Highland Film Group is officially launching film sales at EFM for The Refuge, from director Renny Harlin (Cliffhanger, Die Hard 2, The Legend Of Hercules). Casting efforts are currently underway for the new horror thriller which will commence principal photography in April in Bulgaria.
Penned by action sci-fi writer Ben Sztajnkrycer, The Refuge hails from Revelations Entertainment and B2Y Production. Harlin is producing alongside Yariv Lerner (Hellboy, Rambo: Last Blood), Rob Van Norden (Olympus Has Fallen, Rambo: Last Blood), Gary Lucchesi (Underworld franchise, The Lincoln Lawyer), Michael McKay (Brahms: The Boy II), Lori McCreary (Invictus, CBS’ “Madam Secretary”).
In this horror-thriller, Sergeant Rick Pedroni comes home to his wife Kate changed and dangerous after suffering an attack by a mysterious force during combat in Afghanistan. Officials say her husband suffered a heavy brain injury, but Kate knows it is more than PTSD. As Rick undergoes unsettling therapy with other traumatized soldiers, Kate discovers he has been possessed by a malevolent spirit. Kate has to race against time to unmask the truth and save her husband from the evil force.
Harlin also directed crime thriller Bodies At Rest, Jackie Chan actioner Skiptrace and fantasy sword thriller Legend Of The Ancient Sword. Highland Film Group’s Delphine Perrier and Arianne Fraser are exec producing The Refuge alongside Revelations Entertainment’s Kelly Mendelsohn.
“I love making horror films because of the visual opportunities and character studies they offer.The Refuge is a terrifying journey into the deepest corners of the human spirit. It’s not just a regular horror film about a haunted house or a merciless killer. It’s an examination of what can happen when an evil, demonic spirit possesses an innocent mind. I will take the audience on a visually stunning journey of unprecedented terror and emotions that cut deep into our souls. The Refuge is a movie where no place is safe, and no character will escape the darkness that only true terror can create. I’m excited to reunite with producer Yariv Lerner, and Gary Lucchesi, whose passion and experience are exactly the elements that I thrive from. Arianne Fraser and Delphine Perrier are true movie lovers and Highland Film Group is the perfect home for this film.”
“Renny is one of the most iconic directors of our time. His terrific talent and unique vision directing horror and action films have made him an audience and critics favorite. The Refuge is the perfect film for him to, once again, reveal his masterful skills of the genre. We are honored to be working alongside him and the distinguished group of excellent producers that have brought us some of the most successful films of recent years,” said Highland Film Group CEO Fraser. “The Refuge is full of gripping twists and turns that leave you breathless as you are drawn deeper and deeper into the horror of this family’s trauma. Its Renny at his best and his fans will not be disappointed,” continued company COO Perrier.
Some of Highland Film Group’s diversified production and sales slate includes: Mark Neveldine’s Panama starring Cole Hauser and Mel Gibson; Randall Emmett’s Wash Me In The River starring Robert De Niro, Jack Huston and John Malkovich, and Andrew Baird’s One Way which recently started principal photography with Colson ‘Machine Gun Kelly’ Baker, Travis Fimmel, and Kevin Bacon starring.