Visit Films acquires global rights to ’40 Acres’
A new dystopian thriller emerges
Visit Films has secured the global sales rights (excluding Canada) to R.T. Thorne’s debut feature, “40 Acres”, a gripping dystopian survival thriller. The film is currently being showcased in Toronto’s Special Presentations.
A director with a unique vision
“R.T. is an exciting director who has proved himself in other formats,” said Visit president Ryan Kampe. “Audiences will be taken with his commercial approach to social-issue filmmaking. The film epitomizes what we try to do at Visit by merging the two areas.”
A story of survival and resilience
Filmed on location in Northern Ontario, “40 Acres” follows soldier-turned-farmer Hailey Freeman, portrayed by Danielle Deadwyler (also starring in Toronto’s “The Piano Lesson”), and her family as they defend their remote homestead against a militia. The film also features Michael Greyeyes (“Rutherford Falls”) as Freeman’s partner and Toronto’s Kataem O’Connor as the eldest son, who yearns for a different path after meeting a young woman, played by Milcania Diaz-Rojas, beyond the fence.
Exploring themes of land and food sovereignty
“Expressing ideas about land and food sovereignty in a film featuring Black and Indigenous characters makes sense with their shared traumas of the colonial past,” Thorne said. This thematic depth adds a layer of authenticity and relevance to the narrative, making it resonate with contemporary audiences.
A collaborative production effort
Produced by Jennifer Holness of Hungry Eyes Media, in association with Crave, a division of Bell Media, “40 Acres” is distributed in Canada by Mongrel Media. The film is supported by Telefilm Canada, NOHFC, Canada Media Fund, Ontario Creates, CBC, Urban Post Production, FELA, and Back Home.
Thorne’s journey to ’40 Acres’
Thorne, who began his career directing music videos, has built an impressive resume over the past 20 years. He is known for his work as co-creator and multihyphenate on Hulu’s “Utopia Falls” and as a director and executive producer on the period drama “The Porter.”
“Over the years, I’ve been offered a lot of stereotypical scripts about Black life, as if I’d only be interested in that — but I’m interested in stories told from different perspectives,” Thorne said. He started developing ideas for “40 Acres” six years ago.
Reflections on societal fragility
“When the pandemic hit, it showed us that the infrastructure that holds together our society is more fragile than we thought,” Thorne continued. “I thought, ‘How would I protect my family if things go dark?’” This reflection on societal fragility is a central theme in “40 Acres”, making it a timely and thought-provoking film.
A personal connection to the land
Now based in Toronto, Thorne was born in Calgary, Alberta, a major beef producer, and his father worked in produce. “I grew up understanding the farmers’ relationship with the land as noble and important,” he said. “When you project that into the dystopia genre, a family of farmers in a time of food scarcity has the biggest target on their backs.”
Watch the trailer
For those eager to get a glimpse of this compelling film, you can watch the trailer for 40 Acres.
“40 Acres” promises to be a powerful addition to the dystopian genre, blending social issues with a gripping narrative. It’s a film that not only entertains but also provokes thought and discussion, making it a must-watch for cinema enthusiasts.