By Alex McCuaig

Hilda movie filming

Hilda backdrop for post-apocalyptic film shoot

Oct 6, 2019 | 4:08 PM

Hilda, AB – A ragtag group of survivors of a post-apocalyptic disaster were scurrying around Hilda for the past week as an Alberta-produced movie was shooting in and around the hamlet.

“It’s an epic feature so we really wanted to capitalize on the environment and beautiful vistas, locations and settings which play a big role in it,” said Aleisha Anderson, producer and director of the film, regarding the film’s shoot in southeastern Alberta.

“It’s a journey film, primarily a character piece, set in a post-apocalyptic time so we were really looking at the last few survivors and their will to survive and questions they have about the sanctity of life and where they find hope,” she said.

Anderson said the film also looks at the unsavoury side of humanity as the group of survivors seek to complete their journey.

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Nathan Horch, co-producer, writer and actor, said the cataclysmic-theme is something which has a draw for audiences looking to place themselves in a fictional environment in which they are challenged to make tough decisions.

“When you are doing a story where you have stripped away everything that we’ve had in a future – hopefully not near – there is something where you can explore some really core human things,” said Horch. “When you stripped away all the things that we’ve built up. . .when you take that away, we’re looking at the core essence of humanity.”

Calgary-based actor Edward Ogun portrays one of the film’s protagonists and said the backdrop of the abandoned Hilda Hotel and school and the natural landscape make for a great feel for the movie.

“Especially when we go out to the badlands. Being in that location feels so real it’s hard to fake it,” said Ogun.

Father of Nations wraps up primary filming this month with a possible release date of next year.