Destination Osoyoos (DO) says the comedy western movie ‘Gunless’ now being shot in the high desert hills near Osoyoos isn’t just putting a funny slice of western history on film – it is also making history by bringing an unprecedented boost to the Okanagan Valley’s film industry and to Osoyoos’ place in that industry.

In ‘Gunless’, starring Paul Gross (Due South, Passchendaele) and Sienna Guillory (Love Actually, The Time Machine), a notorious American gunslinger in the 1890s, the Montana Kid (Gross), finds himself in the tiny western Canadian town of Barclay’s Brush, unable to lay his hands on a pistol for his planned gunfight with a local rival. The movie is being co-produced by Rhombus Media of Toronto and Brightlight Pictures of Vancouver, and will be distributed by Alliance Films. It is being shot just west of Osoyoos, on a constructed 12-building replica of an old western town, located on the Testalinde pastureland of property owner Ace Elkink, on the lower slopes of Mt. Kobau.

Destination Osoyoos knew a major movie project like ‘Gunless’ would have a great impact on Osoyoos and the Okanagan film industry. For that reason, it did much to help with the arrangements which brought the film to this community.

And DO’s Tourism & Visitor Experience Director Jo Knight says, “Both of DO’s mandates – economic development and tourism marketing – mesh together perfectly to help bring about this kind of activity that benefits our whole community. We worked very hard to help make this production work for Osoyoos.” Knight adds that DO has made arrangements to have Osoyoos marketing images, including its “Canada’s Warmest Welcome” logo, displayed in future marketing of ‘Gunless’, raising the town’s visibility even more. “We’re thrilled that this major film production is bringing such great economic benefits to our local hotels, building material suppliers, restaurants, and other businesses – and even to Desert Park, where the film crew is storing some of their materials and has assembled some of the set designs,” Knight says.

Officials with the Okanagan Film Commission and the ‘Gunless’ movie say Osoyoos is the perfect spot for a film like this, and they agree that the production is bringing big economic benefits to the area.

Okanagan Film Commissioner Jon Summerland says that thanks to ‘Gunless’, the Okanagan is miles ahead of where it was on the film industry’s radar even just a year ago. Summerland says word is spreading rapidly in the industry that the Okanagan not only has some of the best locations and scenery for films anywhere, but it also has a critical mass of skilled professionals in all aspects of film work who are ready and able to produce first-class productions. He says about 15 local people are on the 100-person crew filming ‘Gunless’, and at least another 15 were involved in the pre-filming construction of the lifelike 1890s western town that serves as the set.

Summerland agrees that ‘Gunless’ isn’t just boosting the Okanagan film industry, it’s also providing a shot-in-the-arm to the local economy. He guesses that, “when you add it all up,” at least $85,000 is being spent in the Osoyoos area by the movie production and the crew members each day of shooting. With five weeks of filming and three weeks of pre-production work, that adds up to an injection of more than $4.5 million into the local economy. ‘Gunless’ Location Manager Rico Mielnicki, of Vancouver, says many on the crew spend hundreds of dollars a day at a variety of local businesses – including hotels, restaurants, golf courses, wineries, coffee shops and grocery stores. He adds that five or six are even looking at real estate in the area. Mielnicki notes that the western town set will be left intact and will be available as the setting for future western films that may be shot in the area. He thinks that will help to attract even more movie activity to Osoyoos.

Gross says the Osoyoos-area location is proving to be perfect for the look and feel the moviemakers wanted in ‘Gunless’. “It’s boiling hot and dusty. It’s one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and I’d come back here in a heartbeat,” Gross said. The cast of about 20 actors has been shooting ‘Gunless’ since May 20, with their days lasting 12-14 hours. Shooting should wrap up June 21.

‘Gunless’ producers are Niv Fichman, of Rhombus Media, and Stephen Hegyes, of Brightlight Pictures. Fichman agrees that the movie is helping to grow the Okanagan film industry. He notes that he has been pleasantly surprised at the professional talent in the Valley. Fichman added that he has even had the film’s website produced by a Kelowna company, and they’ve done a fantastic job.

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FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Glenn Mandziuk, Chief Executive Officer
Destination Osoyoos
Tel: 250-495-3366
Email: glenn@osoyoos.ca

Derek Noske, Chair, Board of Directors
Destination Osoyoos
Tel: 250-495-5558
Email: dgn@telus.net

The Destination Osoyoos Development Society is a non-profit grassroots organization committed to strengthening economic, physical, social and cultural conditions in the Osoyoos area. The goal of its Community Economic Development Strategy is to promote enhanced quality of life and a sustainable, diversified economy. It is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing diverse interests in the community.