Movie buffs grab your popcorn and get ready! A film made by Peters First Nation member and filmmaker Andrew Genaille is currently available for viewing — and it was shot entirely on the iPhone 12.
Shot on mission, Genaille’s second feature film, Rehab, was shot in 19 days with three iPhone 12s. Genaille, who wrote, directed and produced this film, says that shooting on the iPhone saved the crew a lot of time. It also provided much-needed flexibility at all stages of filming and production.
“Yes, no, I like to shoot on iPhones and mobile phones,” says Genaille. “It was funny because when we pitched together, I had a page and a half on why I wanted to go back to [iPhone 11]. And while we were waiting for funding, the iPhone 12 came out. I got one of those and did some test shots. My Director of Photography did some testing on it and we were able to send the test out and everyone was excited about it.”
Starring Tahmoh Penikett, Eric Jonson and Jennifer Podemski, Rehab centers on a man — dealing with the recent loss of his father, who forces a famous actor to live in the woods until he gets sober. Penickett plays Jacob, a First Nations man whose daughter is obsessed with the famous actor Brad, a famous actor struggling with his separation from his wife. Brad is played by Johnson.
“It’s the story of a man dealing with death all around him,” says Genaille. “When I wrote this script, it was maybe two months after my father died. And that was maybe 11 years after my grandfather died. So I was able to experience my father going through his grieving process. And then, you know, I went through mine and I was able to compare it.”
Genaille says his love of film started at a young age, when his family was still living on military bases, and has stayed with him throughout his life. Born in Saskatchewan, Genaille moved to Hope as a teenager and attended Hope Secondary School. He is a graduate of the Victoria Film School and Capilano College (now Capilano University) which he attended for their film program. In addition to Rehab, Genaille also wrote and directed the feature film White Indians Walking and wrote the screenplay for Two Indians Talking.
He has written, directed and produced numerous television series, short videos and animated short films.
His next feature film, which he plans to shoot on the iPhone 14, will be shot in Chilliwack. This time, combining dramedy with Sci-Fi, the story will focus on a community of natives who return home after a UFO has settled over their reserve.
“I like to take situations that are usually dramatic and dark and make them comedies,” says Genaille. “They are easy to digest. It’s also easier to get over the drama by laughing than by crying. You can do this whole emotional journey with, basically, dark comedy dramas — with dramas.”
Those interested can watch Rehab on iTunes, Xbox, Youtube and Googleplay.
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