#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “SUGAR”

Prime Video announced the premiere date for the crime thriller feature Sugar. Set to debut on November 18 in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand exclusively on Prime Video, the fictional drama navigates events inspired by the dramatic real-life story of two Quebec influencers, known as the Cocaine Cowgirls. The two influencers are seduced into joining a luxury vacation aboard a cruise ship bound for Australia. The dream trip quickly becomes a nightmare when the women find themselves ensnared in a deadly drug-smuggling operation and only have each other to trust as they try to plot a way out.

Filmed in Montreal and Mexico, the film stars Katherine McNamara (Walker: Independence, Maze Runner, Shadowhunters ), Vancouver-born Jasmine Sky Sarin (Drink Slay Love, Perfect High), Montreal’s Éric Bruneau (Coroner, Laurence Anyways), and Anthony Timpano (Imperfect High, Riverdale).

“Sugar demonstrates our commitment to working with Canadian producers and bringing compelling stories to our customers,” said Nav Saini, head of content, Prime Video Canada. “This fascinating story shows the dark side of social media, giving young-adult audiences a look at influencer culture in a whole new way.”

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Prime Video for the first time on a scripted version of a story inspired by headlines here in Canada and around the world,” said Tina Pehme, co-CEO, Sepia Films and Pablo Salzman, president, Connect3 Media. “We were immediately drawn to this fascinating tale about the allure of social media and the lengths people will go to be liked.” 

A Canadian-Mexican co-production from Sepia Films, Kanan Films, and Connect3 Media, the film is directed by Vic Sarin (Partition). Sugar is executive produced by André Barro, Christelle Conan, Petra Wersch, and Peter Nadermann. The producers are Tina Pehme, Kim C. Roberts, Israel Gonzalez, and Pablo Salzman. Cineflix Rights distributes the film internationally.

The film adds to the slate of Canadian Amazon Originals, including The Kids in the Hall, The Lake, LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs, LOL: Qui rira le dernier?, and The Unsolved Murder of Beverly Lynn Smith. Since 2015, Amazon Studios has filmed over 25 Amazon Original series and films in Canada, including The Man in the High Castle and Upload in British Columbia; The Boys, Reacher, and The Expanse in Ontario; Tales from the Loop in Manitoba; as well as parts of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and The Voyeurs in Quebec.  

Sugar joins thousands of TV shows and movies from Hollywood and around the world in the Prime Video catalog, including award-winning and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, The Boys, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Paper Girls, and more. 

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: APPLE TV+ ORDER SERIES “SUGAR”

Apple TV+ have announced a new Series Order for SUGAR. The Sci-Fi Series will star Colin Farrell, who also serves as Executive Producer. Creator Mark Protosevich (‘Thor”, “The Cell”) also will be Executive Producer.

Hailing from Apple Studios, the new series is set to be directed by Academy Award-nominee Fernando Meirelles (“City of God,” “Constant Gardner,” “Two Popes”), who will also serve as Executive Producer, and executive produced by Academy and Emmy Award nominee Simon Kinberg (“X-Men” films, “Deadpool” films, “The Martian”), Audrey Chon (“Invasion,” “The Twilight Zone”) and Scott Greenberg (“The Guilty”). Chip Vucelich also executive produces.

“Sugar” marks the second collaboration for Kinberg’s Genre Films and Apple TV+, and will stream alongside the global hit series “Invasion,” which recently received a second season renewal. The series is a moving, character-driven science-fiction drama series, co-created, written and executive produced by Kinberg and David Weil.

More to come.

(Photo credit: Matt Easton)

#FIRSTLOOK: “PRIME VIDEO PRESENTS CANADA” SHOWCASE

We were so thrilled to attend the Prime Video Presents Canada Showcase at historic Massey Hall. The event highlighted Prime Video‘s place as not only a streaming service, but an Entertainment Hub focusing on shining a spotlight on homegrown talent and voices, to the diverse audience that is Canadians. Partnerships with the likes of StackTV has allowed Prime Video to diversify its audience base which traditionally might’ve subscribed to certain networks and specialty channels only on cable.

Head of Prime Video Canada, Magda Grace tells us, “This has been many years in the making. We want to draw focus to local talent in-front of and behind the camera. shining spotlight on homegrown talent.”. “Our focus is customer obsession and curating the best entertainment for diverse local audiences.”.

To date, there have been 25 Prime Video productions based in Canada and they currently are developing ten Canadian productions to be enjoyed around the globe. The numbers speak for themselves. Prime Video subscribers thanks to hit series like The Wheel of Time, are streaming 70 more hours of programming per year, in over 240 countries around the world.

An exciting slate of programming was unveiled today at the event, focusing entirely on productions that were made here in Canada or have been green-lit to be made in Canada soon!

KIDS IN THE HALL

Iconic Canadian Comedy Outfit KIDS IN THE HALL are back and their hilarious brand of Sketch can be seen on Prime Video beginning May 13, 2022. All five original members reunite on the Series, which just premiered at SXSW ’22 and appearing today at the event were Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson. A two-part Documentary about KIDS IN THE HALL also will arrive on the service May 20, 2022.

On their long-awaited reunion, McCulloch summed it up, “Isn’t it funny to hear old people talk dirty??”.

GARY AND HIS DEMONS SEASON TWO

Toronto Funnyman Mark Little‘s Animated demon-slaying Series called CBC and CBC Gem its own for its first season. Its second season will be coming soon to Prime Video Canada! In 2019 it was awarded Best Web Series at the Canadian Screen Awards.

Little tells us he came up with the idea for the Show while he was in the hospital with a broken ankle, taking stock of life.

THE LAKE

Perhaps the most-buzzed title at the presentation this year was THE LAKE. The Series was filmed in North Bay starring Orphan Black‘s Jordan Gavaris, Madison Shamoun and Hollywood star Julia Stiles.

Showrunner Julian Doucet tells us the Series actually is quite autobiographical. He says, “After high school, me and my girlfriend gave-up our baby for adoption. We chose the parents and are very involved with our daughter’s life. The Show explores what if me and my daughter took a vacation together?”.

Stiles tells us, “The experience moving to North Bay was beautiful. I was not familiar with the society of the lake. It was very insular. The lake is the Lake. Their games nights were a ride or die charades. They know everything about each other. Their lake is the only lake on the planet.”.

On her character Maisy, she says, “She’s competitive, petty and selfish. She likes to see the competition fail. It’s so satisfying and now I feel like a horrible person.”.

THE LAKE arrives June 17, 2022 on Prime Video Canada.

THREE PINES

Filmed in Quebec, upcoming Series THREE PINES, based on the Novels by Louise Penny, stars Alfred Molina. Penny tells us how moved learning that Molina was cast in the role of Armand, whom is based loosely on her husband whom she says, “understood the gift of life”.

Molina who couldn’t make it to Toronto, tells us via video about his experience filming in Quebec. “My preparation involved reading the Novels. He is operating on different levels. Armand‘s strongest trait as a Detective is his empathy for both victims and perpetrators. I had the best experience working with the Crew, filming from August to late December and you’ll see us following the seasons through the episodes. It was beautiful and I’d work with them for the rest of my life.”.

THREE PINES arrives in 2023 on Prime Video Canada. Left Bank Pictures, which produces THE CROWN, also produces.

THE UNSOLVED MURDER OF BEVERLY LYNN SMITH

This upcoming Docu-Series recalls a 50+ year murder case which still remains unsolved. Smith at the age of 22 was murdered in Oshawa and the Series puts a human face to true crime, while revealing all twists and turns with empathy. Directed by Nathalie Bibeau, the Series arrives May 6, 2022 on Prime Video Canada.

SUGAR

Feature Film SUGAR stars The Shadowhunters’ Katherine McNamara, Jasmin Sky Sarin and Riverdale‘s Anthony Timpano. It is based on a true story of two girls from Montreal who went on a boat cruise, only to get way more than they bargained for. Sarin and Timpano were in-attendance at the presentation.

Sarin says, “These girls go on a beautiful cruise, going to amazing places, documenting everything online. They’re having fun till they aren’t. This is not what they signed-up for and they find themselves in a drug smuggling operation, fighting for their lives.”.

LOL: QUI RIRA LE DERNIER

If you loved LOL: Last One Laughing Canada, hosted by Jay Baruchel, a Quebec version of the Comedy Reality Series Competition putting Comedians against one another, is soon to be filmed! Actor Patrick Huard (Bon Cop, Bad Cop) will host.

JUSTE POUR RIRE

Nav Saini, Head of Content, Prime Video Canada announced today that the service will be collaborating for the first time ever with Just for Laughs on a French Comedy Special, to be filmed in Quebec. The Special is to be titled JUSTE POUR RIRE. More to come.

THE STICKY

Just green-lit this upcoming Series, from Executive Producer Jamie Lee Curtis, is based on a true story of Ruth Clarke and the Maple Syrup Heist. Filming for this Blumhouse production is to begin this Summer as Lee Curtis told us via video.

UNTITLED THE TRAGICALLY HIP DOCUMENTARY

Mike Downie, brother of late The Tragically Hip Frontman Gord Downie, helms an upcoming Documentary due in 2024 about his brother and the Band’s success and legacy. The surviving Bandmembers attended the event. Fun fact, we learned that the Band actually got signed to a record deal after playing at the Toronto Music Awards, which took place as Massey Hall – a full circle moment.

(Photo/video credit: Prime Video Canada/George Pimentel)