Filming is underway on the movie thriller One Mile as well as its sequel, with the productions anticipated to contribute approximately $4 million to the economy on Vancouver Island.
The film stars Ryan Phillippe as an estranged father determined to rescue his daughter, played by Amélie Hoeferle, when she is captured after they run across a hostile group of people in the woods.
One Mile and One More Mile will be mostly shot in Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Port Alberni, according to producers, father and daughter Aaron Kaplan and Jaiden Kaplan. Production started Sept. 9 in Victoria before things move up Island after a few days.
“We’re shooting all practical, meaning we’re not building any sets," said Aaron. "We’re using locations to be universities during the college tours, but really where this movie takes place is in the woods."
Phillippe's character Danny must track down his daughter and her kidnappers after she is taken while on a college tour. C. Thomas Howell plays the movie's main villain, Stanley.
Inspiration for the premise is based on the experience of Aaron and Jaiden, who embarked on a college tour before Jaiden started at Duke University.
"Jaiden’s just graduated from Duke University, so she came up with this idea and she wrote this treatment back in 2018," Aaron said. "So here we are in 2024 and we’re making it and it’s been a really wonderful, fun journey as a producer but also as a father to be able to work with my daughter on her first job out of college, which happens to be making two motion pictures."
Filming is scheduled to take place until early November.
“This franchise, with these two movies is going to bring about $4 million to the local economy and about $9 million to B.C. in general," said Jaiden. "And then through the movies we’re employing over 700 people in monthly and daily hires and then we have over 50 vendors who are providing their services.”
One Mile is the first film by Aaron's company Kapital Entertainment shot on Vancouver Island and he says the main reason it's been brought here is Michael Lohmann, another of the film's producers.
Lohmann “really has been the boots on the ground and the guy really responsible for bringing this movie to Victoria,” Aaron said.
The Island was sold as a production location through both its natural beauty and varied landscapes, but also its people, he added.
“It’s the people that we invest in and it’s the place we invest in and it’s the process we invest in,” Aaron said. "It’s just been a real pleasure during pre-production being surrounded by people that want us to do good work. We feel really supported.”
The films are directed by Adam Davidson and are intended for a theatrical release from Paramount Global’s label Republic Pictures. Phillippe is also a producer in addition to his starring role.
