Zombies to depict colonization of First Nations in new movie

Morning North6:59Film will feature First Nations and Zombies

He admits it could be controversial, but an Espanola high school teacher turned film maker wants to combine First Nations and zombies. Jayson Stewart plans to shoot a trailer this summer. He joined us by phone with more details.A high school teacher in Espanola says he plans to weave a political message into his proposed zombie movie.

Jayson Stewart is preparing to film a trailer for a movie he's calling the "Darkest Dawn".

Stewart says he wants to use zombies to depict colonization of First Nation people in Canada.

While he is not of aboriginal heritage, he said he’s “been growing and understanding in respect and I've been working very closely with First Nations actors, directors and elders to make sure that this film is not only accurate, but is also reflective of reality.”

He said he is hiring as many First Nations actors and crew for the trailer as he can. Filming will take place in Massey and Sagamok Anishnawbek, in northern Ontario.

The movie’s plot involves outsiders targeting an isolated village for destruction, which he says is a parallel to colonization.

“So they come to it with a very genocidal perspective without realizing that the people in this community will rise up against this attack and will not only survive, but become a lot stronger through this process,” he said.

Stewart said he hopes the trailer will raise awareness and money to make the rest of the movie.