Detroit, MI (PRWEB) March 14, 2014
Detroit-based film company J Squared Productions is pleased to announce its debut feature film, “MISLED,” will have its World Premiere at the Gasparilla International Film Festival in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, March 22. Starring, co-written and produced by Detroit native Jonathan Stanley, MISLED is a gritty story about growing up on the streets of Detroit, based largely on Stanley’s life, including his dropping out of high school and working as a male stripper. The film also stars Sammy Sheik (“Lone Survivor”), Natalie Avital (“Criminal Minds”), and Detroit’s Matt Lockwood (“Answer This”), and is the feature directorial debut of Scott Baldyga, who also co-wrote and produced the film.
A passion project of Stanley’s, MISLED depicts many tribulations he faced growing up, telling the story of two Detroit brothers trying to improve their lives, one of whom, Bobby, is involved in the drug world, while his brother Jason (played by Stanley) turns to stripping and prostitution. Stanley began writing the script after connecting with executive producer John Blackwell, owner of Plymouth's Blackwell Ford dealership, a fan of his performance in the award-winning indie film “This Narrow Place,” who agreed to finance the film.
MISLED was filmed in late 2012 mostly in the city of Detroit, as well as in locations in Hamtramck, Plymouth and Dearborn. It was filmed as part of the Michigan Film Incentive Program with an on-set crew of 50, 97 percent of whom were from metro Detroit. While comparisons have been made to actor Channing Tatum’s experiences in the film “Magic Mike,” MISLED shows the darker, seedier side of male stripping against the cold inner city Detroit backdrop.
Stanley has been shuttling between Los Angeles and Detroit recently for television’s annual pilot season, but will attend the World Premiere in Tampa along with other film principals, while also participating in filmmaker panels during the week.
The Gasparilla Film Festival, now in its eighth year, runs March 19-23, and has quickly become a top festival in the nation’s Southeast region with multiple World Premieres such as last year’s “Empire State” from director Dito Montiel (“A Guide to Recognizing your Saints”) and prolific producer Randall Emmett.
J Squared Prod. is awaiting word from other leading film festivals as it progresses toward a distribution deal for MISLED. Fans of the film can follow it at Facebook.com/Misledfilm or at MisledMovie.com.
Note: Jonathan Stanley is available for interviews through KenDrozConsulting(at)gmail(dot)com or 323.854.6858.
