B.O.S. Productions
Circus Maximus Films  & Eklectika Moving Pictures  (U.K.)
present :

The Descendant

"Fantastic! A film worthy of attention." (Film Threat)

"A sharp, meticulously crafted work... breaks away from overcooked horror-thriller conventions." (FANTASIA Film Festival)

"...a cinematic rarity: a genuinely moving chiller... shot in luscious 35mm and showcasing a beautifully melancholic score." (RUE MORGUE magazine)

We are now on MySpace: www.myspace.com/descendantmovie

Latest News

December 20th 2009: Rejoice comrades! The people of Russia can now see the film since it was just picked up for national television broadcast. A recent showing there was its world television premiere! Stay tuned for more news as other territories open up internationally.

Feburary 17th 2009: We are happy to announce that THE DESCENDANT was nominated for a Prix Jutra (Quebec equivalent of the Oscars) in the category of "Best Make Up". Although effects make-up only appears for less than a minute in the film, when it does appear, it is very effective and original. Many thanks go to C.J.Goldman, an absolute master in special effects make-up and one of Quebec's most talented artists in that domain. It is thrilling to know that this nomination will expose the film to millions of viewers who will be watching the awards ceremony on March 29th. A French subtitled version will soon be ready and will assure theatrical screenings in other cities throughout the French-speaking world.

February 7th 2009: The screening of the film near St.Armand was a huge success tonite. Wild applause from a sold out hall!

January 27th 2009: Controversy! The film will screen on February 7th , in Quebec’s Eastern Townships region very near where horrific events occurred that inspired the underlying story of THE DESCENDANT. The director will be present to host a Q & A period following the screening. This event is a presentation of The Missis­quoi Historical Society and will take place at Memorial Hall in East Stanbridge, 20 Academy street at 8 p.m.

November 9th 2008: European premiere! This evening at 6pm the film played FANCINE in Malaga, Spain.

November 7th 2008: A market screening took place today at THE AMERICAN FILM MARKET in Santa Monica. Please visit the Imageworks Entertainment suite for more details.

October 14th 2008: The film has just been accepted to play the Vermont Horror Film Festival on Friday night October 17th. Although not strictly a horror film, it has so far played very well to genre fans.

All news...


The crew lights things up on location.



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Story

A year after his mother passes away, James Duke contemplates doing the one thing she had always forbidden him to do; contact her parents. With temptation too great, the young man visits his grandparents and discovers that although friendly, they are very nervous about his surprise visit.  Deciding to stay on for a few days at their eerie run down secluded farmhouse, he gradually uncovers an unspeakably shameful part of his family history that his mother had never revealed. Carefully watched by menacing townspeople, he digs dangerously deep to uncover clues to his disturbing past; old gramophone recordings, disturbing b&w photos, animal (human?) remains and a very unusual patchwork quilt made by tortured hands. Ultimately, he confronts both conspiracy and the heavy burden of truth through his discovery of ghosts from the past. 




Genre: Drama
Sub Genre: Mystery/ghost story
Production Gauge: 35mm color
Equipment suppliers: W.F. WHITE's (Toronto & Ottawa) and CINEPOOL (Montreal)
Post-Production: GLOBAL VISION and the N.F.B.
Finishing Gauge: 35mm color  
Running Time: 95 minutes

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About

This mystery-ghost story was inspired by little-known but fascinating historical events involving the hidden burial of imported farm workers in a small border town just north of the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. This modern day tale of “historical vengeance” will entertain a broad audience as well as inform about an important part of our heritage. In a world of overly familiar films, THE DESCENDANT achieves surprising originality with its shocker ending.



Principal Cast

Tadhg McMahon..........................JAMES DUKE.
Jim Reid..................................MAURICE DUKE.
Ilona Garcen...............................LINDA DUKE.
Rose Ryan...........................................LOUISE.
Brewster Griffin.................................VICTOR.
Tessa Hamilton.......................................KIM.
Rob Di Loreto.........................................PAUL.
Phil Harrison............................HENCHMAN #1.
Christopher Piggins.................HENCHMAN #2.
Zeny Domond...............................FARM HAND.

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Production Team

Executive Producer: PHILIPPE CHABOT                                                           
Co-producer:
DAVID RIGBY
Producer/Director: PHILIPPE SPURRELL
Written by : PHILIPPE SPURRELL & JOEL MILLER
Cinematography: LORENZO NEGRI & IVAN GEKOFF (CSC)
Editor
: ERIC LAVOIE
Music
: DAVID KRISTIAN
Sound design:  DAN LAGACE
Make-up FX: CJ GOLDMAN, (DAWN OF THE DEAD, DAY AFTER TOMORROW, LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN)
Special Participation: SERGIO MACHADO


Contact

Philippe Spurrell
p.spurrell@hotmail.com
 
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©2006 BOS Productions. All rights reserved.