Anchorage, Alaska – Sleeping Lady Films, a Native American production company based out of Anchorage, Alaska is proud to announce that they have secured the rights to the novel “TWO OLD WOMEN,” by renowned Gwich’in Athabascan author Velma Wallis.
“We are so pleased to be able to bring this amazing story to the big screen,” announced Sleeping Lady Films President Irene Bedard, better known for her work in front of the camera in such films as “Into the West,” “Tree of Life,” “Smoke Signals,” and being the speaking voice of the title role in “Disney’s Pocahontas.” “I have loved this book for over 20 years and it has all the elements we look for in a story; strong Native American characters, positive role models, overcoming adversity, self-reliance and adventure. The book is a classic that we will be filming in both English and Gwich’in.”
“We are delighted to work with Sleeping Lady Films because its principals understand the intrinsic value of Alaska Native traditions, and the exciting skill with which Velma Wallis has preserved them,” added Lael Morgan, founder and acquisitions editor for Anchorage based Epicenter Press, publishers of the book.
“TWO OLD WOMEN; an Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage, and Survival” is based on an Athabascan legend from the upper Yukon River Valley in Alaska. The story is a shocking, suspenseful and ultimately inspirational tale of two old women abandoned by the Tribe during a brutal winter famine. Published in 1993, the book has sold over two million copies worldwide, received numerous awards and is taught in schools in Alaska, Montana and the Northwest Territories.
Principal photography for the film is expected to start in late spring/early summer 2016.
About Sleeping Lady Films/Waking Giants Productions
Founded in 2012 by Alaska Native actress Irene Bedard and Canadian businessman Thomas Denomme, Sleeping Lady Films (film division) Waking Giants Productions (television and multimedia division) is a Native American production company dedicated to bringing positive, inspirational stories from Native North America to the world.
Epicenter Press was represented in the film option negotiations by Mary Alice Kier and Anna Cottle of Cine/Lit Representation.