We Speak Movies

|TRAILER| Polaris: an icy, futuristic thriller with an all-female cast

Published

2 years ago

October 18, 2023

Featuring polar bears and a headstrong heroine, the new post-apocalyptic thriller Polaris is out in cinemas on 3 November and VOD on 7 November 2023. Set in 2144, the film follows 10-year-old Sumi’s fight for survival in a frozen, inhospitable world.

The film is carried by the outstanding young actress Viva Lee, who plays Sumi – through her eyes, we see a different perspective on this dystopian world. Sumi narrowly escapes capture from the brutal Morads and sets out alone across the vast subarctic landscape. When she stumbles across the mysterious Frozen Girl, an unlikely friendship is forged and together they race ahead towards the guiding light of the Polaris star.

Despite a a challenging subartic shoot for cast and crew, Polaris retains its strong vision throughout. Executive producer Patrick Ewald explains: “When I met the Polaris filmmaking team at the Frontières market, I was immediately drawn to the story and environmental messaging of this project. It’s amazing to see what KC has accomplished and brought on screen.”

“I can’t wait for audiences to see Viva Lee Sumi’s award-winning performance in this incredible film.”
Executive producer Patrick Ewald

“I want to encourage an emotionally immersive audience experience that is more empathy-based, intuitive and universal.”
Writer and director KC Carthew

Polaris is Carthew’s second feature film, following her multiple-award winning debut feature, The Sun at Midnight (2017) starring Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs from Reservation Dogs. Recognised for spectacular world-building in her visual storytelling, Carthew excels in bringing forth award-winning performances, cultivating innovation and pushing both technical and narrative elements to new heights in her work.

Polaris has already won awards at film festivals around the world, including multiple Best Performance awards for Viva Lee (Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival, Fantasmagoria, LEO), the Audience Choice Award at the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival, the Jury Award at the Reel 2 Reel International Film Festival For Youth and a Visionary Award for KC Carthew (Seattle Make Believe).

Polaris

Synopsis: Set in the frozen world of a post-apocalyptic 2144, a young girl raised by a polar bear must fight to survive after she is captured and escapes from a brutal warriors.

Directed by: KC Carthew (The Sun at Midnight, Fish Out of Water)

Produced by: Max Fraser (Bond of Strangers: The Operation Husky Story, Martinis of the Wilderness), Paul Cadieux (Advocate, Gaza), Alyson Richards (Children Ruin Everything, Before I Change My Mind), Kirsten Carthew (The Sun at Midnight)

Written by: KC Carthew (The Sun at Midnight, Fish Out of Water)

Starring: Viva Lee (An Unexpected Christmas, Deadly Class), Khamisa Wilsher (The Flash, Charmed), Muriel Dutil (Ressac, Curling)

Run Time: 89 minutes

Language: English

Territory: US Only

Theatrical Release Date: November 3, 2023

VOD Release Date: November 7, 2023

The film, a co-production with Epic Pictures, is written and directed by KC Carthew, and is executive produced by Patrick Ewald (Epic Pictures CEO and owner); Paul Cadieux (winner of the 2003 Genie Award for Best Motion Picture for The Triplets of Belleville); Alyson Richards (an Ontario-based producer and writer, known for The Retreat, Don’t Talk to Irene and Guidance); Kirsten Carthew (Elijah and the Rock Creature, The Sun at Midnight) and independent Yukon filmmaker Max Fraser.

Also starring in the film are Muriel Dutil (Ressac, Niagara) as Dee, and Khamisa Wilsher (a Canadian actress, model and singer-songwriter) as Frozen Girl.

ABOUT EPIC PICTURES

Founded in 2007, Epic Pictures is an independent content studio with the mission of delivering the best-in-class genre entertainment “for fans, by fans.” Epic Pictures produces, finances, and distributes approximately twenty-thirty independent genre films a year. In 2013, the company established Epic Pictures Releasing which is its US focused distribution division. In 2017, Epic Pictures acquired the world’s most popular horror website, Dread Central, and launched its unique horror label, Dread, followed by its AVOD channel, DreadTV. In 2019, Epic Pictures started the horror gaming site, DreadXP, with a focus on editorial, reviews, podcasts, and original streaming content. In 2020, DreadXP began a video game production and publishing division in collaboration with some of the most innovative developers in the independent gaming space.

Related Topics:actors featured film we speak media

Up Next

Establish Yourself Before Considering Relationship With Men – Former Actress Josephine Konadu to young ladies

Don't Miss

Marisa Milroy: A Filmmaker with a Passion for LGBTQIA+ and Mental Health-Driven Stories

Anna Sutton

We Speak Actors

Full-Figured Flings Teaser Nears 14K Views – Director of Photography Offers Special Father’s Day Release

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

MJ Savino

Back 2 the Basics Production Management Group is proud to announce the official teaser premiere for FFF: Full-Figured Flings, a bold and unapologetic new film celebrating full-figured women and challenging the norms of beauty in Hollywood. Clocking in at just 46 seconds, the teaser doesn’t waste a moment, delivering a powerful visual and emotional punch that sets the tone for a project rooted in body positivity, size inclusivity, and cultural truth.

Premiering ahead of the 20th anniversary of Phat Girlz (2006), FFF serves as both homage and evolution. The film expands the conversation around colorism, sizeism, and shapeism, spotlighting women who have often been cast aside, sidelined, or silenced.

“This teaser is more than a preview—it’s a declaration,” said Lillie Mae Jones, creator and producer. “FFF is our love letter to the women who’ve never been centered but have always been essential. We’re not just telling stories—we’re shifting the lens.”

FFF: Full-Figured Flings is currently in development as a non-union independent production, with plans to release in 2026. The film invites audiences and allies to follow, support, and amplify the message through community engagement, open casting calls, and creative collaborations—including the launch of a nationwide call for a “Big Girl Anthem” to serve as the film’s official theme song.

Accept the Challenge…

The buzz is building fast around the highly anticipated full-figured fashion experience FFF, and now there’s a challenge on the table that fans won’t want to miss.

After racking up 11,000 views in less than 10 days, the official teaser video for FFF on YouTube is quickly gaining momentum. And now, the film’s Director of Photography, Dominique Perry, has thrown down a bold offer:

“If we hit 20,000 views before Saturday, June 14th, I’ll drop an exclusive second teaser on Father’s Day.”

This is more than a film—it’s a movement. FFF is a high-fashion, high-impact visual celebration of full-figured women taking a stand for representation, inclusion, and power on and off the runway.

Here’s how you can help make it happen: Watch the teaser now on YouTube. Like, comment, and subscribe. Share it with your community and post why YOU stand in solidarity with full-figured women

Watch here for a taste of the boldness, beauty, and energy