Two Lovers and a Bear an intense, unconventional Arctic love story

Two Lovers anda Bearis a dark,thrilling and unconventionallove story set in Canada's North, showcasing an otherworldly landscape that takesa starring role.

"I wanted to capture the Arctic and also to capture thepeople, how they live inIqaluit," Montreal director KimNguyen told CBC News.

At the heart of the film are two lost souls played by Emmy-winning actressTatiana Maslany and actor Dane DeHaan. They portraysoutherners workingin Nunavutwho've found each other while living in a remote community.

• MOVIE REVIEW | Two Lovers and a Bear

The torturedlovers embark on a journey to try to builda future together,while on the run from their past.

It was so exciting. I don't think I'dforeseenwhat it would be like.- Tatiana Maslany

"We landed and it was ice...just snow. It was so exciting. I don't think I'dforeseenwhat it would be like," Maslany said of the six-week shoot in Iqaluit.

The duospenda lot of time onscreensnowmobiling across the stark northern landscape scenes captured underdailychallenges that included limited sunlight and risk of frostbite. Still,Orphan Blackstar Maslany said experiencing theconditions enhanced the filmmaking process.

"It all kind of contributes to the feeling and to the atmosphere," she said.

DeHaan, known forHBO's In Treatment and films likeThe Place Beyond the Pines, Kill Your Darlings andThe Amazing Spider-Man 2,spent a weekinIqaluiton his own before filming started and called the experience eye-opening.

"The people were so helpful and embraced me and showed me what it was like."

Tatiana Maslany and Dane DeHaan star in Two Lovers and a Bear

8 years ago

Duration 1:47

Maslany and DeHaan on supporting each other through intense performances in Two Lovers and a Bear, a contemporary drama set in Nunavut.

Two Lovers touches on magical realism there'sthat bear from the title, voiced byCanadian acting icon Gordon Pinsent.But the two young stars are film's main focus andshareintense,intimate scenes throughout.

"She is so talented.She was so open and easy to trust," DeHaansaid of his Canadian co-star.

"I wouldn't have done it without an acting partner that was committed and open to the experience. And Tatiana was that."

For Maslany, the feelingwasmutual.

"I know there were times when I would be in a scene and I was lost...and I could feel him know that, and help me."

Two Lovers and a Bear opens in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa onFridayand in select theatres across Canada later this fall.