WVU Alumni Help Shape the World of West Virginia Film Making
Cameron Khoshgam | Monday, April 29, 2019
“Back Fork” is a new feature film set in our very own West Virginia. Native Josh Stewart writes, directs and stars in the film, and it features Alumni from our very own West Virginia University School of Theatre & Dance.
Best known for his portrayals of Quentin Collins on “Dark Shadows” and Richard Channing on “Falcon Crest”, David Selby (playing Bill in the film) was born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia. He attended West Virginia University, earning a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in theater.
Alumnus of our MFA Acting program, Cathy O’Dell (playing Janet in the film) is currently the Associate Professor of Acting and Theatre Appreciation at WVU. O’Dell has portrayed Helen Vicks on season four of the HBO/Cinemax series, “Banshee”. Other television roles include Mrs. Bell in TLC’s “Night Visitors”, and a featured role in “Outsiders”. She has also appeared in Academy award nominated Richard Linklater’s film “Last Flag Flying”. Other films include, Edgar Alan Poe’s “Requiem for the Damned”, “1863”, and “The Baggage Claim” directed by Academy Award nominated and Golden Globe winner Irene Miracle. She was also invited by Mr. Linklater to be an acting rehearsal partner for Cate Blanchette and Kristen Wiig for the film “Where’d You Go Bernadette”.
This film tackles the struggles of opiate addiction and familial struggle as Stewart’s character, Waylon, mourning the death of his daughter, sorrow eating away at his marriage, scores pills from his elderly father to help with a back injury — until the pills beckon his inner demons to trample his life. His sister is right along for the ride into the darkest depths of humanity and addiction. It is a hard look at the real struggles many people go through every day. Painting this picture is an important step in recognizing citizens in this state are suffering and need help. Our school is proud to have helped shape artists thriving in the community.
You can watch “Back Fork” now on Amazon Prime
Video, YouTube and Google Play.
