July 28, 2012 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Award-winning filmmaker and area resident, Mark A. France, will be bringing a touch of Hollywood to Lakeland High School in White Lake, MI, when he steps behind the camera to direct his psychological horror film, “Love In Dead Places”. Backed by an eclectic crew of local filmmakers, France hopes to create a unique presentation which he hopes to showcase in various film festivals across the United States and beyond.
“It’s a love and passion of mine”, France says about working in the Michigan film industry. “If anything, this is just another opportunity to work with great Michigan artists who strive to be the best they can be.”
Choosing Lakeland for the opening scene of his film was rather easy for France, who graduated from the school in 1991. It only took a couple phone calls to secure the location, which thrilled the independent film director.
“I wanted to shoot my first film at Lakeland back in 2004, but they were doing a number of renovations at the time, so I wasn’t able to shoot there”, France says. “But when I wrote the opening scene for this film, I had Lakeland in mind from day one. I contacted Kim Root, Huron Valley Schools’ director of community relations, and was ecstatic when she said that they’d like to help me out.”
Having worked on over forty-five feature length and short films, France is excited to bring his new script to life.
“I like to take the human factor and show it’s dark side. With “Love In Dead Places” I get a chance to add a “Twilight Zone” twist to an otherwise realistic story”
“Love In Dead Places”, though classified as a psychological horror film, touches upon the harsh reality of bullying and the breakdown of an everyday family. Starring Milford High School student, Jamie Groves, the film is based around seventeen-year-old Nycholas Stillson who discovers the dead body of a girl in a secluded barn. After his initial fear, Nycholas finds comfort in disclosing his inner demons to someone who will listen, without judging him.
“Jamie. and the rest of the cast, are exceptional actors”, France says. “I’m glad to have them aboard and I know this is a project they’ll be able to look back on and be very proud”.
