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LISBON -- A movie that was filmed in the Mahoning Valley, including in and around the Lisbon area, will finally be released after being picked up for distribution following its recent premier at the Sundance Film Festival.
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired the international rights to "Them That Follow," while Orchard Film Group picked up the North American distribution rights.
"Them That Follow" is about a a modern-day Pentecostal church set in Appalachia, where members handle poisonous snakes to prove themselves before God. The story is about the pastor's daughter, whose relationship with her non-believer boyfriend puts her in conflict with her father and the church community.
The film, which premiered Sunday at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, stars Walter Goggins as the father and and Alice Englert as his daughter. Olivia Colman, who was just nominated for a best-actress Oscar for her role in "The Favourite," also stars.
Some of the movie was reportedly filmed in and around Lisbon in the fall of 2017. A story at the time said movie officials were shown around the area by members of Advance Tactical Group Worldwide, the security/training business begun by three Navy SEAL brothers from Lisbon, and was reportedly used to provide security during filming.
The reviews from Sundance were mixed, with some reviewers describing it as "an overwrought Appalachian soap opera" and a "slow-burn Appalachian gothic tale that descends into body horror territory."
Thewrap.com said despite the film's occasional predictability, it has a "superb cast" and "the filmmakers let the story slither at its own rhythm, so that the magnitude of the psychological control can be fully exposed."
Variety.com said the film's "truest test of faith" is that the writer and director "don't force the audience to demonize their devotees. The movie respects their beliefs -- or at least the sincerity of their beliefs … (T)he duo trusts in the goodness of people, even though they put themselves through insane tests. There's rattlers in them hills. But there's love too."
Another film "Roadkill McGillicutty," was supposed to be filmed in Lisbon this October and November, but that never happened, according to Christine Lucarell, who is with the production company, Dallas Pike LLC. "I'm not 100 percent sure (what occurred) other than we had to go on a bit of hiatus," she said.
Lucarell said they are expected to learn this month when production will resume
"Dallas Pike" is the name of the fictional West Virginia town in the movie, which is described as a dark comedy that explores "the absurdity of a tiny town with even smaller minded ideals … "
Like "Them That Follow," officials with "Roadkill McGillicutty" said they were looking for filming locations in Columbiana County because it resembles Appalachia but is close to Mahoning County, where primary filming is to occur. There were uncomfirmed reports the movie was to star Richard Dreyfuss and David Arquette.
Some of the filming was supposed to occur at Lewton's Garage and the Steel Trolley Diner, which is closed.