Here’s where the cast of Alberta-shot ‘The Thicket’ hung out while filming in Calgary

Wild Rose Country is a treasure chest and Hollywood has taken notice of its many gems! After much anticipation, the cast and crew of Alberta-shot film, ‘The Thicket,’ celebrated its Canadian premiere at the Calgary International Film Festival on Thursday and it was a Prairie lovefest.

“It was very cold, but it was also such a gift,” Leslie Grace, who plays Jimmie Sue, told Curiocity.

“You rarely get to have an experience where you see how that affects your process, see how that affects your process with other actors, and with getting to know people, and so in this case, I feel, and we all feel, that it really expedited the bonding process.”

This was important, because the film, as she would describe it, is about chosen family, and “really committing to the people that you love.”

“When we were on set we were kind of trying to distract ourselves from the cold, so we’d just yap,” she continued.

“Calgary in winter is just gorgeous, just visibly gorgeous so I can see why they chose to shoot it here.”

The decision to bring the film to Alberta was largely that of Director Elliott Lester, (Nightingale), who dedicated the film to his late father.

Inspired by other projects filmed in the area, such as ‘The Revenant‘ and ‘Hell on Wheels,’ it was a choice that had it’s challenges, but was worth it in the end.

“It sort of all made sense. We got lucky with everything except the weather,” he said, adding that it was -35°.

Of course, when they weren’t shooting the action-packed film in and around Calgary, the ‘Thicket’ crew were able to explore the city and its surrounding area.

“I had a routine every day,” said Grace.

“If my call time wasn’t too early, and things weren’t closed, no matter how cold it was, I would walk to Monogram Cafe.”

“Amazing coffee, great people, beautiful space.”

Lester, on the other hand, said he enjoyed Ten Foot Henry, was “addicted to Chinatown,” and despite a busy schedule, even explored Calgary’s backyard.

“We would walk around the city, I drove to Drumheller, I went to Banff, and I had a great time. There are really good restaurants here,” he said.

Want to see the film for yourself?

‘The Thicket’ also stars Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones), Juliette Lewis (Yellowjackets), Esmé Creed-Miles (Hanna), Gbenga Akinnagbe, (Edge of Darkness) and Levon Hawke (Blink Twice) and will soon be available on Tubi Canada.

Believe us when we say, it’s a wild ride.

Recent Posts:
Melissa McCarthy & Clive Owen are in Calgary filming a true crime mini-series
Love all things horror? Calgary’s ‘scariest’ experience is hiring right now