Locally filmed 'Rosebud Lane' screened to sold-out audiences

On Thursday Brevard’s Co-Ed Cinema transformed into what felt like a night at the Oscars in Hollywood: floor-length gowns, live music, photo shoots and lots of popcorn.

Locally filmed and produced feature-length movie “Rosebud Lane” was screened twice on Thursday – in the afternoon and evening – at the Co-Ed.

Two sold-out shows were met by an enthusiastic audience which included many of the film’s extras, their friends and family. A red carpet and photo backdrop were also set up on the sidewalk for ticket-purchasers to strike a glamor pose.

“The director, John Lacy, is working on selling the film and is currently showing ‘Rosebud Lane’ in the film festival circuit now,” said Tammy Hopkins, the film’s producer. “Our next showing is in Winston-Salem on April 26 at 5 p.m. with RiverRun International Film Festival.”

The film will be shown at 10 festivals and has already won at three of them.

“Rosebud Lane” tells the story of a Hollywood filmmaker who connects with his estranged young son and the result leaves a small mountain town shattered. Lacy filmed it during the pandemic in 2020 and his mother, who was in the audience, lives in the area.

“It was fun,” said Leticia Kessell, who was an extra in the film and attended the red carpet event in a beautiful emerald-green gown. “It was nice to see the final outcome —and the surprise ending.”

It was quite an experience filming during the pandemic, she said, for she and others had to constantly take their masks on and off. More than 100 local extras were used in the film.

The film stars Tyne Stecklein (“Dancing with the Stars”), Brad Abrell (“Men in Black”), Tess Harper (“Tender Mercies” and “No Country for Old Men”) and Brevard’s Bronson Leder who plays the 10-year-old son.

Local locations featured in the film included Creekside Subs, Sunset Motel, Wine Down on Main, Co-ed Cinema, 185 King Street, Dolly’s Ice Cream, The Poe House, downtown Main Street in Hendersonville and several private homes and farms.

The music group “Gypsy and Me,” who was featured in the film, performed live before each of the film’s showing on Thursday.

Lacy commented during the Q&A immediately following the film with the cast, crew and audience members. He said it was “hard to find live music” while filming, but he visited 185 King Street, saw “Gypsy and Me” performing and they struck a deal.

Lacy said he and his crew filmed 110 pages of script in 17 days.

If you missed the screening in Brevard, it can be streamed on RiverRun’s website (www.riverrunfilm.com) or seen in person with some of the film’s enthusiastic cast and crew, said Hopkins. Those interested can follow the successes of the film on Rosebud Lane’s Facebook page to keep updated on future events.