ZOMBIES INVADE MASSEY

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Massey - you’re probably used to hearing about dinner and a theatre performance paired together, but what about a car wash and a show?

It’s a twist that Jayson Stewart and his team put together as a fundraiser for his Indigenous film titled REZilience (previously known as The Darkest Dawn).

For $5 you can have a sparkling clean car, or for a little more you get a performance you wouldn’t normally see at a car wash.

“For $10 you are asked to prepare your cameras because zombies will attack your vehicle, smearing blood over the windows before pausing, shaking off their rage and cleaning up the mess and your car,” explained Stewart.

Don’t worry, it is not real blood that the zombie’s will be using on the vehicles. Stewart opted for the washable, non-staining stage blood like substances made from dish detergent, creamy sugar-free peanut butter, sugar-free chocolate syrup and washable poster paint.

Stewart said he confirmed 10 zombies willing to participate, however he is looking for double to triple the number to come out for the day.

“We need 20 to 40 native zombies for the movie and five zombies of any heritage for the car wash,” he said.

Stewart’s film is an Indigenous-based cast, and he wants the day event to represent the genre of the movie.

While you’re car is getting washed or attacked, you can browse the yard sale held in conjunction. Both run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CJ Auto located on 210 Sables (Highway 17) in Massey.

The day doesn’t end at a freshly washed car. Stewart has prepared a day of zombie theme events with the help of neighbours.

“The residents have been very excited about the movie, and even non-zombie fans are excited,” Stewart said. “The owner of Inspired Creations Cafe won’t watch any horror film, but supports the arts and had offered full and free use of her cafe after hours for our spaghetti supper and movie night.”

The price of admission, $10 for adults and $5 for children under eight years, covers the spaghetti dinner and the screening of the 1968 cult classic Night of the Living Dead. An extra $5 will buy you popcorn to snack on or spill over yourself when you jump at the scary parts of the film.

Massey’s Day of the Undead takes place on July 25.

REZilience

Stewart and his film team, made up of 60 people, struggled with the new name after their original was unusable.

“I made a first-time director’s mistake of not registering the name with the Writer’s Guild,” adding that a project in the United States claimed the name. “We racked our brains as a team and ended up (with) nothing we liked or (that) was available. Late one night, I searched for words that started with REZ I found “resilience” and REZilience was born.”

The REZilience team has been fundraising throughout the year, and came up with original ideas aside from the Day of the Undead. An online art auction was used to raise money off Stewart’s artwork.

Stewart and his team were aiming to raise $15,000 for filming the movie. He is hoping they will raise the $500 needed at the Saturday event.

They received $2,000 in private donations, more than $1,300 has been collected on their online fundraising page on Indigogo and Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nation’s donation brought them even closer to their goal.

“Two days ago, I had a meeting with Chief Paul Eshkakogan and council, and they donated 67% ($10,000) of what we need in exchange for producer credits and help in establishing an arts program in Sagamok,” said Stewart. “Sagamok council is exceptionally happy with the plot and they are excited about funding the project. Having the Sagamok community fund and endorse it legitimizes what we are doing and is a huge moral boost.”

Stewart said filming the zombie scene for REZilience beginning Aug. 7.

For more on the movie or ways to donate money, visit: www.judgementfilms.com.