BECKLEY, W.Va. — The release of the trailer for a comedy film debuting next week in West Virginia may catch some viewers off guard.
Though filmed in West Virginia and starring West Virginia natives, the movie "Ambrosia!" is a high-style, polished affair that may seem more appropriate to affluent New England.
Co-director David Gravely says the film's writers and directors intended to provide audiences with old-fashioned fun without vulgarity, innuendo, or heavy-handed messaging.
"This movie is just about the fun—pure and simple," he said. "It's a family-friendly way to indulge in some insanity."
Gravely said he and co-director Shane Pierce felt the need to return to the basics of Hollywood films from the mid-1900s that families could watch together.
"Craziness is not necessarily part of the household experience anymore, but we wanted to bring that back."
Filmed principally in Beckley, the production will premier there on September 27 and 28. After that, it will play at theaters elsewhere in West Virginia before being entered into festivals nationally.
Statewide theater showings have been confirmed for the following dates: Oct. 5 at the Robinson Grand in Clarksburg; Nov. 6 and 15 at the Floralee Hark Cohen Cinema in Charleston; Nov. 15 and 16 at Marquee Cinemas in Beckley; and Nov. 25 at the Greenbrier Valley Theater in Lewisburg.
Pierce and Gravely wrote and directed the 90-minute film, which follows the misadventures of an innkeeper who struggles to manage a house full of eccentric guests and staff.
"Ambrosia!" is produced by Saja Montague, Ann Worley, and Ben Berry. Its director of photography is Justin Litton. Mathew Jackfert wrote the score. Aaron Griffin is the sound recordist and audio engineer. Chris Oxley, Ann Worley, Richard Hendrick, Kim and Jason Vance, and Sharon and David Gravely, Sr. are the executive producers.
Principal cast members, listed alphabetically, include Sandeep Chugg, Eliska Hahn, Kelsey Hofe, Sam Ingram, Afsheen Misaghi, Hannah Moore-Hughes, Robby Moore, Chris Oxley, David Sibray, and Adam Taylor.
Tickets are on sale for the Sept. 28 showing at Beckley through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ambrosia-screening-second-night-tickets-1010485809257.
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