Big film hits small town B.C.

A small city in north Okanagan is gearing up to host a major Hollywood production starring Academy award winner Anthony Hopkins.

Enderby, population of around 3,000, is the main location for the feature film, Go With Me, for the next month.

“The community is buzzing over it, a major star is coming and it is thrilling. I know that everybody will be embracing the project in any way they can to make it work” said Enderby Mayor Howie Cyr.

The film features Hopkins as an ex-logger who is trying to help a young lady who is harassed by a crime lord.

Town fits film’s setting

The quiet city of Enderby just north of Kelowna, fits the criteria of the film’s settings. The story is set in a small Northwest Pacific town with a logging community.

[pullquote align=right]We only have to accommodate traffic restrictions, but given the magnitude of the project and the potential spin-offs for Enderby, we are willing to do that[/pullquote]

Mayor Cyr said the film’s production companies did a significant amount of scouting in the area and chose Enderby because it had the elements they wanted in their film.

“We only have to accommodate traffic restrictions, but given the magnitude of the project and the potential spin-offs for Enderby, we are willing to do that,” said Cyr.

According to reports in local media, approximately 150 people will be working on the production. Shooting begins Nov. 10, and is expected to end sometime around Christmas.

Local connection

Go With Me is being adapted from a 2008 Castle Freeman Jr.’s novel by the same name, and will be directed by Swedish director Daniel Alfredson. He is best known for directing The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest and The Girl Who Played with Fire.

The team behind the movie has a direct connection with Enderby. The film’s producer Rick Dugdale himself is from the city.

He now runs his production company, Enderby Entertainment, in California. It is one of the major producers of the film in collaboration with other companies.

“He’s always done that’’ said Cyr on Dugdale’s decision to bring the film to the city. ‘’He always find ways to give back to our city, he is extremely loyal to the community.”