Saskatchewan filmmaker Lowell Dean has had a steady following of horror movie lovers since Wolf Cop hit theatres in 2014. His “cult” following is certainly growing thanks to his latest project.
“I think this one is actually, weirdly, a little more serious than Wolf Cop. It’s still got humour. It’s still got all the crazy things that hopefully people who enjoy this kind of movie will want,” Dean explained. “But I tried to really ground it and make you care about the character because, like, these are just regular working class wrestlers having the worst day of their life.”
His latest film, Dark Match, follows a wrestling company that takes a gig in a small town, before realizing that the community is under the influence of a sinister cult leader.
The writer/director shared that horror movies have a special place in his heart as a filmmaker.
“I personally love making horror movies because I like messing with audiences, and I think it’s really fun to try and hopefully tell a story with good character,” he said. “Then every now and then have a moment or something happen that keeps the viewer on their toes. And also, I feel like [with] horror movies, you can say more about the world we live in.”
While Dark Match was filmed in Alberta, Dean is a big advocate for the Saskatchewan film industry as many of his past films were shot in his home province.
“Last year [I] had a movie, Die Alone, which was shot here, completely crewed here, and it was one of the best experiences of my life,” Dean recalled. “Personally, as a Regina resident, I’m very excited about the opportunity to keep making films here.”
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Others in the province’s film industry are also optimistic regarding the future of the business, sharing that projects like the ones Dean has released, represent the province well.
“I am so excited to go and see Lowell’s movie tonight. His last movie, Die Alone, was shot here. It was fantastic. It’s always great when you see local people making really great things that are going to be watched around the world,” Robert Hardy, executive director of the Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association said.
Hardy went on to say that he shares Dean’s sentiments regarding the promising future of film in the province.
“People want to work here and they want to make projects here because the community is really supportive of it,” Dean said.
“The government’s really supportive of it. We have a really great place to make movies and TV shows, and I can see a lot more stuff happening here soon.”
On Tuesday evening, a screening of “Dark Match” is scheduled for Cineplex Cinemas Normanview, in addition to a Q & A period where Dean will share some details about the making of the film.
“The thing that I look most forward to at this stage of promoting it is whoever’s going to be there. So to me, it’s less about the movie, it’s more about the friends and family and anyone in Regina who wants to show up, there are still seats available,” he said.
“I kind of also look forward to popcorn.”
The filmmaker also added that the opportunity to come home and share his work is always one that brings him lots of joy.
“I feel the love when I make a film. People show up, they want to support you, and I feel like people know how hard it is to get a movie made and get a movie in theaters,” Dean said.
“So when it’s also something that’s kind of fun, like wrestling and horror, I hope it’s easier for people to come out and support because it is fun.”
As for what’s next?
Dean says while he’s enjoying the fact audiences can now enjoy his most recent film, he always has scripts in the works and ideas for his next big project.
“I have some ideas. I’m writing some stuff. All I can say is whatever I do next will probably be pretty different from the things I’ve just done,” he said.
“But that’s the fun, [its] being scared. Not horror movie scared, but scared to try something new.”
