who starred in Cuffley's 2012 feature Ferocious and Michael Eklund, with whom he has worked on several projects including Ferocious and the 2007 feature Walk All Over Me.

Amanda Crew had no previous wrestling experience, and trained extensively for her role, in order to obtain an authentic physique.[6] She also received advice and assistance from both Mick Foley and Impact Wrestling professional Chelsea Green.[7]

Filming

Filming took place in Lumsden and Regina both in Saskatchewan, Canada in the Fall of 2015. [2] The wrestling scenes were shot in the historic Regina Exhibition Stadium, [8] with local people serving as extras.[9] As well as Mick Foley, wrestlers Lance Storm and Harry Smith (son of "The British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith and nephew of Bret Hart), performed in the wrestling matches. [10]

Release

The premiere took place at the Calgary International Film Festival on 2 October 2016, as the closing gala film,[1] with the cast and crew in attendance [11]

Additionally, the film was shown at the 2016 Whistler Film Festival,[12] where it was picked up by Canadian distributor, A71.[13]

The film previewed in selected Canadian cinemas on March 15, 2017.[14] It premiered across Canada on April 7, 2017.[15]

Reception

The film received positive praise from film festival critics, cited as a "a strangely entertaining fusion of comedy, romance, and sport that stands out in a sea of repetitive rom-coms".[16] Michael Eklund's performance in particular received high praise. [17]

The film won in four categories at the 2017 Rosie (AMPIA) Awards: Best Dramatic feature or Made-for-TV Movie: Carolyn McMaster, producer; Best Director (Drama over 30 minutes: Robert Cuffley; Best Screenwriter (Drama over 30 minutes):Jason Long and Robert Cuffley; Best Editor (Drama over 30 minutes):Bridget Durnford.[18]

References

  1. 1 2 "Closing Gala:Chokeslam". "Calgary International Film Festival". Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Principal Photography Begins on Chokeslam". "Canadian Film Centre". September 23, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Chokeslam is filming in Saskatchewan". "Creative Saskatchewan". Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  4. ↑ Chatha, Aaron (August 18, 2016). "Fearsome Females head Calgary Film Fest Gala Nights". "Metro News Canada". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  5. ↑ Volmers, Eric (September 30, 2016). "CIFF:Calgary director Robert Cuffley puts a painful twist on the rom-com genre with Chokeslam". "Calgary Herald". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  6. ↑ Leonard, Christine (September 13, 2016). "No-holds-barred comedy ‘Chokeslam’ drags romance all over the canvas". "Beatroute". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  7. ↑ Furminger, Sabrina (March 20, 2017). "Amanda Crew embraces inner ass-kicker in ‘Chokeslam’". Westender. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Regina film set captures wrestling history". "980 CJME". October 3, 2015. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  9. ↑ Liewicki, Nathan (October 2, 2015). "Filmmaker says future is bright for Saskatchewan artists". "Regina Leader-Post". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  10. ↑ Baxter, David (September 20, 2015). "Film crew hopes to be 'slammed' with extras". "Global News Canada". Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  11. ↑ White, Ryan (October 5, 2016). "Record numbers of cinephiles flocked to 2016 Calgary International Film Festival". "CTV News Calgary". Retrieved December 16, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Chokeslam". "Facebook". Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  13. ↑ "Whistler Film Fest 2016". "Vimooz". December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Chokeslam". "Facebook". Retrieved March 8, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Chokeslam". Facebook. March 18, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2017.
  16. ↑ Siebert, Amanda (November 30, 2016). "Whistler Film Festival 2016:Chokeslam". "The Georgia Straight". Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  17. ↑ Antunes, Marina (December 6, 2016). "WFF 2016:Chokeslam Review". "Quiet Earth". Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  18. ↑ "2017 Rosie Winner". "AMPIA". Retrieved May 5, 2017.
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