We haven't had too much on this film, just a few mentions here and there. But this is by far the most we will have learned, so read on and find out if it's something you are interested in... (a few spoilers do follow)
The movie "Cherry Falls", to which AICN has given some coverage, is filming a few scenes at the building which my school (The Governor's School for Government and International Studies) and another share (Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, VA). Here's what I've learned about it as a result:
--Of those performers listed in IMDB's cast list, Michael Biehn, Jay Mohr, and Brittany Murphy are filming scenes at the school. Other actors may be doing so as well. The character of "Timmy", apparently one of the leads, has been renamed, although since I am, quite honestly, not familiar with Keram Malicki-Sánchez, I can't figure out which character descrbied below was once Timmy.
--Jay Mohr does not know how to conduct himself in polite society (more of a People-type gossip tidbit than actual Cool News...tell me if you want to hear it)
--The plot is as follows. This was put together by the director of the film and the director (principal) of the school in the form of a letter sent home to appease parents concerned about rumors that the film would be rated NC-17 (this synopsis leaves out some key parts of which I've learned in conversations with the crew and from friends who have seen parts of the script, such as the portrayal of an orgy and the depiction of a young girl being crucified). This is verbatim from the letter, with the original spelling and grammar errors left intact ("pre-martial sexual relationship", indeed):
In the idyllic town of Cherry Falls, Ohio, idealistic teen JODY MARKEN struggles to maintain her virginity despite peer pressure to behave otherwise. In conflict over this issue with her longtime boyfriend KENNY, she gives him his walking papers despite the fact that she loves him because she won't be pressured into a premature (aka pre-martial) sexual relationship. Supported by her parents, Sheriff BRENT MARKEN, and her mom, MARGE, a housewife, Jody bravely goes her lonely and righteous way.
Meanwhile, a mad serial killer begins to target the teens of Cherry Falls. After the murder of two necking kids by an unknown assailant, Sheriff Marken, aided in his investigation by his old friend, school principal TOM SISLER and popular young high school teacher LEONARD MARLISTON, pieces together the shocking fact that the town's virgins, the bulk of their high school population, are at risk.
Confronted with the prospect of death, the teens of Cherry Falls grapple with a set of circumstances counter to the norm: now school and parental authorities are encouraging not to refrain from sexual relationships through threat of serious retribution, they are encouraged to make up their minds themselves. Some, like Jody's wayward friend SANDY, choose to compromise themselves rather than face the struggle head on.
Jody is attacked by the killer, but heroically survives. Eventually, with the help of her father, mother, and boyfriend Kenny, now more understanding of her behavior, Jody helps unmask the killer and in the process learns hard truths about her own family.
CHERRY FALLS is a parable of the problems of teenage sexuality in modern America, and the dangers of prolonged and premature exposure to adult behaviors. A cautionary tale with a sense of humor, CHERRY FALLS poses a hyperbolic hypothetical in cinematic terms easily understood by young audiences, and ultimately communicates to teens the need to listen to one's inner voice and not be ruled by a crowd mentality which would have one engage in behaviors counter to one's own beliefs and the beliefs of one's parents.
Now my comments: I'm not sure whether this film is aimed at the teen-slasher audience (and therefore going for the R rating) or the more adult excessive-partial-nudity-fans audience (and therefore not caring too much if they get slapped with NC-17). The film is more about glimpses of the deflowering of various teenagers than any moral message. The name of the movie (not to mention the garish Washington High School Fighting Cherries logo which has appeared on our beloved gym floor for the past few days) suggests an over-the-top ploy to draw in the young-teen crowd. As various websites have reported, the film will be released in late October of this year. Studio shots are occuring at New Millenium Studios in Petersburg, VA.
