Movie filmed in Staunton debuts

This photo depicts a scene from “Familiar Strangers,” opening locally today. (Courtesy of Cavalier Films)

By: Bob Stuart | News Virginian
Published: November 21, 2008

Picturesque Staunton locations such as the Mill Street Grill Restaurant, the old Worthington Hardware building and the train station are on display in “Familiar Strangers,’’ an independent film which has its Staunton premiere today at the Visulite Cinemas.

The 90-minute story of the Worthington family dealing with changing relationships between parents and children over a Thanksgiving holiday was filmed two years ago by Cavalier Films, a Charlottesville-based company.

West Coast-based actors were cast in the film. They include Shawn Hatosy, DJ Qualls, Nikki Reed, Cameron Richardson, Ann Dowd and Tom Bower and the first appearance by George Mae Lively.

Barry Sisson, the movie’s co-producer and Cavalier Films president, said Staunton was chosen after issues developed with the Northern Virginia community of Leesburg as the location.

“One of the producers knew Staunton, and Staunton was perfect for locations and housing,’’ Sisson said.

Sisson calls the $1 million movie “a nice postcard for Staunton.’’

“People are excited about the film,’’ said Sisson, who previously was involved in the production of the critically acclaimed “The Station Agent.”

So far, “Familiar Strangers’’ has been seen at Charlottesville’s Regal Cinemas in The Downtown Mall and in Fairfax.

And in the coming weeks, the film will debut in Richmond, Nashville, Knoxville and Kansas City.

Staunton Tourism Director Sheryl Wagner said the film may indirectly benefit the Queen City.

But Wagner said her office’s primary goal is to recruit films to come to Staunton and spend money at local hotels and restaurants.

“We work with film scouts,’’ said Wagner.

A scout came several months ago to look at Staunton for a Victoria’s Secret commercial, she said. “We take scouts out and show our natural resources and our architecture.”

Wagner said even a commercial like the one for Victoria’s Secret can mean two weeks of shooting in a community, which translates into lodging and meals money.

The last major film production to film in Staunton was 2001’s “Hearts In Atlantis,’’ starring Anthony Hopkins.

The movie was filmed on the city’s Sears Hill in 2000 and Hopkins and other members of the case spent time in local hotels and restaurants.