Empty Farmhouse Near Balzac Lures Jennifer Lawrence to Alberta

The search for the perfect filming location for *Die My Love*, a psychological comedy-thriller starring Jennifer Lawrence, led producers to an unexpected site: an empty farmhouse on the outskirts of Balzac, Alberta. After exploring various options across the United States and Canada, the film’s director, Lynne Ramsay, found her vision realized in this farmhouse, which played a crucial role in the film’s aesthetic and narrative.

The journey began when producers enlisted veteran location manager Edsel Hilchie, who has a rich history in the Alberta film industry, with credits including *Brokeback Mountain* and *The Revenant*. Initially, the team scouted numerous locations without success until they shifted their focus to Alberta. Hilchie and his crew documented several sites, but none resonated with Ramsay until they discovered the farmhouse.

“When we sent the farmhouse that was eventually chosen, it was the first one where the designer said, ‘Yes,’” Hilchie explained. “He was convinced that was where we were going to film just from her response and feedback from the photos. That was what sold Alberta.” Ramsay’s visit to the site confirmed its potential, leading her to dismiss other options almost immediately.

The farmhouse, once part of a functioning farm, had been maintained by its owners and offered a distinctive character that aligned with Ramsay’s vision. The production team renovated the property and deliberately left the grass uncut to enhance its unkempt appearance. “It had just lots of elements that were there and were not being used,” Hilchie noted. “It literally became like a playground. It became a backlot for a lot of elements in the show that she was looking for.”

In *Die My Love*, Lawrence plays Grace, a woman who relocates to a dilapidated house in Montana inherited by her husband, Jackson, portrayed by Robert Pattinson. As she grapples with the challenges of motherhood and Jackson’s frequent absences, Grace’s mental state deteriorates. The film also features acclaimed actors Sissy Spacek and Nick Nolte. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, earning a standing ovation and positive reviews for Lawrence’s performance and Ramsay’s visual storytelling.

Filming took place entirely in Alberta from August to October 2024, with locations all within an hour’s drive of Calgary. Hilchie noted that approximately 45 to 50 sets were established across 15 different sites, including the Calgary Shrine Event Centre and Vecova Centre. The character Pam’s house, played by Spacek, is located in Didsbury, while additional scenes were filmed in picturesque forests near CL Ranch and at Sikome Lake in Fish Creek Provincial Park.

“I was able to film there after Labour Day because Sikome Lake closes down after Labour Day,” Hilchie shared. He negotiated with park officials to keep the lake open, allowing the crew to film in relative solitude. “We had a very narrow window when we could go in, but we had the lake to ourselves.”

The diversity of Alberta’s landscapes provided the production team with the necessary settings without extensive travel. Hilchie explained that the initial attraction was the farmhouse, but once they arrived, they were able to find additional locations that fit the film’s requirements seamlessly. “They came here because of the farmhouse, and then once they got here, it was like, ‘OK, how are we going to find the other things?’”

Another significant location was a forest on the CL Ranch, where sunlight filtered through moss-covered trees, matching the script’s needs perfectly. “I took them into the forest and they were like, ‘This is great,’” Hilchie said. “It was like you wrote it for the script.”

The film’s rural road scenes were also shot nearby, capitalizing on the scenic dirt roads between Calgary and Airdrie. “The area between Calgary and Airdrie, if you get off on some of the side roads, what you get is these long expanses of dirt roads that go off into the horizon,” Hilchie explained. “It’s not flat; it’s rolling. When I took them out and they looked at that, that’s exactly what Lynn had in mind.”

Despite the presence of major Hollywood stars, the filming process in rural Alberta was largely uneventful. Hilchie noted that local residents are accustomed to film crews, having worked on several projects in the area. “The people of Didsbury are terrific to work with, and people in Calgary are really great to work with as well,” he said. “There has been enough filming that the public looks at it, and after about ten minutes, they say, ‘OK, that’s fine. Now I’m going to go about my business.’”

*Die My Love* will begin streaming on MUBI starting December 23, 2024, following a brief theatrical run. With its unique blend of psychological depth and stunning visuals, the film stands as a testament to the vibrant film industry in Alberta and the creativity that can emerge from unexpected places.