In movie news today, THE G, from writer/director Karl R. Hearne and 3Buck Productions, starring Dale Dickey, has been officially selected for the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. In competition, it will celebrate its World Premiere on November 11. It is the story of a mysterious older woman who seeks revenge on the corrupt legal guardian who destroyed her life. levelFILM has acquired all rights for Canadian distribution with a release date scheduled for 2024. (October Coast, 2023)

Director Karl R. Hearne was raised in Ireland and Québec where he studied at McGill before earning a graduate diploma from the University of Nanjing, China. His films have premiered at TIFF, SXSW and New Directors/NewFilms. His arthouse ghost story ‘TOUCHED’ was nominated for Best First Feature at the 2019 Canadian Screen Awards. ‘THE G’ is his second feature.

Ann Hunter (aka “The G”, played by Dale Dickey) and her husband retired to an unnamed American suburb 10 years ago to be near his family. But one day out of the blue they are snatched from their home by a corrupt legal guardian who believes they have hidden wealth. Their home and assets are legally stripped from them and they are put in a prison-like “eldercare facility,” victims of an exploding old age industry. Trapped in a corrupt and terrifying system, THE G begins to show her true mettle as she and her loyal granddaughter fight to get them out and get revenge on the people who did this.

A “winter-noir” based on real events/inspired by the filmmaker’s own family experience, THE G is an original portrait of a fierce older woman in the kind of role that a woman is rarely cast in. A highly atmospheric blend of suspense, dark humor, and moving human relationships that confronts age-related issues head on, THE G is driven by one astonishing main character, rivetingly portrayed by Dale Dickey, “One of Hollywood’s Great Scene-Stealers” (Vanity Fair, Fall 2022).

THE G also stars Romane Denis, Roc Lafortune, Bruce Ramsay, and Jonathan Koensgen. The film is line-produced by José Lacelle, edited by Arthur Tarnowski with music by Philippe Brault and sound design by Pierre-Jules Audet.

Writer/director Karl R. Hearne says, “This film is a “winter-noir” based on real-world elder scams, and inspired by my own grandmother’s story and character. It’s about a woman who- regardless of her age or situation- refuses to accept that her life is over. In a world where the elderly are frequently marginalized, neglected or abused, I think of this film as a revenge story against old age itself… old age being a condition that my grandmother once said she “would not tolerate.”

“At levelFILM, we strive to partner with talented creators and share their stories like this one to ensure they find their Canadian (and beyond!) audiences,” said Olivier Gauthier-Mercier, VP of Distribution at levelFILM. “THE G speaks to an unfortunately all-too-common human experience through incredible performances driven with heart.”