The independent movie Daughter of the King by Matthew Marshall came to Chatham on Wednesday September 24th in a “Bringing it Home” showing as tribute to the film’s leading actress Debra van Gaalen, as well as four other cast members with Chatham-Kent connections.
The presentation was held at the St Clair College Capitol Theatre and a portion of the proceeds went the Chatham Kent United Way and was organized in a partnership between the film’s director Matthew Marshall and the Chatham Kent Women’s Centre to bring awareness of issue of human trafficking which is one of the major themes of the film.
Lead cast member and “home town girl” Debra van Gaalen was in attendance as well as fellow major cast Member Florin Marksteiner who played Haydar and lives in Thamesville.
They met with patrons who attended both before and after the show.
Angela Corso the Program Manager of Chatham Kent Women’s Centre was also in attendance.
Prior to the show the film’s producer, director and writer Matthew Marshall announced that the film is the winner of three Accolade Global Film Competition awards of Merit including an award for home town sweetheart Debra van Gaalen in the Leading Actress category.
The other two awards include: Christian Film and Director.
The screening was a huge success and created a buzz among those that saw it.
People attended not just from Chatham, but Blenheim, West Lorne, Windsor, London, Sarnia.
There was many comments where viewers said that they connected with the main character of Ashley Miller (van Gaalen) and some of them confessed they cried.
The production is now waiting for results from some other film festivals and is also working on showings at other locations that are interested.
In the photo: Angela Corso and Matthew Marshall
