AJ Arts & Entertainment

Rich Howells Abington Journal Correspondent

Scranton may have become a household name on the small screen with “The Office,” but local movie producer Joe Van Wie is looking to use his hometown on the silver screen for his first feature film, “Forged.”

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At left, Manny Perez playing the character Chuco.

Photos Courtesy of Scott Krycia

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The movie is being directed by William Wedig, who made his directorial debut in 2007 with the film “Rise of the Dead,” and will star Manny Perez in the lead role. Perez is best known for his supporting role in the 2008 film “Pride and Glory” which starred Ed Norton and Colin Farrell as well as appearances on television’s “CSI Miami,” “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Third Watch,” and “Rescue Me.” While no release date has been set yet, the film should be ready for film festivals by the end of the year.

“Forged” is a tale of a gangster named Jesus “Chuco” Barrera, who returns to a life of crime and excess after being released from prison. His 13-year-old son, Machito, unexpectedly follows him on a drug-delivery for a local gang. Chuco is faced with an opportunity to double-cross the gang and begin mending his relationship with his son, but the wrong choice could also lead to his own death. While the story does not explicitly take place in Scranton, the entire movie was be shot in the area and serves as the visual backdrop for the film.

Van Wie, who founded Revere Pictures in Scranton to produce the film, was thrilled to find that the entire community was supportive. Local businesses have provided catering for the cast and crew and much of the movie’s budget was spent in the area. Van Wie was even sure to hire local film students and graduates to help out and obtain some firsthand experience. Mayor Doherty also encouraged him to produce “Forged” in the area.

“The people in Scranton have given us so much support. This film may have never gotten finished without the support of the people of Scranton,” Van Wie explained.

Van Wie’s job as executive producer was to organize the production of “Forged” and to keep the film on budget. A former student of the University of Scranton, he moved to New York City to pursue acting, but learned that producing was just as rewarding.

“I’ve found that it’s much easier to put projects together than to wait for a project to come along that you want to be a part of,” said Van Wie

Van Wie explained that he’s very hands-on and has been present on the set every day, although he feels the movie is in very capable hands.

Director William Wedig got his start in the industry as an editor, so shooting from an editor’s perspective, the filming has been precise and no time has been wasted, and Perez, the film’s lead, has impressed the crew.

“That’s why I’m glad we’re doing this independently. Studios are convinced that movies are a recipe and people aren’t moved by a recipe. Manny takes a rotten character and forces you to have sympathy for him right to the end. That’s a remarkable performance,” Van Wie asserted.

Now deep into production, Joe is positive that he made the right choice shooting “Forged” locally.

“There are big chunks of Scranton that are timeless. The industries, the buildings, the snow…the harsh landscape of this story of redemption cuts right through these mountains. (Filming in Scranton) changed the whole dynamic of the story and made it a much better script.”

Once a date for release has been set and a film festival run is planned, Van Wie expects to have a screening in the area for all those who participated in the making of the movie.

While this crime drama is a far step away from the offices of Dunder Mifflin, “Forged” may help boost the growing film industry in our area and encourage other filmmakers to set their stories in Pennsylvania’s seventh largest city.