An ambitious sci-fi action thriller created by Alberta filmmakers is set to explode onto screens at Landmark Cinemas this weekend, offering audiences a front-row seat to military-grade excitement made entirely with local talent.
Behind the Scenes of Contamination
The film follows a team of quick-witted mercenaries dispatched by the CIA to investigate a mysterious research facility in the remote wilderness of Alaska. What sets Contamination apart is its authentic casting, featuring local actors alongside real military personnel who bring credibility to the intense action sequences.
Writer and co-director Neil Chase, 52, explains the project's origins: "When we were considering what to do next, I wanted to create something not typically produced here in Alberta. We decided to develop an action-packed project with military elements that would be both entertaining and distinctive."
Alberta Stands In for Alaska
The production company Brimstone Pictures, comprised largely of hands-on Generation X filmmakers, transformed numerous Alberta locations into the film's Alaskan wilderness setting. Shooting occurred at the University of Alberta, areas near Fort Saskatchewan, Elk Island National Park, the former Brazeau Mine in Nordegg, Villeneuve Airport, and Horseshoe Lake outside Jasper.
Producer Preston Ewasiuk notes the timing was particularly poignant for their Jasper footage: "We filmed there approximately ten days before the devastating wildfires. That footage likely represents the last documentation of that location in its original state."
Indie Filmmaking with Professional Results
Ewasiuk doubled as drone operator during production, bringing remarkable topographical clarity to the outdoor battle scenes and highway sequences. "When you're working on an independent film," he laughs, "you inevitably wear multiple hats."
This multi-tasking approach paid dividends, resulting in remarkably immersive action sequences that Chase acknowledges drew inspiration from video games like Fallout, Grand Theft Auto, and Call of Duty, combined with his appreciation for classic 80s action films such as Predator and The Thing.
Chase had previously created shorts with similar gritty, frontline aesthetics and decided to expand the concept into a feature-length production. "We realized we had the necessary resources, expertise, and equipment readily available," he explains.
The production utilized authentic aircraft, Humvees, and numerous realistic weapons and body armor that contribute to the film's convincing military atmosphere. The attention to detail ensures the production quality rivals that of major studio releases while maintaining its distinctive Alberta roots.
