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Film industry bears the brunt of tax credit loss

The movie “Stranded,” starring Christian Slater, is currently being filmed in Regina. It’s one in a long line of big movies filmed here. But since the government killed the film tax credit, it might be the last. That’s got Kevin DeWalt, owner of Mine’s Eye Productions, the company producing the film, worried. 

“Everybody that’s been developed in this industry the last 25 years, all the companies, are all basically moving to other provinces,” DeWalt says. He’s seeing his industry pack up and leave the province. 

“With Saskatchewan being the only province that doesn’t have [a film tax credit], it just means that absolutely no one’s going to come here. Why would they?” he says. 
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Christian Slater has shot movies here before. He’s disappointed with the government’s decision. 

“To put a stranglehold on or to not embrace the arts, is crazy,” Slater says. 

Recently, two major production houses have left the province. Local talent is not far behind. 

“Right now I’m thinking about when and where, not if [I leave Saskatchewan] because it’s a reality. I have to keep working and I’m an actor,” says Amy Matysio, a local Regina actor who stars next to Slater in this film. 

The Sask Party was unavailable for comment on Thursday, but earlier this month outlined a plan to consult with artists in an effort to keep the industry profitable. But for filmmakers like Kevin DeWalt, it’s too little, too late. 

“Unfortunately, once we’re all gone, this industry will never come back here.” 

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