Starringrossif Sutherland, Sara Botsford, Ted Atherton, Aiden Gillet

PRESENTS

Opens in UK Cinemas 8th July

StarringRossif Sutherland, Sara Botsford, Ted Atherton, Aiden Gillet

Written and Directed by Jamie M. Dagg

Executive Producer Todd Brown

Running time: 95 minutes

Press Contact:

Elle McAtamney –

LOG LINE

In the south of Laos, an American volunteer doctor becomes a fugitive after he intervenes in the sexual assault of a young woman. When the assailant’s body is pulled from the Mekong River, things quickly spiral out of control.

SYNOPSIS

After refusing to obey a senior surgeon, JOHN LAKE, an American volunteer doctor in Laos, is instructed to take a leave of absence. To regroup, he travels to a remote island in the south of Laos. The solace of the island is shattered when John intervenes in the sexual assault of a young Laotian woman, accidentally killing her assailant. Horrified by the violence and the prospect of being sent to prison, John panics and flees. He soon discovers that he’s wanted not only for the murder of an Australian Senator’s son, but also for the rape of the very woman he saved. What follows is a harrowing journey through the Laotian interior that will test and transform John in profound ways.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

By Jamie M. Dagg

Shooting a feature film, regardless of the location, is a difficult endeavor. The challenges and adversity increase by an order of magnitude when you shoot in a communist dictatorship with no film infrastructure. Faced with infighting, scorching heat, illness, a relentless schedule, and an authoritarian government with the power to shut us down on a whim, our crew of thirty people from seven countries pulled off the first North American film shot in Laos.

I first visited Laos ten years ago. Immediately I was taken by the ominous beauty of the islands in the south. Engulfed by the murkiness of the Mekong River, they are a stark contrast to the sun-bleached beaches and crystal-clear waters off the coast of Thailand.

During a subsequent visit I became obsessed with the idea of unintended consequences, where a particular action, intended for a positive purpose, has a negative unexpected outcome. I thought about this and how it relates to the hundreds of decisions we make on a daily basis. A seemingly innocuous choice can very quickly escalate into something catastrophic and spiral out of control. To quote Stanley Kubrick ‘The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent...’. It’s this indifference when it comes to our protagonist’s plight that I find so haunting and appealing.

River is also an exploration in how we all have the capacity for violence within us. We’re born violent, and only through our environment and upbringing do we learn how to control those primordial impulses. Under a perfect combination of adverse factors, that violence can surface and alter even the most placid of individuals. In the case of John Lake, a healer becomes a killer.

ABOUT THE CAST

Rossif Sutherland, “John Lake”

Rossif Sutherland, an established performer in Music, Film and Television has developed an extensive resume.

Film credits include the lead in HYENA ROAD directed by Paul Gross as well as the lead in RIVER directed by Jamie Dagg both of which will make their world premiere at TIFF 2015. Other credits include HELLIONS directed by Bruce Macdonald; BIG MUDDY directed by Jefferson Moneo, I’M YOURS opposite KarineVanasse, Gary Yates’ feature film HIGH LIFE opposite Timothy Olyphant and Joe Anderson for which received a Genie nomination, and the critically acclaimed Clement Virgo feature POOR BOY’S GAME opposite Danny Glover all of which premiered The Toronto International Film Festival. Others include TIMELINE, a Paramount feature directed by Richard Donner as well as the independent feature film RED DOORS directed by Georgia Lee. More recently he just completed filming a supporting role in BACK COUNTRY opposite Joel Kinnaman and the starring role in RIVER directed by Jamie Dagg which shot in Laos.

In Television, Sutherland has had recurring guest spots on shows such as NBC’s “Crossing Lines” and BBCA’s “Copper” with other guest starring roles in TMN’s “Living In Your Car”; “Monk” and “Being Erica” and “Cracked” for CBC as well as a recurring role in season 10 of NBC’s hit show “ER”. He’s been series regular on Showcase’s “King” and the hit show “Reign” for the CW. When he’s not acting, he is busy recording his music.

Sara Botsford, “Dr. Stephanie Novella”

Sara hails from a small mining village in northern Canada, where her first exposure to theatre was at age six, playing the Virgin Mary.

From that auspicious beginning, she went on to study theatre at York University in Toronto, where she played mostly hookers and thieves, and then in 1973, she joined the Stratford Festival for two seasons, and since, has worked extensively in Canada and the U.S.

On film, she has tried to kill Meryl Streep, divorced Robert Redford and Jon Voight, bedded Kevin Costner and Richard Chamberlain, and was done in by Roy Scheider and Christina Ricci. She also spent some time hunting giant worms in Tremors 4. (DVD Best Actress Nom.) and most recently costarred in the first North American film to be done in Laos.

Television highlights include, the leading role in 96 episodes of the popular award winning Canadian series E.N.G, on which she was also associate producer, (Best actress Award); the AMC series, The Lot, the CBC series, SOPHIE, and the CBC miniseries, Once There Was An Arrow. Gemini Nomination; She has done dozens of guest star roles in various series over the years in both Canada and the U.S. Most recently she completed the feature film, River, the first North American film shot in Lao, played Marilla in Anne of Green Gables, with Martin Sheen, and is doing 2 Christmas movies… Christmas Inc.,and the animated special, “The Curse of Clara”, playing Miss O.

Theatre highlights include: being directed by Mike Nichols, (The Real Thing, Broadway), Sir Peter Hall,(Romeo and Juliet) Max Stafford Clark, ( Top Girls, OBIE AWARD), Brian Bedford, ( Private Lives, Present Laughter); acting opposite Jeremy Irons, Len Cariou, Jane Kazmarek, (Good People, OVATION Award nom.) Brian Bedford, David Hyde Pierce;

As a DIRECTOR: In 1996, Sara directed the feature film DEAD INNOCENT, starring Genevieve Bujold and Graeme Greene.

She has directed several plays in Los Angeles, Vancouver and New York, and is the founder and co-artistic director of the LA based theatre company, 49th Parallel Theatre, whose mandate is to do Canadian plays in LA (2005-present)

Sara is the writer, creator and co-director of THOSE DAMN CANADIANS, an original web comedy, which was funded thru Kickstarter, and is about to release Season 2. @TDCSeason2, Facebook/ThoseDamnCanadians

DouangmanySoliphanh, “Douangmany”

DouangmanySoliphanh is Laos’ most prolific and respected producer, and is responsible for nearly 75% of the feature films produced in Laos since 1975. Mr. Soliphanh has authored three feature films. Over the past twenty years, he has also written and produced numerous documentaries, TV dramas and educational programs. Mr. Soliphanh has one of the most recognized voices in Laos, due to his early work in Laotian radio and then later as Laos’ national presenter for government events culminating at the 2009 SEA Games hosted in Vientiane. In 2000, Mr. Soliphanh co-founded Laos’ first film production company, Lao Art Media, with president AnousoneSirisackda, and is widely regarded as a pioneer and forefather of the modern Laotian filmmaking movement.

Selected Filmography

• DEAREST SISTER (Laos, 2016, dir: Mattie Do) A Lao village girl's only chance of escaping indentured poverty is to manipulate her wealthy cousin's illness into dependence.
• RIVER (as producer) (Laos/Canada, 2015, dir: Jamie M. Dagg) An American NGO doctor is pursued by Lao police officials for murder after his intervention in the sexual assault of a young Lao girl results in the accidental death of her attacker.
• CHANTHALY (Laos, 2013, dir: Mattie Do) A sickly young woman experiences visions of her dead mother. She struggles to determine if the apparition is simply a side effect of her daily medication, or her mother actually reaching out to her from beyond the grave.
• ONLY LOVE (Laos, 2010, dir: AnousoneSirisackda) The first independent film project produced by Lao Art Media and funded by Lao Art Media and UNESCO through the MInistry of Education, “Only Love” was a feature drama that also became a continuing TV series on Lao National TV.
• SABAIDEE, LUANG PRABANG (Laos, 2009, dir: SakchaiDeenan) A co-production between Lao Art Media and the Thai production company, Sparta Films, “Good Morning Luangprabang” was the first purely entertainment fiction film to be produced in Laos since the communist revolution of 1975.
• A FATHER’S HEART (Laos, 2008, dir: AnousoneSirisackda) Commissioned by UNICEF, “A Father’s Heart” is a cautionary tale about the dangers of Bird Flu and eating contaminated poultry. Filmed in the countryside of Laos, “A Father’s Heart” was the second “edu-tainment” style film made in Laos.
• A LESSON OF LIFE (Laos, 2007, dir: AnousoneSirisackda) The first feature film written by DouangmanySoliphanh for UNICEF, A Lesson in Life was a funded by UNICEF and used as a tool to address sensitive human trafficking iasues, labor laws and human rights violations. It was the first “edu-tainment” style film to be created in Laos.

VithayaPansringarm, Bartender

Vithayawas born in Bangkok, Thailand. Although he started studying accounting at a Thai university, his passion was for the arts.He went to New York City, changing his major and graduating as a graphic designer in 1985. He moved back to Bangkok in 1987.

His acting career started when he was discovered by Australian cinema photographer Wade Muller who invited him to act in his short film. Wade later recommended Vithaya to the casting director of a Hollywood production shooting in Thailand thus making his international debut in film in 2009. Then director Tom Waller asked Vithaya to lead in the Thai film “Mindfulness and Murder” for which he was nominated for best actor and for best screenwriter at the Thailand National Film Awards 2012.

After roles in several international productions shot in Thailand.

Vithaya was cast in the leading role of police lieutenant “Chang” aka “The Angel of Vengeance” in ONLY GOD FORGIVES directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, co-starring with Ryan Gosling and Kristen Scott Thomas which world premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2013.

Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura discovered him in this film and invited him to appear in LUPIN THE THIRD as General Narong.

VithayaPansringarm won Best Actor at the 17th Shanghai International Film Festival 2014 for his lead role in “THE LAST EXECUTIONER (directed by Tom Waller) as the rock ‘n roll musician who became the last Thai to execute prisoners by machine gun. The film also won 'Best Picture' and 'Best Screen Play' at the 30th Surasawadi Awards in 2015.

In 2015, Vithaya will play the role of “Police Colonel Changrok” in HBO Cinemax series “Strikeback Season 4” directed by Michael Bassett in the same episode with Michelle Yeo.

Vithaya is an active environmentalist and member of the Executive Committee of the Wild Animal Rescue Foundation of Thailand (WARF). He is a martial artist holding a fifth degree black belt (Go Dan) in Kendo.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Jamie M. Dagg, Director

Jamie M. Dagg’s first film, “Waiting,” premiered at TIFF in 2005 and was selected for TIFF’s 2006 Short Film Showcase. His second short, “Sunday,” premiered at the festival in 2008.Both films went on to screen at festivals worldwide. Dagg has directed a number of music videos for artists such as Broken Social Scene, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Bedouin Soundclash. In 2010 Jamie was selected to participate in TIFF’s Talent Lab. He was also a recipient of TIFF’s Irving Avrich Fund in 2006 and 2007.Dagg has a feature film - IN DAYS PRIMEVAL - in development with Serendipity Point Films (Eastern Promises, Barney’s Version). He’s also developing a dramatic television series with Daniel Iron (Away From Her, Manufactured Landscapes) and Lance Samuels (Generation Kill) called “The Horn Is Blood.” His first feature film, RIVER, will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015.

Nick Sorbara, Lead Producer

As one of the founding partners of REDLAB, a full-service post-production shop in Toronto, Nicholas Sorbara has played a large role in finishing both domestic and international projects – many of them award winning. Most recently through REDLAB, Nicholas Executive Produced RIVER, a TIFF-nominated film - and will also be producing the graphic novel-adapted film APOCALYPSE NOW NOW in the (near future?).

As a producer, his work can be seen on several big brand commercials and viral videos, most notably the very popular “Shit Girls Say” – which reached 25,000,000 views on YouTube – to a number of blockbuster features and hit TV series.

Nicholas is not only innovative and collaborative by nature; he also has a great work ethic and positive attitude that have allowed him to work closely with clients such as Google, Hyundai, Kia, Comcast, and the Canadian Olympics Committee of 2014.

Adam Marsden, Director of Photography

Adam’s work is unlike any other – his aesthetic is extremely modern, visual and cinematic, yet real. His diverse film credits include the feature thriller RIVER, directed by Jamie M. Dagg, which had its world premiere as part of the Toronto International Film Festival. Other credits include the horror/thriller HAUNT, with director Mac Carter for QED International and the psychological thriller DURESS, with director Jordan Barker and starring Modern Family’s Ariel Winter. He lensed the low budget feature film, WASHED UP, starring Cameron Mathison, which won the Best Cinematography Award at the NY International Independent Film Festival. His short films SUNDAY, WAITING and FOUND OBJECTS have all premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. FOUND OBJECTS earned Adam a CSC Award for Best Short Film Cinematography.

Todd Brown, Executive Producer

Todd Brown is the founder and editor of international film website TwitchFilm.com. He is also the Director of International Programming at Fantastic Fest and the Head of International Acquisitions for film production and sales company XYZ Films, where he has taken a producing role on films such as international action hit The Raid and recent Toronto International Film Festival selection Spring.

MattieThi Do, Executive Producer

MatthaThi Do (Mattie) didn’t return to Laos intending to make movies.In 2008, having left Vientiane 30 years earlier when the communist government took power, Mattie’s father emigrated from the United States back to his homeland and invited his children to join him. A year later, Mattie and her husband gave their whippet a bunch of shots for tropical diseases and boarded a plane. Trained as a makeup artist, Mattie had spent time on set for various independent productions both in Europe and America, and within a few months of arriving, she’d found a home at Laos’ oldest production company, Lao Art Media.

Within three months, she was producing a reality TV program. A year later, she began production on her first feature film, Chanthaly, which went on to become the first Lao film to screen in international film festivals in North America and Europe.

In 2013, Mattie became the first Lao filmmaker to represent Lao film at the Cannes FIlm Market as part of the InstitutFrançais’ La Fabrique des Cinemas du Monde. Later that year, Mattie was one of ten international filmmakers selected to participate in the Toronto International FIlm Festival Talent Lab.

In 2015, Mattie produced Jamie M. Dagg’sRIVER, the first Lao-North American co-production. Several months later, she completed principle photography on her second own feature film, DEREST SISTER, the first Lao-European co-production with France and Estonia. Both films are currently in post-production and slated for release in 2016. Mattie Do is, to date, the only woman to direct a feature film in Laos.

Filmography

• DEAREST SISTER (Laos, 2016, dir: Mattie Do)A Lao village girl's only chance of escaping indentured poverty is to manipulate her wealthy cousin's illness into dependence.
• RIVER (as producer) (Laos/Canada, 2015, dir: Jamie M. Dagg)An American NGO doctor is pursued by Lao police officials for murder after his intervention in the sexual assault of a young Lao girl results in the accidental death of her attacker.
• CHANTHALY (Laos, 2013, dir: Mattie Do)A sickly young woman struggles to determine if visions of her deceased mother are simply a side effect of her daily medication, or her mother actually reaching out to her from beyond the grave.

David Miller, Executive Producer