HARRISTON – An independent movie filmed primarily in locations in and around this community is set for digital release later this month.
Godforsaken was filmed at Harriston and area locations in 2019.
Produced by Tailored Films and Makama Films, the “found-footage” style horror/thriller features many local residents as actors and received support from local businesses and residents, who provided filming locations and other assistance.
Written and directed by Ali Akbar Akbar Kamal, the film stars Harriston native Chad Tailor, Mélie B Rondeau, Katie Fleming, Chris Kelly, Domenic Derose, Nicole Fairbairn, JoAnn Bundock, Wellington North resident Flora Burke, Harriston residents Dan Bieman and Patrick Raftis and numerous other area residents in supporting roles.
After a successful festival run in 2020 on screens in Europe, Canada and South America, the film brought home the Best Ensemble Cast award from the UK’s Horrors4You Film Festival.
In the summer of 2021 the producers partnered with Terror Films, a Los Angeles-based distribution company specializing in independent horror films.
“We have been working with them over the last eight months packaging the film and getting it ready for release,” said Tailor, a graduate and current faculty member of the Toronto Film School, who has collaborated with Kamal and Mariah MacDonald of Makama Films on several previous independent productions.
The film’s online distribution begins March 25 on Terror Films’ YouTube channel with a live chat event with the filmmakers.
The worldwide digital release begins April 8 starting with The Kings of Horror YouTube channel for another live chat.
The filmmakers say the movie will then roll out on mass platforms like Terror Films TV, Screambox, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Apple TV, Watch Movies Now, V Horror and others.
Harriston native Chad Tailor, left, stars in the locally-filmed movie Godforsaken, while Harriston resident Dan Bieman, right, plays a clergyman in the film. Advertiser file photo
“I always loved watching scary movies as a young teen. I remember movie nights with my father going up to the local movie store to rent a couple horror films for the weekend and watching them,” Tailor stated in an email to the Advertiser.
“I loved the feeling of being scared, whether with suspense, blood and gore, or freaky characters. I would put my hands in front of my eyes yet peak through at moments and sometimes even hold my breath with the character! That’s what I hope audience members feel when they watch the film.
“I hope it takes them on a journey and gives them a rush.”
Tailor added, “When Ali approached me to do this film with him and his partner Mariah I knew we would make a great team because we have worked together and been friends since film school.
“I read the script and the concept creeped me out because it felt so real, mostly because he named my character Chad and he wanted to film in my actual hometown, but also because the characters were written realistically.”
Tailor said he is “so proud” to have his hometown featured in a movie.
“Not that the movie reflects this beautiful town and community,” he said.
“But just the fact it was made with so much support from people I’ve known my whole life, other friends, and close colleagues who have become like family to me.”
More information, including a trailer, can be found at https://rue-morgue.com/exclusive-trailer-poster-photos-for-religious-chiller-godforsaken/.
Information can also be found at https://www.terrorfilms.net/film/godforsaken.
