“Brotherhoood” Film, a True Story, is Coming to the Aron

Actor Peter Mucci born in Cobourg, Works in Hastings

Award Winning Canadian film set in the 1920s

Editor’s Note: The screenings are being presented by writer / director Richard Bell, and local actor Perry Mucci who will join him at the Campbellford and Cobourg screenings for audience Q&As.

Article by Valerie MacDonald News Now Network

Campbellford – Actor Perry Mucci, 44, born in Cobourg, who still works at the business his parents started in Hastings (Outpost Packaging), told the News Now Network when he read the “Brotherhood” script he wanted to be part of the project. He plays one of the leaders in the movie who run a youth camp and is on shore when an awe inspiring tragedy occurs.

“Brotherhood”, a Canadian film set in the 1920s, won a 2020 Canadian Screen Award. It tells the true story of a group of youth at a summer camp on Balsam Lake in the Kawartha Lakes, who had to fight for survival when an unforeseen thunderstorm overwhelmed their canoe trip.

The Canadian Screen Award-winning film will hopscotch through the region as it lights up the screens at four independent theatres in Picton, Cobourg (May 10), Belleville and Campbellford May 12.

Perry Mucci as Sydney

The story is about a capsized canoe on Balsam Lake in the Kawartha in 1926 and the news went around the world… it took place after WW1. The emotions of that episode are still as relevant today though many don’t know the story at all, Mucci explained.

“It’s part of our history…..those who live in Central Ontario….and it’s important to know these things,” he said. While he grew up here, and his parents – who remain in Hastings (his father canoed all through the Trent Severn Waterway during the 60s) – Mucci said he was unaware of the story until he read the inspiring script.

“I’m proud of the film,” he said, encouraging everyone to see it, not because he is in it, but because of the wonderful performances and musical score.

Russ Christianson, is founding president and the general manager of the Aron Theatre Co-op in Campbellford, one of the four locations where the film will be presented.

“I think it’s important to support Canadian filmmakers,” he said adding that he spoke to writer/director Richard Bell over a year ago and thought it would be a good film for private venues like the one in Campbellford. “It was world news at the time,” he added.

He has been instrumental in making the public showings of the film in the region.

Unfortunately, the film was released just as COVID-19 ramped up. “I have been speaking with Richard about doing something like this since the spring of 2021, when our theatre was still closed because of the pandemic. I am so pleased that our local independent cinemas have all enthusiastically come on board to support this Canadian film. Coming out of the pandemic, people in our communities need to have opportunities to get out again to socialize and decrease their pandemic-enforced isolation. We are excited about this opportunity,” said Christianson.