The film, titled “Stars and Bars,” follows a former motocross racer, Manny, who brings his 8-year-old daughter back to his central Pennsylvania hometown for the 95th birthday of Lil, the town matriarch. During the return home, Manny uncovers even more hardships and decline than he remembered, and reconnecting with his former love, Bud, leads to unforeseen scrutiny.
The film goes beyond capturing a fleeting glimpse of a forgotten America, said Gluck, whose films have earned numerous awards at festivals across the United States, including Sundance and Tribeca, during her decade-long tenure at Penn State. “Stars and Bars” is look at the long-standing pride and heritage of the region, and the film pays homage to the service of World War II veterans as well as family-run businesses and institutions, she said.
Penn State alumnus Johnathan Fernandez (“Gossip Girl,” “Lethal Weapon”) plays the lead role of Manny. Professional actors Judith Roberts ("Orange is the New Black," "We Were Never Really Here"), Joelle Carter ("Justified," "Chicago Justice") and Luzer Twersky ("High Maintenance," "Felix and Meira"), who regularly works with Gluck, appear in the film, as do Frenchville resident Dean Auen and 6-year-old Mayami Pearl Beniquez from Curwensville. Both of the local residents are making their on-screen debuts.
Others with Penn State connections working on the film include Sophia Alexander, a designer from the College of Arts and Architecture; students from the College of the Liberal Arts and Bellisario College alumni Brandon Scotland, the second unit assistant director; Helena McHugh, the scripty; Jon Barden, a gaffer; and master of fine arts graduate Haniyeh Parhizkar.
Parallels between the film and some real-life characters are intentional based on months of research and connections with the motocross community, veterans, and small-business owners.
"The film bridges and interweaves aspects of my own personal story along with my research and growing affections here in central Pennsylvania," Gluck said. For example, longtime motocross rider Gig Hamilton of Osceola Mills is the grandfather of Amber Hamilton, who is the co-owner of Mountain Top MX with her partner Austin Coblentz. The motocross track serves as primary location for the film. Likewise, Wynter Whalen owns the historic Osceola Hotel, which serves as the location of “Lil’s,” the bar in the movie.
“My goal is to show what the film industry can do here in central Pennsylvania, and this film is the start of that,” Altoona-based producer Michael DePiro said. He has collaborated or managed projects with industry partners such as Bravo TV, Hulu, Netflix, Red Bull and more.
Because of the nature of the film, the film also includes stunt coordinator Chris Columbo, known for his stunt work on more than 130 film and television shows, including “Daredevil,” “The Bourne Ultimatum,” “Tower Heist,” “The Manchurian Candidate” and many more.
Once completed, “Stars and Bars” will be entered in film festivals and shared with filmmaking decision makers across the country. It’ll focus on the story and location, thanks to all the people — especially those connected to Penn State — who have helped make the production a reality, Gluck said.