Selkirk made movie set to hit theatres

RECORD PHOTO BY AUSTIN GRABISH

Lucas Till, seen in this 2013 file photo, is the lead actor in Bravetown, which hits theatres next month.

By Austin Grabish, The Selkirk Record

A large motion picture that was shot in the City of Selkirk two years ago will hit theatres next month.

A trailer for the movie ‘Bravetown’ was released to the public last Wednesday making the movie’s May 8 premiere official.

‘Bravetown’, originally entitled ‘Strings’, was shot in Selkirk, Winnipeg, and Cooks Creek during the summer of 2013.

The indie film is about Josh Harvest, a troubled American teenager, who gets sent to live with his dad in a small town in North Dakota after coming into contact with the wrong side of the law.

Lucas Till (X-Men series) plays the New York City teenager who is shipped away by his mother to live with his estranged father Alex.

Josh Duhamel stars as the dad and other big names like Kherington Payne (Fame) and Maria Bello (Prisoners) are also in the film.

Harvest is a talented DJ and comes out of his shell to help turn his school’s dance team around.

He becomes involved with Mary (played by Payne), the captain of the team, and helps to bring positivity to the American town, where many families have lost loved ones to the war.

But his life as the hottest DJ in town takes an expected turn in the film.

Several parts of the Bravetown trailer, which is just over two minutes in length, show scenes that were shot in Selkirk.

The blue bridge that crosses over the Red River in Selkirk is shown as is Manitoba Avenue and the Comp.

Crews filmed several parts of the movie at the Comp and used the school’s cafeteria, gym, and offices for the film.

Many local residents starred as extras in the film. 

The movie was originally slated to hit theatres last spring, but no information on the film was released until last week.

Bravetown is the first movie that Till has stared in as a DJ.

The Los Angeles-based actor told the Record in 2013 that he struggled at first with the role, but eventually rose to the occasion saying he reached a “pinnacle.”

The release of the film’s trailer appeared to be welcomed online.

@joshduhamel I'm so excited for #Bravetown Josh!!!
— Giulia (@AileenLloyd) April 12, 2015

@joshduhamel Just saw the trailer of Bravetown - certainly looks thought-provoking, inspiring and well acted. Looking forward to seeing it.
— Mary S-Flynn (@mptflynn) April 12, 2015

Bravetown is in theatres next month starting on May 8 and will also be available on-demand.

 -- First published in the Selkirk Record print edition April 16 2015 p.7