Local Filmmaker’s New Movie Brings Hometown Story to Life
GILBERTSVILLE—In a return to his roots, Gilbertsville filmmaker Joseph C. Stillman is set to unveil his latest movie project, “Bear,” this Friday and Saturday at the Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center. The film, an intimate drama addressing the struggles of a Gulf War veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder, promises to be a deeply personal journey for both Stillman and the local community.
According to a press release, back in 1983, during the production of “Cook and Peary, A Race to the Pole,” Stillman found himself in the frigid heart of Canada’s Ellesmere Island and Greenland. The experience sparked a desire to tell stories closer to home, away from the challenges of faraway locations.
“I always felt we had a local talent pool capable of creating substantive, original movies on both sides of the camera, and if given the opportunity, our area could compete with anyone in the industry,” Stillman recalled.
Fast forward to 1990, when Stillman, in collaboration with WSKG-TV, created the first regional dramatic TV series in the history of PBS, called “Susquehanna Stories.” The project was celebrated as “Best Original Series” by the New York State Broadcasters Association and affirmed Stillman’s belief in the storytelling potential of his community. His award-winning film, “Ruby Moon”—one of five segments for that series, written by Gilbertsville resident Diane Gallo—was the story of a young girl coming of age set against the background of the Civil War.
Returning to Gilbertsville last May to create this original drama, Stillman collaborated with long-time friend, actor and producer Barry Murphy.
“We’ve known each other for 25 years, worked with “A” list actors, directors, and producers but never on the same project, so it was a great experience to finally do something together,” Stillman said of Murphy.
“Bear” weaves a poignant narrative around a 1991 Gulf War veteran grappling with PTSD, drawing inspiration from Stillman’s real-life interactions with veterans, the press release reads.
“I wrote this film based on a five-year involvement I had with a Marine drill instructor and 25 other veterans I got to know from a 2003 Iraq War documentary I did who all had PTSD,” Stillman said.
The film, although fictional, is a tribute to resilience and a call for empathy toward those dealing with PTSD.
“Bear” was filmed in Gilbertsville and in western Otsego County, featuring a cast of local talent including Devlin Readie, Steve Dillon, Doug Decker, and others. The movie will premiere on Friday and Saturday, December 22 and 23, at the Foothills, 24 Market Street, Oneonta, with show times at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Following each screening, the filmmakers and the cast will be present to share their personal insights.