MAXWELL MCGUIRE
BIOGRAPHY

Maxwell McGuire was born in Ottawa, Canada, on May 16th, 1981. The doctor attending his delivery dubbed him "Miracle Max" - on account of his miraculous survival of a life-threatening condition at the tender age of five hours old. Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a genetic terminal disease, Max quickly realized that he had far less time to realize his filmmaking dreams than the average teenager with a camera. A positive outlook demanded no less.

So he went to work.

At the age of eighteen, Maxwell shot, produced, and directed his first feature film, Newton's Law. The film was shot on a recently purchased 16mm camera, which Max consequently sold. Using the funds, coupled with an arts grant from the Canada Council, Max was able to complete post-production. The first screening was held at an independent film festival in San Francisco and was subsequently licensed by a Canadian distributor. The film introduced Max to the industry and his story received both local and national attention. The National Post described the production as being "... smarter than any $45,000 first film has a right to be". The article continued, "Max had never held a camera before but it turns out he has a knack for light and colour..." (National Post 2002).

Following this, Max devoted his time to working on various productions, including directing a short film. He guest lectured at local colleges, while also attending courses in production and acting. Max then set out to write what would become his second feature film, Crossing The Wake, a tale of seven close friends bound for college who come together for one fateful farewell weekend. Written and directed as an unofficial homage to "The Big Chill", the film was greeted with positive reviews at its Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Los Angeles premieres. "If the screenings result in Crossing the Wake coming to an independent theatre near you, see this film" (The Fulcrum 2005). Crossing The Wake was subsequently licensed for distribution by one of Canada's most reputable international distributors, Sullivan Entertainment (Anne of Green Gables), and is currently seeking North American distribution.

Salt, Max's most recent undertaking, tells the story of Will Valley, an embittered, obsessively morbid young man stricken with a terminal illness. Together with the beautiful Hannah, the soul mate he never knew he had, Will embarks on an epic road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway, headed for the desert heart of Mexico, in search of a mystical cure for his disease. It' s an inspiring tale of hope, dreams and the healing power of love.

The film draws strongly on Max's life-long battle with Cystic Fibrosis. Max has aligned himself with the Cystic Fibrosis foundation of Canada and together they plan to promote the film through their regional and international chapters.