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Comforting Skin screening at The Royal in Toronto!

Posted on February 21st, 2013 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

We are very happy to announce that Comforting Skin will be screening at The Royal theatre in Toronto on the evenings of February 27th and 28th. For ticket information and screening times please click through the logo below the fold…

Comforting Skin selected for the Minneapolis Underground Film Festival!

Posted on June 5th, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

We also just got word that Comforting Skin will be screening in competition at this year’s Minneapolis Underground Film Festival!

Comforting Skin to screen at Mausoleum Horror Convention!

Posted on June 5th, 2012 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

We are very excited to announce that COMFORTING SKIN along with MANBORG will be the headlining double-bill at the Mausoleum Horror Convention in Philadelphia!

synopsis

Awkward, average looking, and lacking any real self-confidence, Koffie has always felt she neither fits in nor stands out. These insecurities caused her to move around in dangerous circles, exhibit destructive impulses, and lie uncontrollably. But now she thinks she has turned the page…

Koffie’s life is in transition. She has stopped peddling drugs for her ex-boyfriend Alan and now works three minimum wage jobs. She has been taken under the wing by a neighbour named Synthia, a club-hopping Barbie at the end of her shelf-life. Koffie has even begun to reconnect with her estranged family.

The only constant in this time of change is Koffie’s childhood best friend Nathan, a sociophobe who has been her conscience in times of need. In return Koffie has always acted as his lifeline to the outside world, doing his errands, and even taken it upon herself to cure his phobia of people by slowly re-introducing him into society. Indeed her life is full of promise.

But try as she might to keep herself busy, Nathan’s demands, her ex-boyfriend Allan’s endless female conquests, and existing in Synthia’s shadow do nothing to embolden Koffie’s sense of self-importance. Escaping the rain one dreary night, Koffie finds herself within the warm shelter of a tattoo parlor starving yet again to feel special. When asked what she wants, the only answer to pass her lips as she gazes the wall of tattoo designs is to have ‘something unique’. Inevitably, the act of getting a tattoo does little to fill Koffie’s insatiable void. In the weeks that follow, she spirals ever downward, and ultimately finds herself standing at a precipice. Koffie does not want to go on. So she places a blade to her wrist. And begins to press. But unlike the many times before where she’s done so for attention, this time she does so without restraint…

And it is during this darkest moment the tattoo comes to life on her skin.

With a soothing whisper and an electrifying touch never experienced, the tattoo stops her. Immediately her desire for death is replaced by a thirst for life. Crazy though she may be, Koffie does not care. Slithering and pulsating, the tattoo shifts and dances on her skin like nothing she’s ever felt. It knows every inch of her. Its embrace is overwhelming. Koffie is enraptured.

Disappearing into a world of sensory pleasures, Koffie’s surreal relationship with her tattoo eventually has its casualties. First affected is the fragile relationship with her family. Next the usually self-centered Synthia finds herself both curious and resentful of Koffie’s newfound happiness. And most tragically a rift between Koffie and Nathan begins to form. As much as she cares for Nathan, Koffie is convinced by the tattoo to wean herself from Nathan, leaving him alone and isolated. ‘It’s our time to be selfish,’ the tattoo argues, ‘Our time to enjoy life!’

Koffie quickly learns however, even the most unique relationships can become stale and confining. Before long the tattoo has stripped-away all she had of an identity and covets her completely, sabotaging any relationships that get in the way. Monotony and mistrust eventually lead to a wandering curiosity in others, jealousy ignites into cruelty and violence. For once the tattoo realizes if ever there comes a time where it’s not needed, that it would cease to exist, it does everything in its power to ensure Koffie will always need it.

Fearful for her life, Koffie finally turns back to Nathan and reveals her secret. But Nathan is neither convinced nor prepared for how strong a hold the tattoo has on her, and soon finds himself in great danger as well.

In the end Koffie must look to herself for salvation. But how do you end a relationship existing in heart your mind, and played out on your skin?

the cast

Victoria Bidewell as “Koffie”

At the age of seventeen, Victoria was accepted to The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA), and moved from Vancouver B.C, to Pasadena, CA. Three years later, Victoria was accepted to the British American Drama Academy, a Juilliard program in Oxford England, where she studied Shakespeare with Sir Ben Kingsley. She then returned to complete her third year at AADA and began performing on stage with the company in and around Hollywood.

Victoria’s first role and big break was in the feature film ‘What Lies Beneath’ with Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer. She has also appeared in ‘Good Luck Chuck’, ‘Alien Vs Predator: Requiem’ and of course her starring role in ‘Comforting Skin”. Television roles have included ‘The L Word,’ ‘Supernatural,’ the pilot for ‘Hiccups’, the Hallmark movie ” Kiss At Pine Lake” and numerous commercials.

Victoria has also built a strong body of theatre work. She gained critical acclaim as the lead, “Chrissy” in David Rabe’s gripping play, In The Boom Boom Room, which brought her a slew of supporters including Hollywood royalty, Halle Berry. Her fearless performance in this play was also the catalyst for Victoria being cast as the lead character “Koffie” in Comforting Skin.

Tygh Ruyan as “Nathan”

Born in Vancouver, Canada, the critically acclaimed young star has established a reputation for taking creative risks and his versatility. Starring roles in Independent feature films include, EMILE, opposite Sir Ian McKellen, VARIOUS POSITIONS (garnered Runyan a Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award), Jacob Tierney’s (Genie Award winning)TWIST, COME TOGETHER, MY FATHER’S ANGEL, KITCHEN PARTY, Carl Bessai’s UNNATURAL & ACCIDENTAL, BOOT CAMP, Mort Ranson’s TOUCHED, co-starring Lynn Redgrave, Sook Yin Lee’s TORONTO STORIES (premiered at the 2008 Toronto Film festival) and THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION OF LITTLE DIZZLE (premiered at 2009 Sundance Film Festival), Monte Hellman’s TRAPPED ASHES and the upcoming THE ROAD NOWHERE which premiered at the 2010 Venice International Film festival and NIGHT FOR DYING TIGERS which premiered at the 2010 Toronto International Film festival

Memorable roles in SNAKES ON A PLANE, K19: THE WIDOWMAKER with Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson, ANTITRUST alongside Ryan Philippe and Tim Robbins, the thriller 15 MINUTES, with Robert De Niro and DISTURBING BEHAVIOUR with Katie Holmes and Nick Stahl.

Recurring roles in Showtime’s THE L-WORD, DEAD LIKE ME, and the SyFy series STARGATE UNIVERSE. Other credits include USA Networks’ mini series TRAFFIC.

Runyan plays guitar in the Vancouver indie rock band, THE AWKWARD STAGE. A twice Leo nominated composer, Runyan has scored the films VARIOUS POSITIONS and RED DEER. Runyan studied art at the Emily Carr College of Art in Vancouver and he also established a theatre company in the early 1990s.

Jane Sowerby as “Synthia”

Sowerby grew up in Kelowna, BC and at age 19 attended THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ARTS summer acting classes in New York. She was then accepted to study full-time at New York’s prestigious NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE but opted to pursue rock and roll singing aspirations instead. She honed her chops fronting various bands including ‘A TRIBUTE TO JANIS JOPLIN’. She eventually landed in Los Angeles and was repped by Crosby, Stills & Nash manager Gerry Tolman and Montley Crue’s attorney. But alas ‘she devil-big-haired-rock chicks’ were going out of fashion and a recording deal was evasive. After years on the road she retired her spandex, hairspray & tube-tops and moved to Vancouver B.C. where she found steady work acting in film & television while continuing to write songs.

She has had guest star and supporting roles on such shows as DaVinci’s Inquest, The Outer Limits, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Dead Man’s Gun, Mysterious Ways, Poltergeist, The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico, Beautiful Joe, Cold Squad and most recently the new Canadian feature Comforting Skin. She has had recurring roles on TV series including Cra$h & Burn (Showcase), Instant Star (CTV), Mentors (Family Channel), Cold Feet (NBC) and David Steinberg’s Big Sound . As well as acting Jane also writes and directs and was recently selected to be one of eight across Canada to participate in the WOMEN IN THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR 2011 program.

Phil Granger as “Allan”

Philip Granger is widely considered one of Canada’s premier actors. Having starred in over forty feature films, and guest starred on dozens of televisions shows, Philip, like many elite actors, started his career in theatre.

While residing in Los Angeles, Philip won a variety of awards for his work in theatre, including the prestigious ‘Los Angeles Theatre Alliance Award’, for Best New Director. Granger also took home two ‘Hollywood Drama Logue Awards’. For ‘Outstanding Achievement in Theatre’ in both directing and acting.

Philip co-founded the critically acclaimed ‘Naked Stage Theater Company’, at the Cassandra Gaylor Theater, in LA, with the mandate of producing original works. He held the position of Artistic Director, and teacher in residence of the Cassandra Gaylor Theater, from 1985-1991.

In front of the camera, Phillip has starred in roles opposite Robert Duvall, Christian Slater, Nicolette Sheridan, Malcolm McDowell, and Selma Blair. On television, Philip was a series lead on Destiny Ridge, and CTV’s popular, Neon Rider, for which he received a coveted Gemini Award. Most recently Philip guest starred on ABC’s, V, as well as a recurring role on Battlestar Galactica’s prequel, Caprica. Phillip can also been seen in the film Tucker & Dale vs Evil, a buzz generating hit at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

the filmakers

Derek is the creator of Comforting Skin, bringing his unique vision as both the film’s writer and director. Previous to directing Comforting Skin, Derek wrote and directed several music videos, short films, documentary and commercial projects. Much of his past directing work has creatively utilized extensive digital effects and 3D computer animation. In addition to Comforting Skin, Derek has written several other feature film screenplays, and currently has a sci-fi action feature entitled Smartparts, in active development.Outside of his feature film writing and directing, Derek has also worked on more than 70 television commercials in a variety of production positions, and served as an assistant animator on the MTV/Nickelodeon cult hit TV series Ren and Stimpy. Comforting Skin is Derek’s debut feature film.

Justin is serving as producer on Comforting Skin, a project he has actively developed over the years. Justin is currently working as a freelance consultant for Vancouver based BLT Productions where he oversees the development and packaging of the company’s television projects, working with US, Canadian and international broadcasters and distributors. Through BLT Productions, Justin has also served as Associate Producer on the TV Movie Last Chance Café and as Co-Producer on the TV Movie Daughter of the Bride. Justin is also the owner of Vancouver based Brainstorm Productions, through which he has produced several music videos, short films and commercial projects. Earlier in his career, Justin trained and worked as a 3D animator on such TV shows X-Files, Cold Squad and Millennium, and later as a digital effects producer on the children’s film MVP: Most Valuable Primate.

Andrew is serving as a Producer on Comforting Skin, and is a key investor in the project. With a family history of owning London’s famous Drury Lane Theatre, Andrew was exposed to the world of Showbiz from an early age. English born and raised, he started his Film & Television career behind the lens as a lighting cameraman on various shows for the BBC, Channel 4 and other networks taking him across the UK, Spain, Croatia and Poland. In 2002 Andrew moved to Vancouver BC, shifting his focus to the Talent Management industry. After running a new agency and tripling its client base he was quickly scouted by one of Canada’s top Talent Agencies where he began to guide some of Canada’s premier actors. In 2006 Andrew opened Webster Talent Management (WTM) to better provide his clients with his expertise. In Television he has secured and brokered deals for clients on Series Lead and Guest Star roles and in film he has placed clients opposite such Oscar winning actors as Sir Ben Kingsley and Robert Duvall. Andrew now brings his knowledge, contacts and negotiation skills toward the successful production and distribution of Comforting Skin.