The film is based on a 1970s play written by Waverly, Iowa playwright Earlene Hawley, and Curtis Heeter. Hawley's play was performed on the stage in Eugene, Oregon where it received good notices. Earlene and her husband Kent contacted the Rundles about writing a screenplay based on the play, and then to produce the film. The screenplay and film project took nearly eight years to complete.
"It takes so many generous supporters and people to make a feature-length film," said director Kelly Rundle. "It is an understatement to say how grateful we are to the many who contributed to the film project, offered words of encouragement, volunteered props, to be extras, to take photographs, to help with costumes and hair, provided access to incredible historic sites and assisted with film shoots, and those who stayed long hours to help out without complaint. It is overwhelming to consider how many people believed in the project and wanted to help bring this little-known and timely true story back to public awareness."
“Sons & Daughters of Thunder” tells the true story of the nation’s first public anti-slavery debates in 1834 at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. The controversial and shocking oratory led by abolitionist and firebrand Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Jessica Taylor) to the horrors of slavery and later inspired the writing of her famous best-selling novel “Uncle Tom's Cabin”. This forgotten story was a prelude to America’s Civil War.
The film features cinematography by award-winning director of photography Kevin Railsback. Award-winning actress Kimberly Kurtenbach who starred in the movie as Catharine Beecher, served as Executive Producer and cast the movie. Costumer Emily Busha was the wardrobe director on the project. Emmy-nominated composer William Campbell scored the film.
The docudrama stars dozens of award-winning and acclaimed actors from the region, Chicago and Los Angeles, and was made possible by an outstanding crew from Iowa and Illinois.
"Sons & Daughters of Thunder" premiered at the Putnam National Geographic Giant Screen in Davenport, Iowa in March 2019 and has screened at a number of film festivals, inlcuding the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival in Cincinnati where it received the Harriet Beecher Stowe “Power of Voice” Award. The film won seven Iowa Motion Picture Awards; and three 2020 Mid-America Emmy nominations: for Best Arts/Entertainment Program/Special, Best Original Music Score by William Campbell (of Davenport, Iowa), and Screenplay Writing.
“We are truly honored that “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” will screen at the Cedar Rapids Independent Film Festival,” said producer Tammy Rundle. “It is a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to playwright Earlene Hawley and her exceptional play, and to honor the memory of co-producer Kent Hawley who was a passionate advocate for his wife's work, the screenplay, and the movie. We wish they were here to see the film on the big screen April 2.”
Several of the Rundles’ documentaries have received awards from CRIFF over the years, including “Villisca: Living with a Mystery”, “Lost Nation: The Ioway”, “Country School: One Room – One Nation”, “River to River: Iowa’s Forgotten Highway 6”, “The Barn Raisers”, “Letters Home to Hero Street”, and “The Amish Incident”.
“Sons & Daughters of Thunder” was partially funded by grants from the Quad City Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. For more information about the film, visit www.LaneRebelsMovie.com.
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