Sarnia hosts red carpet premiere of <i>Blindeye</i>

Sarnia hosts red carpet premiere of Blindeye

By STEVE COLEMAN - Sarnia Sun

The producers behind BLINDeye promise a red carpet for the film's debut.

A year of filming and post-production work will culminate Oct. 6 with the world movie premiere of BLINDeye at Sarnia's Imperial Theatre.

Some of the proceeds from the event will help kick start this year's $1.81 million United Way fundraising drive. Producers didn't want to say how much money they hope to raise for the charity.

Pro wrestling hall of famer 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, one of the starring actors in the independent film, has already said he plans to be in the audience for the debut. Lee/Stathakis Productions says it also hopes to have film co-star Nick Mancuso in Sarnia for opening night.

"It's going to be fun," executive producer Leo Stathakis said. "Think red carpets."

The 95-minute movie was shot in high definition during a week of filming at various locations around Sarnia, Petrolia and Wallaceburg.

It's a long way from where things began 15 years ago, Petrolia actor Levi Oliver said. He was in producer/director Mark McNabb's first project and has appeared in several of his independent films since.

"The scope of this project, right from the gear and equipment to the quality of acting is beyond the scope of any (project) I've ever worked," Oliver said. "It's a big achievement for Mark, myself and many others."

Filming in smaller communities was a lot of fun, Lambton County OPP Const. Joel Hookey said.

"It's amazing to see the support," Hookey said. "Nobody turns you down. The camaraderie between everyone in this neighbourhood and being part of this neighbourhood makes you proud."

Artist View Entertainment plans to distribute the film for the local production company. Negotiations are currently underway for the Canadian rights to the finished project.

Tickets for the Sarnia premiere are available at the Imperial Theatre box office. They're also selling tickets for an extra $10 after the screening to meet Piper and other people involved in the project. The money will go to the United Way campaign.

RELATED LINKS

Oct. 16, 2006: Blindeye movie debuts in Sarnia

Sep. 6, 2006: Locally-shot film, Blindeye, ready for debut