While picturesque small towns in the Ottawa Valley have become well-known in recent years as the perfect locations for making successful Hallmark Christmas movies, an independent film that premiered in mid-October is challenging this trend.
The feature film Painted Sharks is not formulaic and does not play it safe. This suspenseful, edgy drama portrays a no-holds-barred gritty reality circa 1979. And far from being a sugar-spun fantasy, it was inspired by true events and has a Restricted rating.
A dark psychological thriller, it boldly portrays social issues such as domestic violence, addiction, and child exploitation. The plot revolves around Valerie Shaver, earnestly portrayed by Robynne Eaton. She is a woman with a troubled past trapped in an abusive relationship with her violent, heavy-drinking boyfriend, Vernon Parks. Valerie contemplates leaving her loutish partner and suffers the consequences.
Kody Poisson as Vernon Parks. Photo courtesy of Brian Lutes.
Her daughters Ricki and Stephanie are caught in the crossfire. Ricki, who is suffering from early teenage angst and hanging out with a particularly bad crowd, is a target of Vern’s bullying. Younger sister Stephanie is traumatized by her father’s abusive behaviour and longs for family harmony. This is not only a story of a family in crisis but of three generations of women: the conflicted Valerie, her supportive mother Primrose, and impulsive daughter Ricki.
Writer, producer, and director Brian Lutes delivers an understated yet compelling performance as the sympathetic neighbour Jason, a Vietnam veteran with a mysterious past who befriends the family. Jason’s car is emblazoned with, you guessed it, a painted shark. “Sharks seem to be misunderstood and people fear what they don’t know,” Jason explained.
Brian Lutes as Jason and EllaGrace Gardner as Stephanie. Photo courtesy of Brian Lutes.
Born in Ottawa, the multi-talented Lutes lives in Hollywood, where he works in the film industry. Painted Sharks is the sixth feature film he has written, directed, and acted in, and he has shot films in the U.S., Mexico, Europe, and North Africa. Lutes is also a musician and the father of international recording star Jordan Lutes, known professionally as Jutes. Watch for two of Lutes’ films in the new year, including the Civil War drama One More Time Before I Die and the science fiction feature Blue Skies on Mars.
Lutes returned to the Ottawa Valley in the summer of 2021 to film Painted Sharks with scenes shot mostly in Pembroke and Renfrew, but also in Ottawa, Douglas, Smiths Falls, St. Jacob’s, Killaloe and Chapeau (Quebec). Most of the cast and crew were from the Ottawa Valley. Lutes is quick to acknowledge that the film was made possible thanks to the generosity of the communities who pulled together to support the film.
“Painted Sharks was inspired by childhood memories,” revealed Lutes. “Many of the characters are based on people I grew up with… it was an emotional and surreal experience to recreate my childhood home and breathe life into loved ones who’ve been gone for several decades. This was a very personal story, and I feel the actors and crew that worked on this project invested their heart and soul and simply nailed it.”
Robynne Eaton as Valerie Shaver and Meri Spencer as Primrose. Photo courtesy of Brian Lutes.
Lutes submitted the rough cut of Painted Sharks to five festivals and was delighted when all the lead actors won Best Actor awards. The film also won an ensemble cast award, and his cousin Ted Lutes and Eaton won Best Producer awards.
The accolades were well-deserved. The production values of the film are high and the retro ambience was well-captured, from the classic cars and period homes to the groovy wardrobes and excellent soundtrack. The Ottawa Valley’s beautiful landscapes and small-town charm were well-represented, although the film is set in the northern USA. “The U.S. audience is just a lot bigger than Canada’s, so I decided to appeal to the largest audience we could,” Lutes explained. However, references to regional landmarks like Mooney’s Bay and Pink Lake serve as an inside joke to Ottawa Valley viewers. Locals might also be amused that some scenes were shot inside Barefax, the ByWard Market “gentlemen’s club” of 50 years’ standing.
Painted Sharks showcases some enormous talents. Eaton’s performance as Valerie Shaver is unflinchingly realistic, and we root for her as she tries to extricate her family. Kody Poisson as Vernon Parks expressively demonstrates classic abusive behaviour, alternating between controlling and violent to charming and manipulative. Meri Spencer considers her role as Valerie’s mother Primrose to be the highlight of her acting career. Her character has a kindly and reassuring presence amid the chaos her loved ones are experiencing.
Aliah Nizaha, who was 14 at the time of filming, realistically portrays Ricki as she deals with anger, pain, and alienation related to her family’s dilemma. Her sensitive performance also shows Ricki’s struggles to feel accepted as she gravitates to an exploitative older friend (fiendishly portrayed by Jordan Oattes). Nizaha’s efforts earned her three Best Actress awards from the Five Continents International Film Festival, the Best Actor and Director Awards New York, and the New York International Film Awards.
Aliah Nizaha as Ricki. Photo courtesy of Brian Lutes.
Participation in Painted Sharks was a family affair for Nizaha, who lives in Eganville and attends Opeongo High School. Her mother encouraged her to audition after seeing a notice from a local arts organization, and pitched in to assist with field recording. Her younger sister Dania also has a cameo as a younger Ricki.
Although Nizaha has experience in theatre acting, this was her first film role. “I had no training for film at all, but Brian (Lutes) coached me through the whole process,” she said. Nizaha is proud of the accomplishments of the cast and crew and thrilled with the recognition the movie has had so far. She was surprised and honoured to receive her awards and hopes to have future film roles. But for now, Nizaha is enjoying being in grade 10 and looks forward to drama class next semester, taking vocal lessons and working on some musical theatre.
For more information, including future distribution, see the Painted Sharks website.
