Toronto graphic novel set to hit the big screen

If you've been holding your breath for Benjamin Rivers' graphic novel Snow to see its film adaptation in all its Queen West adoring (and commiserating) splendor, that wait is just about over. Toronto film maker Ryan Couldrey is set to debut his feature of the same title October 27 at the Revue, with free drinks thanks to Gamercamp and all proceeds from the premiere going to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation - and municipal election results to be announced as the credits roll. Free drinks.

The film itself is a black and white, 5K budgeted, mumblecore version of Empire Records, with hyper specific Toronto references abounding and many a streetcar sighting as it laments the basicification of Queen West through the eyes of a scrappy bookstore employee watching high rents lead to independent businesses falling like dominos all around her - and attempting to solve a murder. The shots themselves are echoes of the pages of a graphic novel and the slow pace is soothing, if a little downbeat. (Free drinks.)

You might want to make yourself a double now - Couldrey tells me that the laundromat featured in key scenes in film (and in the poster image) "shut down not long ago. Another one bites the dust."

Snow premieres October 27 at the Revue (400 Roncesvalles). Tickets are $10 and all ticket and raffle proceeds to go to The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.

Preorders of the film are also available for $9.99 - but since it will be streaming for free online soon, the order includes a "full VOD package" of "the full movie, Snow The Video Game, the full original film soundtrack, a digital edition of the 165 page graphic novel, at least six bonus videos, the script itself, and more."

Couldrey, Rivers, and actress Kira Hall will be at a Gamercamp conference panel October 17th at Hotel Ocho at 2:15pm.

Update: You can now watch the film online here or below.