Discover the story, vision, and creative journey behind Injurious.

LOGLINE

Rashid receives a school assignment to document his surrounding with a video camera. But his life is not at all normal. Friends, money, drugs and violence are what makes his life injurious to his health. But can he finish the school project on time and actually live to show it?

SYNOPSIS

In a gritty urban landscape, Rashid receives a seemingly innocent school assignment: to document his everyday life on video. What begins as a simple project quickly spirals out of control as he unwittingly finds himself immersed in a world rife with drugs, violence, and dangerous associations.

Rashid, the ambitious yet clumsy protagonist, aims to showcase the vibrancy of youth, but his journey takes a dark turn as he captures the harsh realities of his environment. His friends, Jay and Michael, each bring their own struggles and aspirations to the mix. Jay, a devoted and caring individual, finds himself caught between his dreams and the overwhelming pressure from his surroundings. Meanwhile, Michael, the self-proclaimed badass, emerges from prison with a fiery determination to prove himself, pulling Rashid deeper into the treacherous underbelly of their community.

As they navigate this perilous terrain, the trio grapples with moral dilemmas and the allure of power. Rashid’s camera serves as both a witness and a conduit, documenting their choices and the consequences that follow. They encounter a myriad of characters along the way: Kat, Michael’s loving girlfriend who longs for a different life; Hailey, the street-smart hustler who knows how to survive; Big T, the formidable drug dealer who holds sway over their fates; and Detective Guy Lavigne, who represents a flicker of hope amid the chaos.

Together, Rashid, Jay, and Michael confront their fears and ambitions, facing the repercussions of their decisions. As they delve deeper into the darker aspects of their world, the lines between right and wrong blur, and their lives hang in the balance. Each step they take draws them closer to the wrong people to get involved with, leading to unexpected and dangerous encounters.

Injurious explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the consequences of choices made in the heat of the moment. With each recording, the tension builds, propelling the audience into a gripping narrative that challenges the characters’ resilience and morality. As the story unfolds, viewers are left to question how far they will go to chase their dreams—and at what cost.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

I was brought on board at 20% into the production phase of Injurious. Previously, I had worked with the producer, Angel Azmeer, on a student film, and I believe he appreciated my directing skills. When he approached me about Injurious and offered me the directing chair, I knew there was no doubt in my mind. I was eager to direct a feature film, and doing it for free was no issue for me.

Injurious is my first independent feature film, produced on a very low budget. We shot primarily on weekends over two years, financing our own coffee runs for the actors and carpooling to filming locations. The concept was to maintain a low budget while shooting a feature with no outside financing. The handy-cam documentary style made this possible, with the lead cast often doubling as camera operators. On occasion, I borrowed cinema equipment from the rental house where I worked at the time.

I recognized the need to hire a Director of Photography but ultimately took on the role of Cinematographer myself. For lighting, we relied on house lights and occasionally placed work lights in corners where they wouldn’t be visible on camera. The focus was primarily on the script and acting. The producer had already completed most of the major casting, involving friends in the roles, which made for a fun and challenging experience directing inexperienced actors and collaborating with them on the script.

I believe Injurious significantly improved my directing skills, particularly in executing long, continuous shots. The best part of this project was how it brought us all closer together; I ended up filming my friends, laughing over mistakes, and constantly reflecting on the final product. Since the filming took place in Montreal, I decided to integrate the French language as part of the story.

The final scene presented some challenges, but to avoid a cheap appearance, we rented a school for the weekend, where our main cast had to run for their lives.

I must also mention that working on Injurious was not injurious to my health!