Breakthrough Entertainment and Buffalo Gal Pictures announce their co-production of “Coppermine”.
Co-producers of the critically acclaimed series “Less Than Kind” have green-lit development of a feature film by award winning screenwriter Keith Ross Leckie based on his novel “Coppermine:.
An epic adventure, a double murder investigation and a passionate love story set in the beautiful extremes of the High Arctic and in the boom town energy of 1917 Edmonton, “Coppermine” follows Mounted Police Officer Jack Creed and his young interpreter as they apprehend two Inuit hunters for the gruesome murders of two priests and escort them down to the city for an elaborate show trial. The newspapers of the day referred to the case as “Canadian Law Meets Stone-aged Cannibals”. But is it the Inuit hunters who are on trial or the European Colonists who want to claim Inuit land and steal their souls?
“’Coppermine’ sheds light on a shocking true story about Canada’s colonial past that still has the power to move us today,” said Peter Williamson, Executive Producer, Breakthrough Entertainment.
Keith Ross Leckie: “My original fascination with this true and unique story has never diminished. It is a naturally cinematic and character driven narrative on the level of “The Revenant” or Kurasawa’s “Dersu Uzala”, and I thank long time friends Breakthrough Entertainment and Buffalo Gal Pictures for giving me the opportunity to script Coppermine into what will be a great feature film.”
“This remarkable story feels just as timely and relevant today as it did then, and we are thrilled to be working with Breakthrough once again,” said Phyllis Laing, Executive Producer of Buffalo Gal Pictures.
About Breakthrough Entertainment
Breakthrough Entertainment Inc. is an award-winning producer and distributor of premium content for worldwide audiences. The entertainment studio’s operations include the development and distribution of feature films, television and digital content; international co-productions and production services. Breakthrough’s digital media division ranks amongst the industry’s most respected producers of high quality interactive entertainment on mobile and online platforms. Established over 30 years ago, Breakthrough’s library now boasts over 40 feature films and 4000 television episodes which air on major networks and digital channels across the globe. The studio has been recognized with international awards including numerous Gemini Awards, Canadian Screen Awards, and Canadian Comedy Awards.www.breakthroughentertainment.com. Follow @breakthru_ent on Twitter.
About Buffalo Gal Pictures
Buffalo Gal Pictures is an independent, award-winning production house specializing in feature film and television production as well as 3D animation and visual effects. Since 1994, the company has successfully developed and produced challenging and divers projects by nurturing collaborative relationships with creative talent and by establishing coproduction partnerships with industry peers, and in the process, been responsible for over $250M in feature film and television production. Past successes include Guy Maddin’s seminal film “My Winnipeg,” awarded four stars by pre-eminent film critic Roger Ebert; the critically-lauded HBO Canada television series “Less Than Kind”, executive produced by “Kids in The Hall” / “SaturdayNight Live” alum Mark McKinney, and acclaimed feature films including “Aloft,” starring Jennifer Connelly, “The Stone Angel,” featuring Ellen Burstyn and Ellen Page, and “All the Wrong Reasons” with Cory Monteith.
About Keith Ross Leckie
Keith Ross Leckie is a scriptwriter (“An Officer and a Murderer: The Russell Williams Story,” “Shattered City: The Halifax Explosion,” “The Arrow”) and novelist (“Terrors of the Earth,” “The Seventh Gate”) who lives in Toronto with his wife, film producer Mary Young Leckie.