It's a story those in oil country are all too familiar with.
A family devastated by the drop in oil prices – parents laid off and struggling to find work, kids witnessing substance abuse and covering their ears at night as parents fight over finances. It's a story that local film maker and teacher Chris Cowden wanted to tell.
Earlier this month, viewers packed into the Lyle Victor Albert Centre alongside the cast and crew for the premiere of Sweet Oil.
“Patti (Chris' wife) and I have been living in Alberta for a long time now. With her being the executive director of the Boys and Girls Club and me being a teacher, we've seen children come form a variety of different households. We've seen a lot of conflicts in the community that are important issues people can and should talk about,” Chris explained of how he chose the subject matter. “We wanted to make a film that people could talk about the socioeconomic problems we see in Alberta and how we can solve some of these issues.”
This was the sixth full-length film for Chris, which he directs with the help of his producer and wife Petcharnin Cowden. With a run time of about half an hour, Sweet Oil was a unique project for the pair and came with many firsts.
There is no dialogue in the film, instead, they focused on telling the story through the positioning of the characters, music and sound, and the emotions of the actors.
“It was super fun. I was so excited just to be in front of the camera. There's no spoken words so you had to convey it in your face,” said 15-year-old Megan Yukim, who played the role of the eldest sister Coral.
Sweet Oil tells the story of a family fallen on hard times due to the plummet of the economy. The once picture-perfect family becomes the polar opposite when the newly-single mom turns to drugs and alcohol, neglecting the care of her 10- and 12-year-old daughters.
With a social worker keeping a watchful eye over the household, the family hits rock bottom before their situation turns around.
“A picture says a million things. When you look at this film and actually watch it and take it in, you're going to sit back and say ‘I'm that person or I know someone like that,'” expressed Annie Miller, who was cast as the social worker. “We hope it does a lot of good.”
Actor 11-year-old Rebecca Hornsey added, “It's just really a real life movie. What the movie is about really does happen in real life.”
To depict what life in Alberta is really like, the film draws on local talent and locations. All of the actors reside in the Lakeland, and the shooting was done in Bonnyville, Cold Lake, and Fort McMurray.
“One of the most unique things about this film is it actually takes place in oil country and is made by people who live and function in oil country,” said Chris. “We don't see a lot of films about this area made in Hollywood or in the Indie world.”
The film is already doing good things for the community. In addition to showing off the new work, the Cowdens used the premiere as a chance to raise money for the Bonnyville Boys and Girls Club. The event raised over $1,000 for the local non-profit, with 100 per cent of the funds from tickets going to the cause.
“I think it's important for people to be aware of the different issues we show in the film, and that's to support the family institution. It tied in with the Boys and Girls Club really nicely, because we also support the family institution in the community and society,” explained Petcharnin, who is also the executive director for the club.
The Boys and Girls Club provides after-school programming to local students, giving them a safe and positive environment while their parents are still at work. Money raised from the premiere will go towards funding the many activities they participate in, as well as the after-school snacks.
With the Sweet Oil premiere wrapped up, the Cowdens will be sending their latest work to film festivals throughout North America, and around the world. Petcharnin noted they have “high hopes” for this film, and are thankful for all those in the community who have supported them throughout the three-year process.
