Burn Your Maps is a 2016 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Jordan Roberts, based on the short story of the same name by Robyn Joy Leff. The film stars Vera Farmiga, Jacob Tremblay, Suraj Sharma, Ramón Rodríguez, Virginia Madsen, and Marton Csokas.

Burn Your Maps
Promotional poster
Directed byJordan Roberts
Written byJordan Roberts
Based onBurn Your Maps
by Robyn Joy Leff
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyJohn Bailey
Edited bySusan Shipton
Music byJonathan Goldsmith
Production
companies
  • Cinelou Films
  • Patrick Aiello Productions
  • Defender Films
  • Wheel Entertainment Films
Distributed byVertical Entertainment
Release dates
  • September 9, 2016 (2016-09-09) (TIFF)
  • June 21, 2019 (2019-06-21) (United States)
Running time
102 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million

The film had its world premiere at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2016, and was released on June 21, 2019, by Vertical Entertainment.

Plot

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After the death of his infant sister, 8-year-old American boy Wes tells his grieving parents that he is a Mongolian goat-herder who was born in the wrong place. Joined by an ambitious young filmmaker named Ismail, Wes leads his family to Mongolia on a soul-searching journey.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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On June 18, 2015, it was reported that Julie Kirkham was to produce a feature film titled Burn Your Maps, written and directed by Jordan Roberts. The film was green-lit by producer Mark Canton a few days prior to Kirkham's death.[1] Burn Your Maps is a feature film adaptation of author Robyn Joy Leff's short story of the same name. Canton and Courtney Solomon serve as producers under their Cinelou Films banner, with Patrick Aiello producing through his Patrick Aiello Productions.[2] Jonathan Goldsmith composed the film's musical score.[3]

Casting

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The casting of Vera Farmiga, Virginia Madsen, Suraj Sharma, and Jacob Tremblay was reported on July 23, 2015.[2] Marton Csokas' casting was confirmed near the end of production, on August 28, 2015.[4]

Filming

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Principal photography began in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on July 27, 2015,[5] and was completed on September 2, 2015.[6][7] Filming took place in nearby Kananaskis Country, at the Stoney Indian Reserves, which doubled for Mongolia.[8][9] Scenes were also filmed at the Eighth Avenue Place tower, which doubled for an American office space and for a Tokyo International Airport terminal. Over one hundred Calgary residents of Mongolian heritage were hired to act in minor roles.[4]

Release

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Burn Your Maps first screened at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2016, and had its red carpet premiere at the festival on September 15.[10] It was initially scheduled for limited release on February 24, 2017, before expanding at a later date.[11] The release date was subsequently pushed back to March 17, 2017, with a wide release following on March 24, 2017.[12] However, it was ultimately pulled from the schedule.[13]

Vertical Entertainment distributed the film in the United States. The film was distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures as part of a six-film deal with Cinelou.[14] It was released on June 21, 2019.[15]

Critical reception

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Burn Your Maps holds a 67% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 15 reviews, with a weighted average of 7.04/10.[16] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 50 out of 100, based on 8 critics, indicating "mixed or average".[17]

Accolades

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Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref(s)
Calgary International Film Festival Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature Burn Your Maps Won [18]
Leiden International Film Festival American Indie Competition 1st Place [19]
Gold Coast International Film Festival Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature Won [20]

References

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  1. ^ Hobb, David (June 18, 2015). "Julie Kirkham Dies: Producer, Teacher, Studio Exec & Writers' Muse". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  2. ^ a b McNary, Dave (July 23, 2015). "Vera Farmiga, Virginia Madsen Starring in Comedy-Drama 'Burn Your Maps'". Variety. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  3. ^ "Jonathan Goldsmith to Score Jordan Roberts' 'Burn Your Maps'". Film Music Reporter. February 3, 2016.
  4. ^ a b Volmers, Eric (August 28, 2015). "Alberta-shot indie film Burn Your Maps explores humanity and healing". Calgary Herald. Archived from the original on 2015-08-29. Retrieved 2015-08-30.
  5. ^ "Burn Your Maps – Production Listing". Backstage. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  6. ^ "Alberta District Council – Production List" (PDF). Directors Guild of Canada. July 24, 2015.
  7. ^ "Film studio looking for Mongolians in Calgary for movie". 660News.com. July 2, 2015.
  8. ^ Volmers, Eric (July 2, 2015). "Alberta-shot feature film, Burn Your Maps, looking for local Mongolians for speaking roles". Montreal Gazette.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Volmers, Eric (December 2, 2016). "Calgary-shot Burn Your Maps to hit theatres in early 2017". Calgary Herald.
  10. ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 16, 2016). "Toronto: Christian Bale-Starrer 'The Promise,' Richard Gere-Starrer 'Norman' Get Gala Screenings". The Hollywood Reporter.
  11. ^ McNary, Dave (December 1, 2016). "Cinelou Sets Jacob Tremblay's 'Burn Your Maps' for February Release (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
  12. ^ "Burn Your Maps". Cinelou Films. Archived from the original on December 27, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  13. ^ "Burn Your Maps". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  14. ^ Lincoln, Ross A. (December 16, 2015). "First Look At Quirky Comedy 'Burn Your Maps' Starring Jacob Tremblay". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  15. ^ Boone, John (May 16, 2019). "Jacob Tremblay Dreams of Being a Mongolian Goat Herder in 'Burn Your Maps' Trailer (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
  16. ^ "Burn Your Maps (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  17. ^ "Burn Your Maps". Metacritic. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  18. ^ Volmers, Eric (October 5, 2016). "CIFF smashes attendance records; The American Epic Sessions, Burn Your Maps pick up hardware". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  19. ^ "Burn Your Maps wint Leiden International Film Festival 2016". Medium.com (in Dutch). November 6, 2016.
  20. ^ Nikic, Joe (November 17, 2016). "Gold Coast Film Festival wraps up 6th annual affair of screenings, events". The Island Now. Archived from the original on November 18, 2016. Retrieved November 18, 2016.
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