County Line Showing!
By Julie Paysen
The Historic Ritz Theatre at The Schaefer Center will
host the first theatrical release of INSP Films “County Line”.
INSP Films has chosen Toccoa, GA, to host the premiere of its newest release, County Line. The action-packed crime drama was shot in Toccoa in 2016. Gary Wheeler, Vice President of Original Movies at INSP Films, said “the city of Toccoa provided the perfect backdrop for County Line.” “We needed rural landscapes, a racetrack, a small-town diner, a courthouse and other unique shoot locations. Toccoa provided these and more. It’s fitting that the townspeople, many of whom played extras in the film, will be one of the first audiences to see it.”
This is the second film that INSP has shot in Toccoa-Stephens County. The first was Heritage Falls. It premiered in Toccoa last fall. Then just a few months later INSP Films decided to shoot their next movie here as well. The INSP cast and crew were such a delight to work with and were very grateful for the warm welcome they received in our community.
The film industry is booming in Georgia. According to a new report by FilmL.A., “17 feature films shot in Georgia in 2016, beating California as the top location for feature film production and making it the number one filming location in the world! Georgia’s film industry not only shot the most movies but, had some of the highest grossing movies films in the state as well.”
Toccoa-Stephens County is a Camera Ready Community. According to the www.Georgia.org website, “Georgia’s Camera Ready Communities program connects film and TV productions with skilled county liaisons across the state to provide local expertise and support.” Being a Camera Ready Community in the State of Georgia helps tremendously when it comes to the exposure that we receive with those in the film industry; and the benefits to our community are many. The dollars that are invested in our community during the many weeks of filming have a definite impact on our local economy. Not to mention the opportunity for our folks to be part of the production as cast members and extras along with the sense of pride that comes to our residents to see our town promoted on the “big screen”.
County Line tells the story of Alden Rockwell, an aging ex-sheriff dealing with the recent death of his wife and forced into retirement after losing a re-election bid. When his old war buddy, closest friend and neighboring sheriff, Clint Thorne, is shot, Rockwell finds himself in the middle of a non-sanctioned investigation. Amidst a dangerous threat to his own life, Rockwell refuses to stand by while a ruthless element takes over the town.
Cast in the leading role as Alden Rockwell is Tom Wopat (The Dukes of Hazzard, Longmire, Django Unchained). Sheriff Clint Thorne is played by Jeff Fahey (Texas Rising, Justified, Lost, Under the Dome). Patricia Richardson (Home Improvement, The West Wing) plays the spunky diner owner, Maddie Hall. Dendrie Taylor (Saving Mr. Banks, Out of the Furnace, True Blood) plays Clint’s straightforward but fiery wife, Jordan Thorne.
INSP Films debuts its newest movie in Toccoa, June 16-18 at the Historic Ritz Theatre @ the Schaefer Center. For show times call or stop by the Chamber of Commerce office and purchase your tickets! They’re going fast! To see the County Line movie trailer, please visit our Visit Toccoa page on Facebook or www.countylinemovie.com.