Next Wednesday marks the world premiere of Deadline, the new movie based on veteran journalist Mark Ethridge’s 2005 novel Grievances; Ethridge also wrote the screenplay for the movie. Deadline stars Eric Roberts and Steve Talley as reporters investigating a decades-old civil right murder.
The world premiere itself kicks off an experiment of sorts in movie-making. After the premiere, the movie’s director and many of its actors will embark on a forty-two-city tour of the country to promote the film in person. This grassroots approach epitomizes Deadline as a whole — a movie produced by Nashville-based production company FilmHouse, which used predominantly local actors and even had its soundtrack written by a local musician.
Ethridge told the Tennessean newspaper that he and Hahn met when Ethridge spoke about Grievances at their fortieth high school reunion. Four years later, advance screenings of the movie are already bringing in positive reviews; MovieGuide said Deadline‘s mystery keeps “viewers engaged [and] guessing.”
The release of Deadline comes in conjunction with the publication of Ethridge’s new book, Fallout. Like Grievances, Fallout follows a newspaper reporter, this time seeking the cause of an illness that strikes an entire Ohio community. Fallout is available in print and ebook formats, as is Grievances.
Mark DeCastrique, author of Blackman’s Coffin, called Fallout “a gripping drama of love and perseverance expertly woven into a tale of murder and betrayal. Fallout leaves you haunted by the terror without and the terror within that can strike every family and every community. Ethridge has crafted a compelling story highlighting a ticking time bomb whose fallout threatens us all.”
The first premiere of Deadline will be hosted by the Tennessean, and proceeds benefit Nashville’s Family and Children’s Services. Premieres in other cities, Hahn told the Nashville Scene, will similarly partner with newspapers and support local charities.
Learn more about Deadline from the official movie website, deadlinefilm.com. You can read articles about the premiere from the Tennessean, Nashville Scene, and Nashville’s NewsChannel 5. Grievances and Fallout are available direct from NewSouth Books or your favorite book retailer.