In preparation for the 50th annual Toronto International Film Festival, musician Adam Baldwin from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, expresses his astonishment. A film adaptation of one of his songs from the 2022 album “Concertos & Serenades” is set to debut at the prestigious event on September 5. The movie, titled “Little Lorraine” and directed by fellow Nova Scotian Andy Hines, is inspired by Baldwin’s song “Lighthouse in Little Lorraine,” which weaves a complex narrative of drug smuggling, lobster fishing, and a community facing challenges. Notable actors like Stephen Amell, Stephen McHattie, Sean Astin, and Colombian pop star J Balvin feature in the film.
Hines was captivated by the song upon first hearing it and envisioned transforming it into a movie, starting initially with a music video. The storyline of “Lighthouse in Little Lorraine” draws from various accounts Baldwin heard over the years about Cape Breton, with a focus on a particularly intriguing tale shared by a pallbearer at a friend’s funeral. The protagonist in the story, facing job loss, turns to unconventional means of earning money after learning about a shipment of illicit substances from his uncle.
Baldwin, in crafting the song, opted for “cocaine” over “hashish” to maintain rhyme with Little Lorraine, a town adjacent to Louisbourg where the narrative unfolds. Hines, recognized for his music video work, including collaborations with renowned artists like Coldplay and Alicia Keys, views “Little Lorraine” as his directorial debut in feature films. The movie showcases J Balvin as a secretive Interpol agent striving to unravel an international drug-smuggling operation.
Both Baldwin and Hines share a desire to shed light on the Maritimes through their creative endeavors. Filmed entirely in Cape Breton, “Little Lorraine” embodies a sense of pride for Baldwin, who eagerly anticipates showcasing their region to a wider audience. Hines intends to create more cinematic pieces set in the Maritimes, aiming to evoke a feeling of curiosity about his homeland and encourage viewers to explore Nova Scotia for themselves.