‘The Pineville Heist’: Thunder Bay film professor Lee Chambers makes big-screen debut

It took Thunder Bay film professor Lee Chambers eight years (and more, if you take into consideration the entire process) to bring his first feature-length movie to the big screen. Originally a screenplay (co-written by Todd Gordon) and then a book penned by Chambers himself, he rejigged The Pineville Heist into film form.

Chambers, who has been screenwriting and directing short-length films for multiple decades, took on this new challenge and revelled in it. He integrated his project into his teaching at Confederation College in Thunder Bay, so students could garner big-set experience while working towards their diplomas.

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The suspenseful movie follows high school student Aaron (played by Aussie actor Presley Massara), who witnesses bank robbers kill someone in the forest. Aaron takes millions of ill-gotten dollars from the scene, and is then chased by the thieves, who want their money back. With much of the pursuing taking place in high-school hallways, The Pineville Heist is a claustrophobic nail-biter.

“The Pineville Heist has instant audience appeal,” said Chambers. “It’s about an everyday young teen facing the everyday challenges of growing up; the difficulties of relating to his father and fitting in with his peers. All the things that most people can relate to with growing up, it could be anyone.”

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Global News chatted with Chambers about bringing his project to life, how big of a role Thunder Bay plays in the film, and why this movie is a labour of love.

The movie was recently made an Official Selection at this year’s Toronto International Film & Video Awards with a nomination for Best Narrative Feature Film in the Mid-Budget category.

‘The Pineville Heist’ opens in select theatres on April 6 (check your local listings), and has a Hollywood red-carpet premiere on April 9.

Watch the video, above.