VIFF 2008 Preview: Valentines

John Bolton sent us a note informing us of a short-flick that is very local in nature. Seeing how the mention of Willie Pickton still draws crowds, I'd thought I'd pop this on BR. Gonna try to catch this one myself.

Set against the backdrop of the first Robert Pickton trial, Valentines is the heartbreaking and disquieting story of a young girl's growing awareness of the powers she has - and doesn't have. Fifteen-year-old Joey can't afford the gift his thirteen-year-old girlfriend Jess wants for Valentines Day. His solution to this problem is to pimp her out to his fourteen-year-old best friend Kyle.

Valentines is based on the short story by Nancy Lee, from her acclaimed collection "Dead Girls", which was named Book of the Year by NOW Magazine and which was a finalist for the Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize and the Danuta Gleed Literary Award.

Valentines was written for the screen and directed by award-winning Vancouver filmmaker John Bolton ("Breakdown", "The Harp", "The Water Game") and produced by Selena Paskalidis, Jhod Cardinal, Les Lukacs and John Bolton. The director of photography was award-winning Vancouver filmmaker Carl Bessai ("Mothers and Daughters", "Normal", "Unnatural & Accidental", "Emile"), the production designer was SB Edwards, the editor was Jenn Strom, the sound designer was Chris McLaren and the songs are courtesy of Vancouver hip hop artist Jarrett Martineau, performing as "no-1". Valentines stars Emily Tennant ("Juno") as Jess, Anthony Shim ("Shred") as Joey and Calum Worthy ("Left Coast") as Kyle. The film was cast by Melissa Perry and Larkin MacKenzie-Ast.

Valentines will have its world premiere as part of the short film programme "Hunter / Gatherer" during this year's VIFF. The showings are at 7:00 pm tomorrow night (Friday, October 3) and at 3:45 pm on Sunday, October 5 at the Vancity Theatre.

Image courtesy of JB Productions.