A local filmmaker found what he was looking for — a cast of saints and outlaws for his homegrown, feature-length film.
Of Saints and Outlaws is based on a novel written by Trinity 3 Hawks set in the 1800s that delves into a theme of searching. A mysterious vagabond has an impact on a powerful church dignitary in this tale of spiritual inquisition told romantically with both drama and comedy.
It has been a labour of love over the past several months for Trinity, who came to the Kootenays a bit over four years ago after living in major American cities. He couldn’t be happier making his film in this “neck of the mountains with our kind of people,” he says.
“Forget Hollywood, we use natural characters for this production; particularly those whose life’s impressions are written on their brow,” he says. “People here have differing ideas and they’re ingrained into their personalities. They’re so authentic and so willing to give themselves to this.”
All the actors live in the region and most have never acted before.
Brian Zacharius is one such character, a general contractor all his life, who laughs while saying he’s “always wanted to be a star.”
At a short shoot up at the Nelson Cemetery, Zacharius watches Trinity direct a scene.
“Trinity has such a passion it’s hard not to want to be a part of what he’s doing,” he says.
“It’s been a hoot,” he says, because of the cast of characters assembled for the production — some of which were literally grabbed off the street.
Always interested in film with an eye for the image, Trinity’s son is the only non-local working on Of Saints and Outlaws. Ash Von Chamier took up cinematography and the Tallahassee, Florida, resident also handles editing of the film. With a family-type atmosphere to the project, this blood bond runs deep.
“To have your son — who is very good at what he does — as an inspirational piece, it’s really joined us even further,” says Trinity.
The pace of production for this Kootenay project differs from that of the big city centre.
“We made this at a pace that doesn’t have that feeling that we’re competing with the rest of the world,” says Trinity. “You don’t have the feeling that you are being suffocated by being put into a heap with people who are already at the top of their game. You can lose yourself into it.”
Of Saints and Outlaws has the feel of the Last of the Mohicans meets Deadwood. It is about three-quarters complete and slated for release this fall, in time for international film festival entry. You can view the movie’s demo-trailer at www.3hawksentertainmentgroup.com.