AFM: ‘Blackberry’ Star Jay Baruchel Joins Cast of XYZ’s Rom-Com ‘Mile End Kicks’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Jay Baruchel has reunited with the production team behind indie hit “Blackberry” on the upcoming rom-com “Mile End Kicks.”

The film, written and directed by Chandler Levack (“I Like Movies”), has just wrapped production in Montreal, and also stars Barbie Ferreira (“Euphoria”), Devon Bostick (“Oppenheimer”) Stanley Simons (“The Iron Claw”) and Juliette Gariépy (“Red Rooms”). Beloved Montreal rock band TOPS has written two original songs for the soundtrack, performed live by a fictional rock group in the film.  

The film is a Banner House Productions/Zapruder Films production and is produced by Pat Kiely (“Three Night Stand”) and Matthew Miller (“BlackBerry”). XYZ Films is financing the project via its New Visions initiative.

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In the film, Grace Pine (Ferreira), a 24-year-old music critic moves to Montreal in the summer of 2011 with the goal of writing a book about Alanis Morissette’s “Jagged Little Pill.” Instead, she falls in love with two guys in the same struggling indie rock band, vowing to become their publicist. The film portrays the Mile End music scene that birthed artists like Mac DeMarco, Arcade Fire and Grimes, as Grace grapples with romantic obsession and finding her voice as a writer.  

“We’re thrilled to reunite with Jay Baruchel after having such a great experience with him on ‘Blackberry’,” said Todd Brown, head of International Acquisitions, XYZ Films. “Jay is simply a brilliant performer who brings a fantastic combination of character and comedy and is a perfect complement to our already sterling cast. And as a longtime fan of the real-world music scene ‘Mile End Kicks’ is set within, it just doesn’t get any better than TOPS. It’s a delight to have them providing original songs for the film.”

Providing original music for the film, TOPS were formed in Montreal when song-writing duo David Carriere and Jane Penny decided to join forces with drummer Riley Fleck. Since then, they have become one of the most influential underground bands of the past decade, creating a space for sophisticated pop music in the indie world. They are best known for their albums “I Feel Alive,” “Sugar at the Gate” and “Picture You Staring.”

“Mile End Kicks” is produced with the participation of Telefilm Canada and SODEC. Elevation Pictures will distribute the film in Canada with Entract Films releasing in Québec. XYZ Films is financing in conjunction with IPR.VC and is handling worldwide sales minus Canada as a part of their New Visions slate of films, an initiative designed to spotlight new voices alongside established talent striking a new path in the international space.  The film is a majority Quebec co-production along with Ontario.

Baruchel is repped by CAA, Thruline Entertainment and Lichter, Grossman, Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, Shikora & Clark.