On hiatus since COVID hit in March 2020, the Chinook Film Group is hoping to once again fire up their regular viewings of alternate films at the Cochrane Movie House.

As a test run, they are encouraging people to come out and enjoy the award-winning Canadian drama Peace by Chocolate this Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. You can get your tickets at the Cochrane Movie House box office. 

Murray Mitchell, one of the organizers, says they're tapping into the theatre's special Telefilm presentation of Canadian-made films to see if people are keen on Chinook's return. 

"Because of the expenses of doing a movie, we've been a little shy about getting a decent crowd out. We need about 80 to make the night sustainable."

Most films presented in the past have exceeded that number, and sell-outs were common.

If there's a strong response, the wheels will be put into motion to resume monthly showings in January.

Chinook was created in 2005 by film lovers to present alternate films otherwise unavailable in Cochrane. Traditionally, they've been shown monthly from September to May on Wednesday evenings.

The showing of Peace by Chocolate is a sweet deal. For just $8, you get to view a great film plus have a chance to walk away with a door prize.

"We're working with Nectare and Root, which is a local florist shop who distributes the Peace by Chocolate brand, and she's donated a basket. We'll also have some other goodies to give away."

Peace by Chocolate tells the true story of a Syrian family who immigrates to Antigonish, NS to flee from war-torn Lebanon.  After the bombing of his father's chocolate factory, a charming young Syrian refugee struggles to settle into his new Canadian small-town life, caught between following his dream to become a doctor and preserving his family's chocolate-making legacy.