About the Film
The #1 Canadian movie musical now on digital in Canada and coming worldwide in 2022. Catch the two FREE screenings in Winnipeg at the historic Burton Cummings Theatre on Saturday/Sunday, May 28/29. Rush seating. Doors open at 6 PM, screening at 7 PM.
Click to watch digital in Canada: Apple, Google Play. Also available in Canada on Shaw, Bell, Telus, Rogers and Eastlink.
“Hamilton meets Fiddler on the Roof meets West Side Story” – Reel Chicago. “Infectious songs…pure feeling punches through” – Variety. “Broadway-worthy tunes” – Globe & Mail. “Arresting performances…handsome production” – Washington Post. “One of the greatest historical stories I have ever seen” – Hollywood North. “A musical the entire world could benefit from watching” – Cryptic Rock
1919. Escaping Russia’s war on Ukraine, an immigrant Romeo & Juliet battle for a better life in Canada. Director Robert Adetuyi (“Stomp the Yard”, “Bring It On”) teams up with two-time Emmy Award-winning cinematographer Roy Wagner in this movie adaptation of Juno-award-winning composer Danny Schur & Rick Chafe’s hit stage musical.
Starring Marshall Williams (“Glee”, “How to Build a Better Boy” – Disney), Laura Slade Wiggins (“Shameless”, “Nancy Drew & the Hidden Staircase”), Lisa Bell & Gregg Henry (“Guardians of the Galaxy”, “Scandal”). Featuring Hayley Sales (“Deadpool 2”), Paul Essiembre, Tristan Carlucci, Gabriel Daniels, Ryan Ash, Blake Taylor, Robin Ruel & Boris Gulyarin. “Stand” sung by Lisa Bell.
Synopsis
1919. Stefan Sokolowski and his father, Mike, leave family behind in Ukraine, escaping Russia’s war on their homeland. In Winnipeg, Canada, they struggle to earn enough to re-unite the family, falling prey to the slave wages and discrimination foist upon immigrants. Stefan is instantly smitten by his Jewish suffragette neighbour, Rebecca Almazoff, but Rebecca’s brother, Moishe, and Mike oppose the would-be Romeo and Juliet. Returned soldiers, angry at the lack of post-war jobs, violently threaten the city’s immigrants, including Emma, a refugee from racist violence in Oklahoma, and Gabriel, an Indigenous Métis war veteran. When a movement develops for workers to leave their jobs in protest, a wealthy lawyer, A.J. Anderson, pits all against each other in this dramatic and inspirational movie musical. Inspired by true events, the legacy of which still affects Canada’s social and political climate.
Credits
- Director: Robert Adetuyi
- Writers: Danny Schur & Rick Chafe
- Music, Lyrics & Score: Danny Schur
- Producers: Danny Schur & Jeff Peeler
- Executive Producers: Terry Cholka, Gail Asper, Hartley Richardson, Sharon Azrieli, Harry Ethans, Jamie Brown, Robert Adetuyi
- Cinematographer: Roy Wagner, ASC
- Editor: Ron Wisman, CCE
- Production Designer: Marian Wihak
- Production Companies: Boomtalk Musical Production & Frantic Films
- Produced with the Participation of Telefilm Canada.
- Produced with financial investment from Manitoba Film & Music.
- Shot entirely on location in Winnipeg, Canada. August-September, 2018
- Shot exclusively on Black Magic Design cameras with Sigma lenses.
RATED PG for some violence & coarse language.