Branford Native Filmmaker's Movie 'Northern Shade' Screening May 3

BRANFORD, CT — Branford native Christopher Rucinski’s film Northern Shade, shot in various locations across greater New Haven, will be screened in junction with New Haven Docs, on May 3 at Best Video Film & Cultural Center in Hamden.

The film focuses on OEF Army veteran Justin McLaughlin, who lives a life of solitude on his boat in Connecticut, working a menial job and avoiding his past. When his estranged brother Charlie goes missing, Justin is forced from isolation and teams up with a private investigator named Frankie to track him down. Together, they discover Charlie’s been recruited by an extremist militia planning an unknown attack. Justin must decide how much of his Army past he’s willing to bring to the surface to extract Charlie from the clutches of their paramilitary leader Billy. Justin needs to reconcile his own sense of purpose and regain his brother’s trust before the militia goes through with Billy’s violent plan. Set during the COVID-19 pandemic, Northern Shade focuses on purpose and redemption in an age of heightened anxiety and isolation.

Here's a review of the film from Rotten Tomatoes.

Rucinski is an award-winning filmmaker and member of the Motion Picture Editors Guild. Northern Shade is Rucinski's feature directorial debut and stars Jesse Gavin (Loki, The First Lady) in his first lead role.

Northern Shade won several festival awards including Best Screenplay at Phoenix Film Festival, Best Actor at DTLA Film Festival, and Best Narrative Feature at Fargo Film Festival. It had theatrical releases in New Haven and Los Angeles and is now available on all major VOD and Blu-ray. Rucinski is a graduate of Emerson College and former video editor for the New England Patriots.

The Best Video Coffee Bar will be open for beer, wine, and café drinks. Tickets are $15 General Admission/$10 Students & Veterans.