A happily married father of two, shaken by a message written in a birthday card for his daughter, abruptly leaves his family for a weeklong trek through the Grand Canyon. As the story follows the man’s solo hike, the viewer sees his memories of his earlier trip through the Grand Canyon with a different woman.
This is the premise of “Granite Rapids Moon,” which according to producer and star John Charles Meyer, is “the first narrative film shot entirely within the Grand Canyon.”
The Friends of the Wapack Trail is hosting a screening of “Granite Rapids Moon” at The Park Theatre at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15. A percentage of proceeds from the film will benefit Friends of the Wapack Trail, which works to maintain and protect the 21-mile historic hiking trail which runs along the ridge of the Wapack mountains from Ashburnham, Mass., to Greenfield.
“The producer approached us about sponsoring, and we said were happy to be a part of it, and we hope people are able to attend,” said Bruce Myrick, president of Friends of the Wapack Trail.
Mayer, who has appeared regularly in series such as “Hawaii Five-0,” “NCIS” and “The Vampire Diaries” will be at The Park Theatre on July 15 and available for the question-and-answer session. Mayer is also the founder of the nonprofit organization Plastic Free America.
According to Mayer, “Granite Rapids Moon” was made with permission and oversight from the National Park Service.
“The film was produced using only the equipment that cast and crew could carry on our backs through 82 miles of hiking. In other words, we made a film while leaving no trace,” Mayer said. “It’s a family friendly movie, with no sex, nudity, violence, guns, drugs or particularly harsh language; we think everyone will enjoy it, and of course, the setting is spectacular.”
The film crew hiked the Grand Canyon twice, once in December, with temperatures in the 20s, and once in 95-degree heat in June.
Director Kenneth Cran says the main character in the film, John Curran, is loosely based on himself and his experiences in over 20 years of hiking the Grand Canyon.
“With Granite Rapids Moon, I hope some of the people who just make it to the rim and take a photo will see that the Grand Canyon is much more than a photo op; it’s place of epic sublimity that has changed and shaped people and their stories,” Cran stated.
“Granite Rapids Moon” stars Brit Morgan (“True Blood,” “Riverdale,” “Supergirl”), Meyer, Susan Papa, Etienne Eckert, Micah Cohen, Kylie Rae Condon and Missi Pyle (“Gone Girl,” “Galaxy Quest,” “Captain Fantastic.”)
For information about the Friends of the Wapack Trail, go to wapack.org. For information about “Granite Rapids Moon,” go to graniterapidsmoon.com.