By Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
When Leeann Sousa told her husband Stephen he needed a hobby, she had no idea it would include making a feature film.
Her wifely advice came after the couple moved to Wallaceburg from Brampton in 2023. Now, two short films later, the pair are in the throes of creating a crime action drama with many familiar sites serving as movie sets.
The fact that its mostly local folks acting in the film is a bonus.
“I’m always looking for good talent,” the indie filmmaker said in a recent interview with The Voice. “I’m always looking for people who want to participate and be involved in the filming process.”
‘Finding Cronus,’ the full feature film the Sousas are working on, tells the story of Artemis – a rich but evil antiquities collector. Stephen wrote the script telling the story of the villain’s search for a mystical artifact called the Book of Epignosis – a tome he hopes holds the secret keys to power. The ruthless Artemis does whatever he has to, Stephen said, to try and find the book.
However, there’s also a secret agent named John who has been after Artemis for a long time and he makes it his mission to try to get the notorious criminal behind bars. But close to the end of Indiana Jones styled movie, agent John finds out he has more in common with Artemis than he thought.
“I can’t say anymore without giving away the end of the movie,” Stephen joked.
It’s Sousa’s first full-length feature film. With Leeann’s help, he’s already created two short films – Never Ending Rain and Limbo’s Glance. Both are currently in regional film festivals. Limbo’s Glance was filmed entirely in the Wallaceburg’s County Fair Mall and stars local chiropractor Curtis Scott.
Prior moving to Chatham-Kent, the couple operated a toy store in Mississauga, among other ventures. Both have worked as photographers in the past, and earlier in life, Stephan dabbled in videography with his father Silverio, filming weddings and other events.
So, in response to his wife’s suggestion, he decided to return his former pastime.
“It’s turned out to be a really fun thing to dabble in,” Stephen said, noting he’s networked with indie filmmaker Robert Bellamy who is currently working on a Bell Media production to be aired on Crave.
“I got involved because it was a passion,” he said. “I wanted to complete something.”
However, Stephen stresses he’s leaving the Finding Cronus story “open at the end” in case anyone wants to pick it up and develop a television series or sequel.
Movie making has its challenges, the pair said. Finding characters is an ongoing task, Stephen said, explaining he hands out his business card when he sees someone he thinks is suitable for a role, in addition to running ads.
In developing Finding Cronus, the pair has filmed in a variety of local sites, including Wallaceburg’s Canadian Belgian Dutch Club and Loads of Love in Chatham. In August, they’ll be filming at Glasstown Brewing Company in Wallaceburg.
Stephen said the toughest part of the process is scheduling everyone to get together for a shoot.
“Everyone is on a volunteer basis and in saying that, I want to accommodate their schedules,” Stephen said. ‘I don’t want to take away from their work. They’re helping me out and I do my best to help them out.”
The couple said they love their new home in Wallaceburg, adding living in a small community makes it easier to network and co-ordinate with others in the filming process.
Stephen said he plans to put Finding Cronus on Tubi – a free streaming channel for all to watch – and he’s also hoping to arrange a screening at Chatham’s Capitol Theatre.
“I want to put it out there so people can see what I can do,” he added.
And while filmmaking began as Stephen’s so-called hobby, Leeann said it’s turned into a “joint hobby” and partnership, as she serves as the director.
If you are interested in helping out or finding out more, direct message SEFilm (Sousa Entertainment Film) on Facebook.
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