In Cleveland, a modest road‑trip across Ohio is showcasing a new indie film that puts the state’s addiction‑recovery work front and center. British actor Will Poulter, Brooklyn‑based writer‑director Adam Meeks, and Annette Deao – the program director of an adult recovery court in west‑central Ohio – are traveling together in a Chevrolet Traverse, stopping at independent theaters in Columbus, Akron and other cities.
Local roots, local focus
The three collaborators first met while making the film “Union County” last year. The movie blends a fictional storyline about foster brothers (played by Poulter and Noah Centineo) with real footage of participants in the recovery court, many of whom appear as themselves. Judge Kevin P. Braig of Logan County and Deao also portray versions of themselves, underscoring the film’s commitment to authenticity.
During the tour, the trio has shunned traditional publicity. They arrived at a regional news station in matching white T‑shirts, and their driver is one of the film’s producers. Stops have included Deao’s renovated 185‑year‑old barn and Meeks’ uncle’s garage, where props from the movie are stored. The group also makes a point of sampling Ohio’s cuisine, highlighting Hoyo’s Kitchen, a Somali stall in Columbus’ North Market.
Celebrating recovery, not tragedy
While many media portray the opioid crisis with bleak imagery, Poulter says “Union County” aims to celebrate the people and the natural beauty of the region. He notes the film offers a “counternarrative” to the usual focus on devastation, emphasizing dignity, hope and the possibility of lasting recovery.
Deao supplies the on‑the‑road snacks – mandarin oranges, mangoes and coconut‑covered almonds – while Meeks curates the playlist, even adding Ohio‑born rapper Afroman. Poulter contributes sugar‑free energy drinks, which Deao humorously disapproves of, prompting Meeks to joke, “Will’s a bad influence.”
Community response
Screenings at the Gateway Film Center in Columbus and The Nightlight in Akron have drawn enthusiastic local audiences. Viewers have praised the film’s honest portrayal of the recovery court, noting the generosity of participants who volunteered to appear on camera. Deao, who has worked in the drug‑court program for more than two decades, says the positive reception validates the film’s approach.
“Everyone has been so generous and encouraging that we got it right,” Deao said after a recent showing. “I haven’t felt we missed anything or presented it incorrectly.” The team also reports that the experience has been personally healing, with Deao noting she hasn’t laughed this much in years.
Origins of the project
Meeks first returned to his hometown in 2017 and was struck by how pervasive addiction was in his community. A chance meeting with a judge at the adult recovery court sparked his interest, leading to a partnership with Deao, who has been a fixture of the program for over 20 years. Their collaboration eventually produced a short film that expanded into the feature‑length “Union County.”
By touring the state, the filmmakers hope to raise awareness of Ohio’s recovery resources and inspire other communities to support similar initiatives. The tour continues with additional screenings planned at independent venues throughout the region.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
