The Maiden
a GRAHAM FOY picture
Synopsis
A perfect summer day ends in tragedy, weaving a cosmic connection between three suburban teenagers. Best friends Colton and Kyle float the river, trade dreams, and spray-paint in the local ravine. Like the boys, Whitney explores the ravine, seeking solace by writing and drawing in her diary. But when her best friend abandons her, Whitney disappears. The kids’ lives swirl with natural wonder and beauty, but darkness and death loom not far behind. The discovery of Whitney’s diary transports us to a mirror world. A magical ravine. A paranormal encounter. The return of a dead black cat. Is this a dream? The afterlife? Once deeply connected, are we ever really alone?
Director’s Statement
"I grew up in the community in Calgary, Alberta where The Maiden was filmed and spent much of my teenage years hanging out in the ravine, the film’s central location. The Maiden is not completely autobiographical, however, there are many personal connections to events, characters and places contained in the film. For me, The Maiden is a poetic vision of teenage friendship, loss and grief broken into two parts which share a cosmic connection, revealing layers of meaning and purpose even amidst moments of deep despair".
Graham Foy
Stills
Press
Economical, elliptical and altogether haunting…a film that knows what it’s doing – and surprises us at those moments when it reveals its larger design.
Screen International
"Best new discovery (of Venice): The Maiden by Canadian director Graham Foy, which starts out as a laid-back slacker study but takes a left turn to somewhere eerily dreamlike".
The Guardan (Jonathan Romney)
"Transcendent and organic all at once. While the performances are raw, Foy and cinematographer Kelly Jeffrey blend them seamlessly into an aesthetic that is casually beautiful and elusive…“The Maiden” comes across as a real gift."
Movable Fest
"A memorable piece of filmmaking that drifts into the surreal with its dreamlike images and visionary occasional score"
Filmuforia
"An intensely atmospheric meditation on friendship, grief, and both the pains and wonder of being an outsider, The Maiden is a haunting work that lingers".
The Globe and Mail
"A potentially major directorial voice — one that manages to articulate and amplify”
Toronto Star
“Striking poignance…Foy asks us to slip into the thought processes of a teenager where time is flexible and can easily fold in on itself…the strongest feeling is one of longing for connection, not just to another human but to the natural landscape, the textures of which are captured beautifully.”
Eye For Film
"Foy’s vision is a formalist one, and he shows a confident hand in making his debut…
ICS (International Cinephile Society)
The Maiden has its own rhythm and visual language, in which light and darkness, sound and silence dictate mood. Foy has created a beautiful, at times haunting, tale of friendship and grief…”
"Pervaded by a magical realism that puts everything we know into question...all the atmosphere of being a dream..when the credits begin to scroll a mixed feeling of relief and anguish grips the viewer...Not to be missed."
Hot Corn
"The vision of this first-time director fascinates and intrigues"
Cinematographo
"Goes much further than we imagine…This first film is a promising and moving success."
Le Polyester
Festivals
& Awards
BNL for cinema of the future to Graham Foy
Contemporary World Cinema
TRT First Cut+ Award
Karlovy Vary
CHICAGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
CINEAST FILM FESTIVAL
Cast & Crew
| Jackson Sluiter | KYLE |
|---|---|
| Marcel T Jiménez | COLTON |
| Hayley Ness | WHITNEY |
| KALEB BLOUGH | Tucker |
| SIENA YEE | June |
| CHARLOTTE CLARKE | Charlotte |
| DUSTIN WHETTON | English Teacher/Football Coach |
| CLEM MARTINI | Guidance Counsellor |
| MACAULAY PETERSON | Terry |
| DIANA PRUS | Shop Teacher |
| CHERYL FOGGO | Teacher |
| OMARI FRASER | Football Coach Asst. |
| HEATHLEY PAINE CAMBALIZA | Heathley |
| ADRIENNE FOSSHEIM | Colton’s Mom |
| KOLBY ZELL | Colton’s Brother |
| Written and Directed By | GRAHAM FOY |
|---|---|
| Producers | DAIVA ŽALNIERIUNAS - F F FILMS INC. |
| DAN MONTGOMERY - MDFF | |
| Associate Producer | CANDICE NAPOLEONE |
| Cinematographer | KELLY JEFFREY |
| Editor | BRENDAN MILLS |
| Production Designer | ERIKA LOBKO |
| Sound Recordist | IAN REYNOLDS |