STORYWORLD

Characters | POLARIS STAR | wardrobe | production design | landscape | makeup | special FX | stunts | storyboardS | animals |

The world has upended, and we find ourselves in a remote part of the world, during forever-winter, where women endure a vicious lifestyle, reflective of a brutal environment, inherited from the cruel disregard of generations prior. This is a world where toxic green goo runs thicker than blood in fish and wild animals. The women number few within a massive territory, where everyone labours to survive. But, there are factions of marauders (MORADS), who band together and use their collective brutality to raid, hunt, and remain formidable from attack. To be a Morad requires a relentless work ethic, enforced by peer accountability. In return, one might live longer because there is strength in community. To be other than a Morad is to risk attack from them – and requires an uncommon aptitude for survival.

Polaris Star

The Polaris star, also known as the North star, is considered to be the brightest star in the night sky (in the northern hemisphere) that is also the most consistent for appearing to not move. Having a bright, fixed point creates for reliable navigation. Explorers across cultures have long since used the star to navigate their way across land and sea. The star is found in the constellation of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor - referring to the small water bear). More people are familiar with the “bigger” version of the Little Dipper, which is the Big Dipper (Ursa Major- meaning large water bear). In the film the Little and Big Dipper Constellations do not yet exist. It is Sumi’s mission to follow the polaris star to see where it leads.

Meet Sumi

Sumi is the courage and heart of the film. She was raised in the wild by Mama Polar Bear and has an uncommon aptitude for survival. As such, she is an instinctual being whose language is not formed with words but is completely transparent through the use of primal expressions and sounds that resonate with all humans and animals. Sumi has the confidence, intelligence and fierceness it takes to live and survive in nature – but, she also has the gentleness. It is seen in her relationship with Mama – the way she loves to play and her responsiveness to the emotions of the trees. It is in her love for the details of nature – in her respect for life. All she knows of her life before Mama is represented by the tattoos of the North Star on her hands. She uses them as a map to track her history forwards and backwards – and in doing so, fulfills her destiny.

*Click on an image to scroll through the gallery

Characters

*Click on an image to scroll through the gallery

DEE is a recluse who is tolerated by the Morads, but has a kind heart and connects with Sumi.

Rescued by Sumi, FROZEN GIRL becomes her unlikely ally in her quest to escape the Morads and find her mother.

STAG | Morad

GREENIE | Morad

RED | Morad

HORNS | Morad

Costume Design

*Click on an image to scroll through the gallery

Landscape

90% of the film was shot outdoors on location in the Canadian subarctic. The intention was to showcase a frozen story world. For all we know New York, New Brunswick or New Mexico could be buried underneath it. When we first meet Sumi and Mama Polar Bear they are on a frozen desert, beyond a treeline. Their mission to follow the North Star takes them on an adventure towards the treeline, where the Morads live.

Production Design

The production design was inspired by the notion of “Mad Max in the Arctic”. Our Design Team set about designing set pieces, including the snow machines, from salvaged machine parts.

*Click on an image to scroll through the gallery

Makeup

*Click on an image to scroll through the gallery

DEE is the only character with a facial difference in Polaris and it is important to distinguish that she is a good "guy". In doing research for the film, we connected with organizations representing individuals with facial differences and learned more about the #iamnotyourvillian campaign for equal representation of visible difference in film. The campaign calls on the film industry to stop using scars, burns, marks and other visible differences as a shorthand for villainy. #changingfaces.org.uk and #aboutface (Canada).

Special FX

We were pleased to work with the Blood Brothers, out of Quebec. These guys are the pros for weapons, pyrotechnics, puppeteering… and blood.

*Click on an image to scroll through the gallery

Stunts

Our female stunt team blew us away - jumping off of cliffs, getting yanked and dragged by snow machines, and undertaking major fight sequences all in subzero temperatures.

*Click on an image to scroll through the gallery

Storyboards

This animated opening sequence provides a brief overview of the prequel story to Polaris and shows how Sumi and Mama Polar Bear met.

Animals

Our all female cast features Agee the Polar Bear and Two Dogs, Mako and Stripe.

HOME | ABOUT | STORYWORLD | CONTACT