14A - Advisories: Violence & Nudity

Please note this is a screening only - no Gala.

It has never been in doubt that as Albertans, our film industry is expert at making westerns. As a genre, the duster fits nicely into our Calgary civic culture, historical ranching roots and CIFF’s vision of Mavericks as both an attitude and artistic mandate.

Described by director Tiller Russell as a “western for this generation” that mashes up colourful characters, action and the spirit of the outlaw, THE LAST RITES OF RANSOM PRIDE is an edgy revision of the West set against the bloody 1911 Texas-Mexico border. Mixing modern machines and punk rock-inspired wardrobe, this imaginative western takes no prisoners—and neither does Juliette Flowers (Lizzie Caplan). On a quest to bring her dead lover Ransom Pride (Scott Speedman) home for a proper burial, Flowers crosses murderous paths with the worst in all the region. Hell-bent Reverend Pride (Dwight Yoakam) and kingpin Sheperd Graves (Kris Kristofferson) are but two of the obstacles in our hero’s path. With Ransom’s brother Champ (Jon Foster) by her side, Flowers tangles with a boundless army of oddities and bad-asses that include tasty performances by Cote de Pablo, Peter Dinklage, Jason Priestley and W. Earl Brown.

As our Closing Gala, this locally shot gun-toting romp full of stars and bullets is a perfect fit to remind us all that the West is a place full of big skies and bigger ideas when our Albertan talent gets on the same page. So shine up your boots and join us for THE LAST RITES OF RANSOM PRIDE.

TS