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Toronto Pictures: A film production company with a conscience
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Big explosions, revealing sexual encounters and, of course, lots of graphic violence… elements included in most of the films .jpg)
we view today. Where’s the story? Is there a moral? Can we detect any ethics or values? Many of us crave movies with meaning but are hard-pressed to find them, except in a few art houses scattered throughout major metropolitan cities.
Toronto Pictures is hoping to break the mold. All of their films are socially relevant, often dealing with difficult and controversial issues; thought-provoking; and non-violent. Based in Canada, Toronto Pictures is the brain-child of internationally renowned filmmaker, Bruno Pischiutta, who created the company in 1996 with the intention to educate, inform and entertain. Powerful issues like bulimia, teenage virginity and sex trafficking are dealt with poignantly yet dramatically on film.
“Toronto Pictures has always followed its own path, not only in terms of identifying its own niche in film subject matter but also from a financing standpoint,” says the company’s Vice President, Daria Trifu. “It was Bruno’s dream to start an independent film company in which he has complete control over every aspect of production, from developing the storyline through post production. We also market our films, attending festivals and film markets around the world.”
The company’s latest project, “Punctured Hope,” has just been completed and is ready for distribution. “Punctured Hope” is based on a true story about the all too painful but true story of slavery [Trokosi] in modern Africa. Trokosi is the act of a family giving up a female virgin from amongst their own in order to repay the gods for a crime. “Bruno’s [the director] vision was to make this film very naturalistic, though the film is produced with actors and authentic set design,” Trifu expresses.
Filmed entirely in Ghana, it is the first feature to shoot in West Africa, and except for certain key people, some 300 members of the cast and crew were local. In fact, the star of the film, Belinda Siamey, is the actual person on which the story is based. Pischiutta was so taken with her on location, he cast her immediately and likens her as “the next Meryl Streep.”
An important note about the production, according to Trifu, “We are very proud to say that 10% of the net profits from the film will go towards developing a model village in Ghana. It is very important for us to give back to the community,” she says.
Though they are still seeking out mass distribution, strategic screenings are currently being arranged. Trifu says they are taking advantage of social networking to spread the word. Trailers are posted on YouTube, and they are a well-established presence on Twitter, which has impressively reached the watchful eyes of some very notable celebrities.
Both actor Ashton Kutcher and millionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson tweeted to followers:“Check out Toronto Pictures films and trailers on YouTube.” And actor Kevin Spacey tweeted, “Congratulations!”
Trifu welcomes everyone to join their social networking site – www.torontopictures.ning.com -- to participate in forums, community postings, and to learn the latest casting and company news.
Here’s your first look at “Punctured Hope”:
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