CANADIAN movie Ashgrove will have its world premiere at Glasgow Film Festival tonight after its creators fell in love with the city two years ago.
Director and writer Jeremy LaLonde and writer and producer Jonas Chernick previously attended the festival in 2020 for their film James vs. His Future Self.
Set during a pandemic that affects the world’s water supply, Ashgrove tells the story of a troubled couple who travel to their remote family farm to reconnect but soon realise their ability to save their marriage will also directly influence the future of humankind.
Jonas and Jeremy say they had an “amazing” experience when they attended the “special” festival shortly before the pandemic started.
Jeremy said: “We said to ourselves when we left last time, if we have the opportunity to premiere a movie at this festival again, we will take it, and here we are with our next film two years later.”
Jonas said: “There’s good film festivals, there’s bad film festivals, and there’s great film festivals and I’m putting Glasgow right there with the world’s best festivals.
“It ticks every box in every way and I hope the people of the city are aware of that.”
Jeremy agreed: “For me, it’s a world-class festival and the city is lucky to have that.”
Actors Amanda Brugel and Natalie Brown are also attending the film’s premiere and have been “charmed” by Glasgow as they visit the city for the first time.
Amanda, who stars as Rita Blue in The Handmaid’s Tale, said: “The people here are so warm, and so lovely.
“It’s an incredibly warm and inviting city and we’ve only been here for two days.”
The idea for Ashgrove was conceived before Covid, but it was developed during lockdown before filming started in September 2020.
Jonas said: “It was the first time any of us were outside of our homes, it was like a group of 20 people in this one place for a few weeks and we hadn’t been with other people in months, so it was quite amazing.”
Amanda agreed: “It was wonderful.
“It was one of the first productions back on its feet after the restrictions were lifted and we would essentially go from the farm back to the hotel, but even in the hotel we were in our own bubble amidst the crew and the cast.”
Tonight’s premiere will be the first time Amanda and Natalie will see the film’s final cut and the first time Jonas and Jeremy will see it with an audience.
Amanda said: “I’m not at all nervous, I’m really excited to see the film now.”
Jonas added: “I’m just excited to see it with an audience.
“Jeremy and I are very used to seeing our films with audiences, we usually test it out in post-production while we’re editing the film but this is the first time for us so we’re really excited.”
“I’m just hoping I’m in the film,” Natalie joked.
Ashgrove will premiere at the Glasgow Film Festival tonight at 8.30pm and will be screened again tomorrow, Friday, March 4 at 3.30pm.
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