Blackstone debuts second season
In the past couple of weeks, the media has whipped itself into a frenzy publicizing new American shows premiering in 2012.
But for the Canadian made Blackstone, an eight-part dramatic series of a fictional First Nations band that must deal with today's reality, the media has been surprisingly low-key.
What makes the award-winning Blackstone a cornerstone of Canadian television is that it takes an unvarnished look at corruption within a reservation. It also tackles issues ripped from the headlines.
"The layered storylines are very much authentic. They deal with foster care, toxic water challenging many reservations and missing Aboriginal women. It's a huge concern," says producer Jesse Szymanski of the Edmonton-based Prairie Dog Film + Television.
"Above all, they are First Nations human beings struggling with things all communities struggle with. The things that happen on Blackstone can happen in any community."
What gives this film an added kinship to the Capital Region is that it was shot in Namao in July and August 2011 under the direction of former St. Albert director Ron E. Scott.
Last season's cliffhanger ended with two shots being fired in Daryl Fraser's strip club.
Although Szymanski is hesitant to disclose too many plot details, she says: "We find out who gets shot. Leona (Carmen Moore) struggles with health issues and Gail (Michelle Thrush) battles her own demons with alcoholism."
Of the 14 top cast members there have been four new additions. Gary Farmer has been brought in to play the role of Ray, Cecil Delaronde's brother. Tantoo Cardinal is introduced as Gail and Leona's long absent mother, and Michelle Latimer appears as Victor's ex-wife. Georgina Lightning makes headway as an alcoholic mother whose disease is at the expense of her daughter.
Blackstone airs tonight on APTN at 9 p.m.
