In a quiet Canadian town of Saint John, New Brunswick, nestled amidst the serene beauty of summers, an unsettling secret lurked. The town’s unsuspecting residents, including a young Jason Bourque, were oblivious to the presence of a hidden menace in their midst – a serial killer named Noel Winters. This chilling revelation would go on to shape the trajectory of Jason’s life in ways he could never have imagined.
The Birth of a Screenplay
As a teenager in rural Canada, Jason Bourque was introduced to the nightmarish reality of Noel Winters, a charismatic yet temperamental figure who concealed his sinister inclinations. The shocking discovery of Winters’ double murder sent shivers down the town’s spine. Jason was captivated by this true-life horror story, and it fueled his creative aspirations. Nearly eighteen years ago, he penned his first screenplay, “Black Fly,” haunted by the enigma of Noel. During a special Q&A after a recent screening of his independent dark thriller, Jason shared, “Noel was very likable, but when he was drinking, he was prone to acts of violence. The double murder was beyond our comprehension.”
The Shadows of Winters
In the early 1980s, Noel Winters committed a series of gruesome murders in New Brunswick, leaving four victims dismembered and some concealed in garbage bags, which later surfaced at a local dump. Unlike the sensationalism often seen in American media, Canadian media refrained from glamorizing serial killers. Consequently, scant information about Winters’ crimes can be found online even today. Jason emphasized, “He was never in the press, yet he did horrendous things. His name still echoes in the culture of our small town, where they humorously quip, ‘The summers are great, but the Winters will kill you,’ a nod to his last name.”
A Controversial Demise
Winters’ dark journey took an unexpected turn when the bodies of a Montreal couple were unearthed in a shallow grave near his residence. The discovery sent shockwaves through the town, and at the age of 34, Winters reportedly took his own life while incarcerated at the Dorchester Penitentiary. However, even in death, his story remained shrouded in controversy. Jason Bourque revealed, “There’s speculation that a biker gang may have played a role in his demise.” This revelation added a layer of intrigue to an already perplexing tale. It was later unveiled that Winters had led a double life as a hitman for a notorious biker gang. These intricacies, laden with darkness and mystery, served as rich source material for “Black Fly,” allowing Jason to craft a narrative that deeply explored the unsettling terror that had gripped his hometown.
Breathing Life into Characters
“Black Fly” weaves its tale through two haunted brothers, Jake and Noel Henson, whose troubled past resurfaces, triggering a chain of violent events. Despite the constraints of a tight budget, the film came to life in just 14 days, featuring an unheralded yet dedicated cast. Notably, Matthew MacCaull, who portrays Noel, had previously played a cyborg alongside George Clooney in “Tomorrowland.” Christie Burke, who portrayed Paula, Noel’s girlfriend, eagerly embraced the role, delving into its dark and violent episodes. Dakota Daulby, stepping into the lead role of Jake, was a last-minute addition, described by Jason as possessing a “hungry, broken angel” quality.
Crafting the Thriller
Jason’s direction guided “Black Fly” to remarkable execution, despite the constraints of a limited budget and a tight time frame. In a departure from the initial script’s vision of an epic showdown with action and explosions, Jason’s artistic discernment prevailed. He recognized that the heart of the story lay not in gratuitous gore but in the aftermath, in the profound impact on the characters’ lives. As he succinctly expressed, “It’s what you don’t see that makes this thriller a nail-biting nightmare.”
The cinematography skillfully brought the dark and somber ambiance of the rural town to life, drawing inspiration from real-life sources. Scenes were meticulously crafted on Denman Island, an enclave with an Anarchist-like atmosphere, providing a unique backdrop for the narrative. Notably, the production team collaborated with a woman who possessed a collection of rusted-out buses, adding an eerie authenticity to the scenes leading up to the grim discovery of bodies concealed in garbage bags.
This carefully crafted approach to storytelling and visuals elevated “Black Fly” beyond the constraints of its production limitations, immersing audiences in a world where the unseen horrors left a lasting impact, resonating long after the credits rolled.
Unmasking the Boogeyman
- “Black Fly” continues to captivate audiences with its compelling narrative and haunting portrayal of Noel Winters;
- A lingering question persists: Can this film, born from Jason Bourque’s fascination with Winters, provide closure and release him from the specter of this chilling figure?;
- The answer remains uncertain, as the film leaves viewers pondering the lingering impact of Winters’ presence;
- Jason himself acknowledges the complexity of this journey, describing it as “an interesting process” that keeps him engaged with the enigmatic character;
- Noel Winters, the ‘boogeyman’ of Saint John, New Brunswick, endures in local memory, a testament to the indelible mark left by his dark legacy.
Conclusion
“Black Fly” stands as a testament to the power of storytelling, born from the chilling reality of a small Canadian town. Jason Bourque’s journey, from a teenager haunted by the enigmatic Noel Winters to the creator of this gripping independent thriller, reflects the enduring impact of dark secrets on the human psyche.
The film not only delves into the horrors of Winters’ crimes but also paints a vivid portrait of a town forever marked by his presence. Through compelling characters and masterful direction, “Black Fly” captures the essence of the aftermath, reminding us that true horror lies in the unseen and its profound effects on those involved.
As the film continues to resonate with audiences, it prompts us to ponder whether it will ever release Jason from the shadow of the boogeyman that once lurked in his hometown. Regardless of the answer, “Black Fly” serves as a chilling reminder that some stories are born from real-life nightmares, and their impact can last a lifetime.