Pasco: 'Florida City' not among favorites at film fest

'Florida City' not among favorites at film fest

But director Ralph Clemente is not discouraged. He plans to distribute the film and enter it in other competitions.

By CHASE SQUIRES

Dade City won't be heading to Park City, Utah, after all.

But that hasn't quelled the enthusiasm of film director Ralph Clemente, who captured part of Dade City earlier this year in his production of Florida City. The film was not among the 16 independent productions selected this week from 1,759 American and foreign films and documentaries entered in the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in Park City.

Clemente said he wasn't disappointed by the slight and noted that many of the chosen films were the works of directors who had already been to Sundance or the work of bigger production companies that have already arranged distribution.

Clemente said he spent this week finising post-production work on Florida City and is talking with distributors about the best time to put the movie out to the public.

He said a fall debut is most likely.

"Of course, it's all up to the distributor," he said.

Florida City was filmed during a six-weeks period this spring at locations around Central Florida. While much of the film was done in Orange City, Volusia County, a pivotal scene was recorded at Cecil Southern's Cecil & Sons Autos and Parts, a local landmark.

The story is about a small-town police chief who stumbles onto a government plot to get the United States into World War II during the days leading up to the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

In the Dade City scenes, the chief realizes he must force himself to be a better man and follow what could be a dangerous route to get to the truth.

At a panel discussion after a sneak premiere of the film last month, Clemente said the shots in Dade City were some of his favorite and among the most important ones in the movie.

Clemente said while Sundance judges didn't chose Florida City, there are many more opportunities to show the work before signing on for distribution.

"Obviously, this is not the end of the road for us," he said Friday.

Florida City stars several Hollywood actors, including Zen Gesner, Jeanetta Arnette, Morgan Sheppard and former University of Florida linebacker James Bates. The film's Web site is at http:// www.floridacitythemovie.com.