#SXSW: “STAY THE NIGHT”

By Amanda Gilmore

Canadian talent is on display at SXSW ’22 with Romantic Drama Stay The Night.

Reserved and very single Grace (Andrea Bang from Kim’s Convenience) spends her days focused on her career and rarely goes out. But when she misses out on a job opportunity at her workplace she decides to take-up her friend and roommate, Joni (Humberly González) on her offer for a night out. When Joni ditches her for a guy, Grace meets Carter Stone (Joe Scarpellino), who unbeknownst to her, is a professional hockey player on the outs. After their attempt at a one-night stand goes awry, they end up spending the evening walking and talking through the streets of Toronto.

Writer-Director Renuka Jeyapalan has created a sweet Romantic Drama that puts Toronto in the spotlight. Although Stay The Night repeats the concept of other one-night romances before it, it stands-out because of its setting. We rarely get to see Toronto shown the way it is here. We see the streets, the transit, the hotels and the food that make the city special. Additionally, it is so unique because because of the Film’s characters.

Grace is on a quest for something that she’s never experienced before. Bang is outstanding in this dramatic role as the reserved and determined Grace. She plays her with restrain while allowing her natural charisma to come through. Therefore, the audience understands and cheers Grace on.

On the other hand, Carter has experienced the very thing Grace is seeking. However, he’s in need of the one thing Grace can help him with: making a career choice. This is where the romance comes in. Each helps the other, at least for the night. Scarpellino is great as the contemplative Carter. This Romance works due to the chemistry between Bang and Scarpellino.

Stay The Night screens at SXSW ’22 as follows:

In-Person:
Saturday, March 12 at 9:45 PM EST – Alamo Lamar A

Monday, March 14 at 12:45 PM EST – Alamo Lamar A

Wednesday, March 16 at 7:30 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 1

Wednesday, March 16 at 8:00 PM EST – Violet Crown Cinema 3

Online:
Sunday, March 13 at 10:00 AM EST – Available for 48 hours

#FIRSTLOOK: “FLOAT” BEGINS PRODUCTION IN VANCOUVER

Collective Pictures, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios, and Brightlight Pictures team together with Lionsgate on an upcoming adaptation of FLOAT, based on Kate Marchant’s hit Wattpad romance of the same name. The Film will star Robbie Amell and Andrea Bang, with filming having begun this week in Vancouver.

The exciting and diverse ensemble cast includes Andrew Bachelor (Greenland, Vacation Friends), Rukiya Bernard (Van Helsing, Nancy Drew), Michelle Krusiec (Hollywood, Hawaii Five-O), Sarah Desjardins (Riverdale, Van Helsing), Ghazal Azarbad (Kim’s Convenience, Charmed), and Tristan Arthurs (Kung Fu).

Synopsis:

In a spontaneous act of defiance, pre-med bound Waverly (Bang) makes a summer detour to a sunny beach town, where she finds herself dragged into the riptide of a stubborn but charming local named Blake (Amell). Things heat up when Blake learns Waverly can’t swim and offers to teach her. Surprisingly, the two seemingly opposites start to fall in love and Waverly has to decide between her pre-planned future or following her heart.

More details to come!

(Photo credit: Wattpad)