Local actors find roles in new Emilio Estevez movie
‘The Public’ hits theaters nationwide April 5.
Dayton is all over a critically acclaimed film soon hitting theaters nationwide.
Local actors including musician John W. Harden and retired U.S. Marshal and Huber Heights police officer “Hickory” William Taylor are extras in Emilio Estevez’s “The Public.”
The film opened at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January.
The film starring Estevez, Gabrielle Union, Alec Baldwin, Christian Slater and Taylor Schilling is set to be released in theaters April 5.
The Neon movie theater,130 E. Fifth St. in downtown Dayton, will show the movie, which was filmed in Cincinnati, that day.
Estevez will appear at the Cincinnati premiere of the film at Taft Theatre, 317 E. Fifth St. in Cincinnati, at 7 p.m. Friday, March 29. Tickets start at $40 for the event that includes a post-film Q&A with Estevez, the film’s writer and director, and actor Che “Rhymefest” Smith. Additional information can be found on Tafttheatre.org.
A noted actor in his own right, Estevez is the son of Dayton native Martin Sheen.
Sheen was born Ramon Antonio Gerardo Estevez and still maintains ties to Dayton.
“The Public” centers around a police standoff with homeless library patrons who have staged a sit-in during a life-threatening cold snap.
Neon movie theater manager Jonathan McNeal said he plans to partner with the Dayton Metro Library and social service organizations like Homefull to provide additional information about issues addressed in the movie to his patrons.
He said there has been local excitement about the film due to Estevez’s family ties here, the local actors and crew members involved and the film’s message.
McNeal said he viewed the film at the Toronto International Film Festival and was impressed. “It is thematically a thing we are dealing with, trying to improve the lives of homeless people and trying to make sure they have a voice,” he said.
A Fairborn resident and owner of Cape House Collectibles in Beavercreek, Taylor plays a homeless man named Doc in the film.
Harden, a Dayton native who now resides in Clayton, plays a news crew member in the movie.
Both men have had roles in several movies filmed in the region.
Taylor played a moonshiner in
James Franco’s “The Long Home” and a chef in a scene shot in this region for the Robert Red ford movie“The OldMan and the Gun” with Redford, Casey Afflffleck and Sissy Spacek.
Harden’s film credits include “Carol” starring Cate Blanchett and “Miles Ahead” starringDon Cheadle; The “Killing of a Sacred Deer” starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Farrell and “We’re Doing Fine,” a locally produced movie shot in Dayton in 2013.
In an interview with this news organization, Harden said he loves acting and was honored to work as part of Union’s news crew in the movie.
“We worked on something that was very important, bringing a lot of attention to the homeless situation. It was an honor to be a part of this,” said Harden, a composer who has played with the Dayton funk band Faze-O.
Another local actor to look for is Dayton native Bryant Louis Bentley, who has a principal role in the fifilmplaying “Cactus Ray,” one of four homelessmen who initiate a protest at the library.
Bentley, who has been acting professionally for 20 years and is now based in Columbus, said Estevez came up with his character’s name.
“Cactus” was an old nickname given to Martin Sheen when he wore his hair spiked as a young man, Bentley said.
“Itwas a wonderful time and Emilio is the best,” Bentley said in a Facebook message.
The actor, who graduated fromTrotwood-Madison High School in 1989, went on to study at Sinclair Community College and worked forMontgomery County Auditor Karl Keith and County Commissioner Debbie Lieberman, before ending his career as a Dayton Municipal Court Bailiffff in 2002.
“I’ve been a professional actor for 20 years nowand Karl, Debbie and the judges of DaytonMunicipal Court were full supporters of my work,” he said.
Bentley can be seen numerous times in the fifilm’s trailer. “The fifilmhas a surprise ending,” he said. “It’s funny, it’s suspenseful! I think the audience will enjoy it.”
“The Public” has a 71 percent on the fifilmsite Rotten Tomatoes based on reviews fromcritics from“Variety,” “Hollywood Reporter,” “Reel Film Reviews” and other media outlets.