HUNTINGTON — James Holley’s “The Good Fight,†a locally produced film that features Huntington-area locations and local actors, had its first official screening Friday at Marquee Cinemas in Pullman Square.
Holley said that what started as a passion project alongside the film’s star actor Ashley Stinnett during the pandemic grew into something much larger that he hopes will change the way people view the area.
“We [Holley and Stinnett] both got pulled off our projects and sent home, and we actually came up with the idea for ‘The Good Fight’ as the short film to just do something during lockdown to keep us sharp and to keep us going crazy from boredom,†he said.
At first, all they had collected were a series of “cinematic-looking†scenes from throughout the city without a storyline. However, after facing many obstacles resulting from the pandemic, they were able to turn it into a full-length film about everyday challenges that would also showcase the beauty of Huntington and combat local stereotypes.
“One of the things I tried to focus on was how pretty our area is, whereas a lot of people that are not locals that come in from out of state, they want to show our problems. They want to highlight any bad issues we have,†Holley said. “That, or all they want to see is Marshall.â€
Holley is a Marshall University alumnus and, like some of the other crew members, is from Huntington. He said many of them felt it was important to create a film that would allow viewers to see daily life in Huntington while avoiding any negative stereotypes.
“Being from West Virginia, I like the idea that potentially people are going to see this and view us in a completely different light,†he said.
“The Good Fight†was filmed entirely in West Virginia and Kentucky and includes several local settings, including Stewart’s Drive-In, The Frederick, the Huntington Police Department and others that Holley hopes will focus on the natural environment and businesses of the area.
“[It’s] just kind of a love letter to the scenery that is Huntington and Barboursville.â€
Dave Lavender, head of the West Virginia Film Office, said in an email to The Herald-Dispatch that he is excited to see West Virginia gaining more traction in film this year with regionally made films like “The Good Fight†and “Redhead,†which was released in October.
"Well-made independent films up on the screens here at Marquee Cinemas at Pullman Square 16 in the heart of Huntington, reminds people that the film industry isn’t just a relished relic of the past such as the ‘We Are Marshall’ movie, but that film, TV and music video production is happening in this state every day, and it is only growing as production companies discover West Virginia’s new tax incentive for film in the Mountain State,†he said.
In reference to the working culture of West Virginia, the film also features John Schneider, most well-known for his roles in “The Dukes of Hazzard†and “Smallville,†who plays an attorney representing coal miners who have lost their jobs and whose culture is being “attacked.â€
Holley said Schneider was particularly exciting to work with, not only for his experience but for the dignity and kindness with which he treated the entire cast and crew.
“The Good Fight†is about an MMA coach-turned-wrestler who is battling alcoholism, although Holley said every character in the film is facing their own battles. For example, one character is fighting for their family, while another has health issues.
“Everybody has something that they’re battling, that they’re wrestling with in life,†he said. “The idea behind the title ‘The Good Fight’ is, when we decide what is important to us, what is worth fighting for?â€
There are moments that many viewers may be able to relate to, and the film will have something for everyone, Holley said.
He also described the film as being “faith-based,†although he said the movie does not “preach†or feature any conversion scenes and instead focuses on the struggles in the film that are overcome using faith.
“It’s about the people that are your neighbors that would identify as Christian,†he said. “Every single person’s got something in their life that they’re dealing with, whether it’s in private or public. And what we did in the movies, we just allowed Bible scriptures to sort of … be the basis for their finding their resolution.â€
Holley said viewers can expect real fight scenes from hired Big Time Wrestling and professional MMA fighters and scenes choreographed by Robert Gertz, a professional stuntman and bodyguard. He said the film also includes a score composed by Mike Cochran, a musician from Huntington.
Cochran is the worship collective director for Kentucky Christian University, and some songs from his band Render the Hearts are also featured in the film.
“I feel truly honored to have played a small part in bringing this film to life. It is a huge step for Appalachian artists, musicians, actors and filmmakers,†he said in a press release.
“The Good Fight†is Holley’s first film he’s both directed and produced, and he hopes that the film will serve as a resume builder for the other cast and crew members as well.
