Kire Paputts new film "Junkie Run" screens @ Hamilton Film Fest, Sunday

"Junkie Run" – feat. the music of Teenage Head & Chris Houston – premieres at Hamilton's Playhouse Cinema on Sunday at 1 pm.

Kire Paputts' micro-budget Steeltown epic Junkie Run – being called "The most 'Hamilton' film you'll ever see" – will be screening at the Playhouse Cinema (177 Sherman Ave. North) on Sunday (October 26) at 1 pm as part of the Hamilton Film Festival. Junkie Run was shot entirely in Hamilton with a cast of local talent. The cast and crew will participate in a Q&A after the screening.

Junkie Run is a dark comedy caper film centred around a community of misfits at a local dive bar. When the regulars get word that Foggy, a local junkie, is on the run with a bag full of money from a botched drug deal, they each scheme, backstab and claw at one another to be the first person to find Foggy and take the money.

Says filmmaker Kire Paputts "About half the roles in Junkie Run were written for specific people. Many of these actors I’ve worked with in the past. For some it’s our first collaboration. I’ve spent years building a roster of characters. Consisting of friends, family, and muses. And I’m constantly adding to my Rolodex. Always looking for new talent. The idea of building a community is very much inspired by John Waters Dreamlanders and the trailer park community of Giuseppe Andrews films. I’ve slowly been gravitating towards that idea for the last 10+ years."

The soundtrack and a soundtrack featuring songs by Teenage Head and Chris Houston. Sez Chris "Some of the movie was shot in my house... Mickey Skin did a scene in my bed which she thought was going to collapse!"

"Junkie Run is packed with music," continues Paputts. "Both original score and licensed recordings. All original songs were written and produced by Devon Goldgerg. Performed by Morricone Youth. Our third collaboration.  We ended up licensing 16 songs. This allowed me to showcase some of my favourite local artists, either from the Hammer or Toronto. Working on The Last Pogo Jumps Again with Colin Brunton was a great education in Southern Ontario punk/new wave.

"When it came time to find songs for Junkie Run I had a pretty good selection of artists to pick from. We didn’t have a lot of money so I’m grateful to all the artists who helped us out: Teenage Head, The Ugly, Chris Houston, John Borra, Handsome Ned, Jelly ToofLy, Chris Haight, Screamin’ Sam, Man Crush, Dildoniks, ACR, Kimbo Red Splizz and Wayne Larabee (The East End Sensation).

"I really wanted to get an early Forgotten Rebels song in the film but the individual who controls the master recordings wasn’t very helpful. I also had a particular song for the opening credits, but it was gonna cost me as much as all the other songs combined. But I’m thankful. I stumbled across another song which works a million times better. Sometimes the universe does that.

"A special thank you to John Borra for producing and wrangling some great musicians for “Last Man In The Bar.” A song that was written by John Hamlton and my father in the 70’s, but was never properly recorded until now.  Maybe we’ll release a soundtrack in the new year. Until then you’ll be able to toe tap along to these great artists at the upcoming Junkie Run screening."

Advance tickets are $12 available right here. Watch a snippet here.

The first 20 people who show up for the Junkie Run screening at the Playhouse get a swank t-shirt like Liz Worth is wearing.