Two films with local connections are being released this week, and one, "The Farmer and the Belle: Saving Santaland," is being screened at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, at the Walker County Civic Center, 10052 US 27, in Rock Spring, Georgia.
The movie was shot in the North Georgia area, in particular in and around McLemore Cove in Chattanooga Valley, in the spring of 2019. It was written and produced by husband and wife Jenn Gotzon and Jim E. Chandler. The Hallmark-style movie is set at Christmas and is the story of a supermodel who returns to the small town where she grew up and discovers what inner beauty is really based on.
It's based around a family heirloom charm bracelet that the lead character loses as a 10-year-old in a pigsty while visiting Santaland. She returns to find the bracelet, herself, and love.
The film features several locals as extras, including former television reporter Joe Legge, now public relations director for Catoosa County, who is seen briefly as a TV anchor. It was released to home video on Nov. 17.
Admission to the screening on Friday is $8. To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/santaland1 for the 5:30 p.m. show or bit.ly/santaland2 for the 8:30 p.m. show.
Also, "Stand On It," a film written and directed by actor/director/singer/writer John Schneider will be released on Friday, Nov. 27, on cineflixdod.com. It is an homage to "Smokey and the Bandit" and co-stars Dunlap, Tennessee resident and singer/songwriter/actor Cody McCarver. The two play modern-day versions of Burt Reynolds and Jerry Reed from the original 1977 film as friends who are challenged to repeat the original pairs' famous cross-country attempt to bootleg 400 cases of beer across state lines.
In addition to being released on the streaming service, the film will be shown at select drive-in theaters including at the Montana Drive-In in Tullahoma, Tennessee, on Nov. 28. The drive-in screenings will also feature a live concert by Schneider and McCarver and their band, Stars & Bars.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.