For the premiere of his latest film, one Northwest Indiana man wanted more than just a typical showing at a movie theater. He wanted a celebration of arts, held at the region’s last movie palace.
“Instead of just coming out and saying, ‘Hey, let’s watch this film,’” Chris Jamerson said, “Let’s enjoy some music, let’s get some energy. I really want to celebrate the cast and crew and their hard work and just share what this region has to offer.”
Jamerson spent this week preparing for the premiere of his latest sci-fi thriller film, “The Exiles,” which premieres at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Hoosier Theatre in Whiting.
He created and produced “The Exiles,” which is set in Northwest Indiana, with his wife, Natalie.
The film takes place in the future where all religion is outlawed, Jamerson said. The main characters are a group of orphan youth who set out to find an artifact to save themselves.
All scenes were filmed in Northwest Indiana and Homewood, Illinois, said Jamerson, who grew up in Munster.
John Katris, the theater’s owner, said he wanted to highlight the independent film after the couple approached him.
“They gave me a synopsis of the storyline, and I thought it sounded pretty interesting,” Katris said. “I try to promote young independent filmmakers. I like to see people live their dreams, and they seem like a really lovely couple.”
The film premiere will feature live entertainment prior, including local musicians such as Butta the Preacher and Rio Camacho. Audience members can also walk through a gallery of behind the scenes photos and buy merchandise.
As of Wednesday, about 400 people had bought tickets for the film, Jamerson said.
Katris believes the Hoosier Theatre is the perfect place for independent filmmakers to showcase their work.
“It’s got the ambiance of the heyday when movies were always premiered in these movie palaces,” he said. “Since the Hoosier is the last of the movie palaces in Northwest Indiana, it’s going to be more like a red carpet event as opposed to a megaplex.”
Katris has owned the Hoosier Theatre for 34 years, and he’s planning to list the building for sale in the next couple weeks, he said. He hopes that whoever buys the building shares the same vision he has.
“I see it as a vital entertainment mecca for the region,” Katris said. “The sky’s the limit of what you can do on the Hoosier Theatre stage, with the right mix of entertainment, independent, artsy and mainstream films.”
Jamerson believes it’s important to promote places like the century-old Hoosier Theatre that make Northwest Indiana unique, and he remembered that while filming “The Exiles.” Some locations include Union Station in Gary and Oak Ridge Prairie in Griffith.
Filming in the region allowed Jamerson to see his home through a new lens. For example, with Union Station, the dark aesthetics fit his film more and helped scenes stand out.
“It was a really cool opportunity to highlight (Union Station) in an artistic way,” he said. “It was just so great to highlight places that people might take for granted and say, ‘Hey, this place is here.’”
It’s not the first time Union Station has been featured on the big screen. Notable appearances include “Appointment with Death” in 1951 and “Original Gangstas” in 1996.
The Hoosier Theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987, while Union Station received the designation in 2019.
Funding for an independent film can be difficult, Jamerson said, and he and his wife funded the majority of the project’s budget. Three years ago, they started fundraising with friends, family and the community.
Because the community helped with funding, Jamerson said he’s more excited for the premiere.
But he’s also nervous to see and hear people’s reactions to “The Exiles.” He believes the film will inspire people and give them a new perspective on the world, especially the region.
“Sometimes we get really comfortable with where we’re at and not realizing what’s going on in the world or what could be if we don’t wake up and be better people,” Jamerson said. “I’m hoping that this can bring some inspiration and resuscitate people from that complacency.”
Ahead of the premiere, Katris said he’s most excited to hear applause in the theater.
“I would love to hear a standing ovation,” he said. “I would like to hear people really enjoying it, and I think people will enjoy this film. I hope it can help this young filmmaker launch his career and live his dream as a filmmaker.”
