Down to the Dirt

(Canada, 2008, 115 mins)

35mm

Selected Filmography:  

EXEC PRODS: Jennice Ripley, Nicholas Tabarrok
PRODS: Anna Petras, Justin Simms
SCRS: Justin Simms, Sherry White based on the novel by Joel Thomas Hynes
CAM: Jordan Lynn
MUS: Mark Bragg
PROD DES: Pam Hall
Cast: Joel Thomas Hynes, Mylène Savoie, Robert Joy, Hugh Dillon

It is highly unlikely that Newfoundland's Department of Tourism will use Justin Simms' debut feature film to sell visitors on the province, as it eschews the typical imagery of beautiful coastlines and quaint heritage homes in favour of dirty rain-soaked lots, bars and alleys. The word "quaint" is antithetical to Keith Kavanagh (Joel Thomas Hynes, Hatching, Matching, & Dispatching) whose loose handling of fire, love of the drink, and willingness to tell off police officers has made him an unpopular local figure in the Cove. When this Bukowski-esque hooligan meets Natasha (Mylene Savoie, Les Boys), he falls madly in love, and the two attempt to escape their troubles by moving to St. John's.

However, Keith's habit of creating his own trouble and his inability to do things (like pay the rent) eventually causes his relationship with Natasha to sour, and she leaves him to start over again in Halifax. Keith, being the persistent sort, decides to journey to Halifax and track her down. This visceral and darkly humorous story of hitting bottom and the difficult journey towards redemption is littered with empty bottles, debts and a hard-earned lesson from a Haligonian pimp Renny (Hugh Dillon, Trailer Park Boys: The Movie). Based on the novel by lead actor Joel Thomas Hynes. Watch for Robert Joy's performance as Robert Kavanagh, Keith's alcoholic father.

---

---

For ticketing information please phone 1-604-685-8297 or email boxoffice@viff.org