New Brunswick Film Premieres at TIFF

For the first time in more than a decade, a film from New Brunswick is making waves at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The movie, titled Do I Know You from Somewhere?, is put together by Fredericton’s own Strike Pictures.

Arianna Martinez, a filmmaker from Fredericton, is taking the helm as the director in her debut feature. She expressed the significance of this opportunity, stating, “This is a really really big deal. It puts this film on a global stage, which is always what you hope and fear when you’re making movies.”

The film runs for 80 minutes and is a blend of sci-fi and romance. It dives into the lives of a couple and how their choices shape their realities. Martinez shared her vision of the movie, saying, “It’s answering the question, ‘What would my life look like if I made a different choice?'” Interestingly, while the story explores themes of the multiverse, it steers away from using any fancy special effects.

As someone who aims to connect with viewers on a personal level, Martinez added, “When you look back at your own life, you can kind of pinpoint those pivotal moments that lead to big changes in your life. I’m hoping they can see themselves in these situations and see that we’re where we’re supposed to be and if we’re not it’s not too late to make a change.”

This project is the result of years of collaboration between Martinez, her husband Gordon Mihan, and co-producer Lance Blakney, who have been creating short films since 2015. Do I Know You from Somewhere? is their first venture into feature films.

The writing was done in partnership with Mihan, and Martinez emphasized how meaningful the story is to them personally, saying, “There are threads of truth in the story. It’s really meaningful to us and I think that’s what makes it so special.” The script also received support and funding from Telefilm Canada’s talent to watch program.

The filming took place in various locations including Fredericton, Maquapit Lake, and Bloomfield. Martinez reflected on the experience, stating, “It was amazing, it was so cool to be able to show that New Brunswick has a beautiful film community. People were so eager to help and be a part of making this movie, even if they weren’t a part of the film community.”

Almost all of the cast and crew were from New Brunswick, reinforcing the film’s tribute to the local talent and spirit. Martinez is hopeful that audiences will find the film accessible, whether they catch it in theaters or through on-demand streaming.