Locally filmed ‘God Bless the Broken Road” premieres Friday.

Locally filmed ‘God Bless the Broken Road” premieres Friday with red carpet event.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

MANISTEE — The latest film by 10 West Studios premieres Friday, Aug. 24, at the Ramsdell Theatre. “God Bless the Broken Road” is the locally-owned film company’s largest undertaking and will be released Sept. 7 to over 1,000 theaters across the country. The film also has a powerful message and a charitable cause.

“I wanted to do a movie that would make an impact on people’s lives,” said writer, director, and producer Harold Cronk of Scottville. “Our whole team has a huge place in our hearts for our military members and their families. This film is about a young mother who finds herself trying to survive after the loss of her husband, a solider who dies in Afghanistan. It’s about finding that seed of faith even in your darkest hour and knowing that it can still grow.”

Director Harold Cronk

Cronk, who directed the blockbuster hit “God’s Not Dead,” and its sequel, “God’s Not Dead 2,” said he saw the impact that those films had on people’s lives and wanted to create a film just as inspiring, but also a film that would give back in other ways. For that reason, 10 West Studios has given 5% ownership of “God Bless the Broken Road” to the Disabled American Veterans, meaning the organization will receive 5% of the net profits of the movie.

“This is an uplifting story and also a very gritty story. It’s all about finding hope in our brokenness. We are all traveling broken roads in some way. It’s got an incredible cast that brings the characters to life,” Cronk said.

Actors include Lindsay Pulsipher as lead character Amber Hill. Pulsipher is best known for her roles in HBO’s “True Blood” and “Hatfields & McCoys.” The movie also stars Jordin Sparks, Andrew Walker, Robin Givens, Kim Delaney, Mackenzie Moss, Gary Grubbs, Arthur Cartwright, Madeline Carroll, and football star LaDainian Tomlinson.

The majority of the film was shot in Manistee, Mason, and Ottawa counties.

“We shot scenes depicting the deserts of Afghanistan in the dunes at the Ludington State Park,” Cronk said. “The staff of the park was incredible to work with, as were the people of Manistee. When people found out the message behind this movie and also the charitable cause, helping our veterans, they went above and beyond to help us out.”

Scenes were also shot at Berlin Raceway in Marne, near Grand Rapids.

“That was pretty incredible, to be out on the race track, shooting the racing scenes,” Cronk said.

Local producers of the film include Edgar Struble and Shelly Newman.

The film will hold its red carpet premiere Friday. Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. screening are $10 each and tickets for the 5:30 p.m. mixer and screening are $25 each. All the proceeds of the screening will be donated to the located DAV. Advanced tickets can be purchased, beginning Tuesday, at the Ramsdell.