Award-Winning Crew Wraps 6-Day Shoot of “A WOLF IN THE SUBURBS”, A Film On The Growing Battle Over Lawns
MISSISSAUGA, ON — On August 7th, the cameras stopped rolling at 1720 Lincolnshire Boulevard, marking the wrap of a 6-day shoot for a major new documentary directed by celebrated Québec filmmaker Amélie Hardy and produced by Rosalie Chicoine-Perreault of Montréal’s acclaimed METAFILMS, with the support of SODEC and the Québec Arts Council.
The film captures the story of an urban re-wilding project—a determined five-year effort to transform Wolf Ruck’s traditional suburban lawn into a pollinator- and wildlife-friendly ecosystem. The cinematography, meticulously helmed by Myriam Payette, brings a poetic, immersive lens to this unique vision of environmental stewardship in the metropolis of Mississauga.
The naturalization process has unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing litigation in Ontario courts triggered by annual anonymous neighbour complaints. Three weeks before the start of filming, the City By-law Enforcement Officer issued another Notice of Contravention and threatened to mow and weed-whack Ruck’s property under Mississauga’s Tall Grass and Nuisance Weeds By-law 125-2017, even while the Judgement and Order of the Superior Court’s Judicial Review Hearing of July 2nd is pending. Ruck cautioned the City by letter, denying permission to enter his property with Notices of Trespass and Mischief attached, given that the site is under contract for the film production. “A WOLF IN THE SUBURBS” involves a top-flight crew of young Canadian film talent with a personal commitment to the cause—making the property’s preservation critical not only for environmental reasons but also for Canada’s cultural record.
“This isn’t just a garden—it’s a living film set, a creative collaboration, and a tangible example of how we can re-imagine our cities in the face of biodiversity loss and climate change,” said Ruck. “The story we’re telling here will resonate far beyond Mississauga.”
METAFILMS, known for their internationally recognized documentaries and feature films, has brought the same cinematic rigor to this project that earned them accolades worldwide. Hardy, an award-winning director with a distinct vision, and Payette, whose cinematography has graced screens at top-tier festivals, joined forces to capture the rich textures of Ruck’s re-wilded landscape.
The documentary is expected to enter post-production immediately, with festival premieres anticipated in 2026.
Amélie Hardy – Director
Myriam Payette – Director of Photography
Boom Dolly – Closing scene
Production Stills by Geoff Scott Taylor
Excellent interview on CBC-Radio. I will have a look at the documentary.
Been doing this for years initially in urban Hamilton ,and then and now in the suburbs of Hamilton , can’t wait to be able to view the film !
Look forward to viewing this film. Thanks for standing up for naturalized yards.
I am so glad that W. Ruck is taking on the City to protect biodiversity. I met Mr. Ruck while tending someone else’s native garden and he explained the problems he’s having with the Mississauga by-law people. I drove by his home to check it out as I love to see other gardens that have been rewilded. Standing on the road, the thing that struck me was the joyous cacophony of sound–crickets, cicadas, etc. coming from the Ruck home while the adjoining properties were deadly silent. No wonder eco-systems are collapsing. What are the birds and others on the food chain supposed to eat?
Good Day
Thank you for your dedication and love for Nature. We leave our Acre to Mother Nature’s infinite wisdom. We live on the Bruce Trail, and our neighbors have never complained. A Queen Bee has chosen the far corner location of our deck to have her hive, and I was thrilled.
Your Sincerely
Diane Lucas
good to see Metafilms recognizes the value of your efforts to help save our planet
I wonder when the city will realize just how embarassing this is for them.