Scott Smith Article

We could really use your help in spreading the word about this love story coming to theaters, especially in the cities it is opening in. If you would, could you please let people you know about it. Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Me & You, Us, Forever

THE LOVE STORY IS NOW LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY
Is it playing in your city? Find out here: http://www.meyouusforever.com/theaters.htm
The following story was written by Scott Smith, a reporter for the Ft. Smith, Arkansas Times Record. We thank Scott for allowing us to share this article he wrote about the upcoming love story, "Me & You, Us, Forever".

One former Arkansas resident will see his latest film hit the big screen in 83 cities in 34 states on Feb. 15.

Written, produced and directed by Dave Christiano, a graduate of Arkansas State University, “Me & You, Us, Forever,” will present a different kind of tale than what’s quickly woven inside Hollywood studios these days.

“The film is based on a true story, and it’s coming out in digital cinema, which is state-of-the-art digital technology,” he said during a recent telephone interview. “Digital cinema is the way all movie theaters will eventually be.”

Christiano said the film was given a PG rating by the Motion Picture Association of America, simply because of the story’s Christian themes.

“We do Christian films, but this film isn’t preachy,” said the 51-year-old Hendersonville, N.C., resident and owner of Dave Christiano Films. “I based it on a true story, and I’ve had this idea for 20 years. I had this idea even before I was married.”

The story focuses on a man, played by actor Michael Blain-Rozgay, who finds himself in a painful divorce. Seeking comfort, the man begins to think about his first love, a girl he dated for two years, four months and 28 days in the mid-1970s.

“Instead of making up all of the love stuff, I just based it on my own past,” said Christiano. “The early stuff is true, and I based it on a girl I dated.”

When Christiano contacted her, he hadn’t seen her in almost 22 years. He asked for her consent for the character’s portrayal, but added that he would understand if she rejected his request. She agreed.

“The film takes place in 2004 and flashes back to 1974, and the modern stuff is what I altered; that part is fiction, but the past story is true,” Christiano said. “When people see the film and the way it ends, they will say, ‘Hey, that was about a real person.’ Without giving it away, the title makes perfect sense when you do see the film.”

Understandably, Christiano has refused to discuss the meaning of the film’s title, as well as the ending. He’s even refused screener copies to his own cast members, who include Stacey J. Aswad, Hugh McLean, Jenna Bailey, Karla Droege, and Terry Loughlin.

“Yeah, the cast hasn’t seen the film, yet, but they will see it on opening night,” he said. “The cast, they trust that you do a good job, and on Feb. 16, I’m flying to Anaheim, Calif., where we booked a theater, so some of the cast can see it then. You want to be with your cast when they see the film.”

Christiano, who also created Christian television’s first prime-time dramatic series, “7th Street Theater,” is confident his cast, like the general public, will embrace the film for its direct approach and honesty.

“I feel like the movie is real, and I don’t think anyone will walk out of the theater and say, ‘That’s not real,’” he said. “The first audience for this is anyone who likes a love story, and the second audience is anyone going through a divorce, going through a difficult time or questioning their faith. You do have a love story on one side and an unwanted divorce on the other side.”

During production in 2006, “Me & You, Us, Forever” mirrored reality in an unplanned way. Kathryn Worsham, the then-17-year-old Houston, Texas actress who portrays the main character’s first love, bore a striking resemblance to Christiano’s first love.

“It was really incredible,” he said. “In other words, Kathryn looks so much like her. I thought that this is cool, and she comes from a good family. She’s a freshman now at the University of Texas, and she’ll be able to see the movie when it opens in Austin with all of her friends.”

Christiano, who often works with his twin brother, Rich, the owner of Five & Two Pictures, was born and raised in Waterloo, N.Y., before transferring to ASU in 1976. He obtained his undergraduate degree in radio and television and his master’s degree in mass communication from ASU, and taught at San Antonio Junior College for two years. It was while working in San Antonio that Christiano’s love for film bloomed.

“I shot my first film in 1985,” he said. “But I never went to school for writing or anything. I have no real influences in movies, but my brother and I, both of us write from within. We try to write what works. I’m not imitating anyone. I am just trying to do the very best I can. Both of us give 100 percent.”

A second release for Christiano’s film is slated for May 9.

“If the movie does well on Feb. 15, 16 and 17, then other theaters will want it,” Christiano said. “I will have to have a couple months to let people know the film is coming, and I am trying to target everyone. It’s about a Christian man, but it’s a love story, also. We have this Christian man who struggles with his faith and is looking for answers, and I feel that a lot of people are looking for answers these days.

“But my movie isn’t a counseling session,” he added. “But I think it has information in it that will help people. I tried to do something that’s real — real life that people can relate to, and for people to also enjoy in the theater.”





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