Mike Ostroski and John Hedges portray Capt. Theodore Allen and Lt. A.A. Carr in the award-winning feature film "Freedom."
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Freedom, the independent film shot and produced in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee last year, was named the winner in the Feature Film category at the 2008 Virginia Film Competition.
The competition, created by the Virginia Film Office to highlight the talents of Virginia's homegrown film making community, was held April 26 at the Byrd Theater in downtown Richmond, Va. Co-sponsored by the Virginia Production Alliance, the competition featured the work of Virginia film makers in three categories: Features, Shorts and Documentaries.
"Freedom" was based on true events surrounding the aftermath of the battle of Rogersville in November 1863. It chronicles the adventures of Seventh Ohio Cavalry officers Capt. Theodore Allen and Lt. A.A. Carr and their escape after the battle. The two men attempted to return to Union lines by escaping across east Tennessee with the aid of the Underground Railroad.
The film was written and directed by Bristol native Rick McVey and features performances by several local actors including Mike Ostroski, Frank Green and Eugene Wolf. The film includes the work of over 100 local Civil War reenactors. It won several awards at the 2007 Southern Appalachian International Film Festival including Best Film, Best Direction and a Best Supporting Actor Award for co-star John Hedges.
Information about Freedom is available at www.freedomthefilm.com
