Movie filmed in Selma set for release

By Katie Nichols (Contact) | Selma Times-Journal

Published Sunday, August 3, 2008

Local citizens are preparing to see themselves on the big screen.

The Capri Theater, Montgomery, will host the premiere of “When I Find the Ocean” 3 p.m. Aug. 10.

Director, Tonya Holly, filmed part of the movie in Selma.

Many extras from Selma were used including Ronnie Mac.

Mac, manager of Cosby Ice, started his film career in 1968 in the film “The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.” He was an extra in the film, but it began an interest in the movie business.

“Making a movie is really interesting,” Mac said. “It is glamorous, but it is a lot of hard work too.”

The movie follows the story of Lily Strickland. The young girl searches for peace by looking for the ocean. Her father died while at sea and Lily wants to say her goodbyes.

She left the safety of her world that involved her grandparents (Diane Ladd and Lee Majors) and mother (Amy Redford).

Lily holds more than grief from her father’s death. She knows unpleasant secrets about the man her mother is going to marry.

“When I Find the Ocean” received a Dove Seal of Approval. Dove awards movies that promote a family friendly subject.

Other awards include second place awards in the Reel Women International Film Festival and Myrtle Beach International Film Festival and the Bronze Remi Award from WorldFest Houston.

“When I Find the Ocean” marks the debut of Holly as a feature writer, director, and producer. She worked in Selma on other films including “Body Snatchers” and “Blue Sky.”

Holly, a graduate of University of North Alabama, lives in Sheffield, Alabama.

Mac met Holly on the set of “Blue Sky” where she was the casting director.

“She had me read for a role that played opposite Tommy Lee Jones,” Mac said. “It came down to me and one other guy. They decided to go with the other guy because he had military experience.”

Mac remembered Holly years after their initial meeting.

“I saw here on January 1 and I spoke to her,” Mac said. “I found out she was making a movie here and I started to talk about being in it.”

Mac not only has a speaking role as Sergeant Lyle. Holly entrusted him with the job of location manager and finding cars from the 1960’s.

Holly’s eldest daughter, Lily Holly, portrays the lead role, Lily Strickland.

Lily, 13, appears with her younger sister, Abby, and older brother, Kyle, in the film.

Lee Majors plays Thomas Strickland, Lily’s grandfather. The Golden Globe nominee is best known for his role as Steve Austin in “The Six Million Dollar Man.”

Academy Award nominee, Diane Ladd, stars as Edna Strickland, Lily’s grandmother. Ladd earned Oscar nominations for her role as Flo in Martin Scorsese’s “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” and two more nominations for the movies “Wild At Heart” and “Rambling Rose.”

The character Amos Jackson helps Lily throughout the film. Bernie Casey plays the role. Casey was a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers and has appeared in more than 40 films.

He also is an acclaimed artist. Sidney Poitier, Burt Reynolds, and Maya Angelou display his art in their private collections.

“When I Find the Ocean” is set to be released on DVD throughout the country in August.

“Future showings and releases will depend on the response from the premiere,” Mac said. “I would love for everyone to come out and support it.”