UNION COUNTY: Preview Screening and Q&A at Coolidge Corner
Union County is an emotional portrait of rural Union County, Ohio, and Cody Parsons (Will Poulter) as he navigates a court-mandated drug rehabilitation program during the ongoing opioid epidemic. As Cody and his brother Jack (Noah Centineo) go through the steps, they are forced to confront the realities of being sober, what it means to be family, and how addiction affects those around them.
Written and directed by filmmaker Adam Meeks, who was raised in Ohio, the film was shot concurrently with real drug court sessions in Union County, Ohio. This creates an honest and compassionate depiction of addiction, rehabilitation, pain, and the optimism and accountability this program can bring to people struggling. Poulter and Centineo blend seamlessly into these real stories and people who make up the supporting cast, with standout star Annette Deao, who is a caseworker and therapist in the area for the last 39 years. All of this attention to detail gives this film its authenticity and documentary-like realism that captures audiences and shows the hard-hitting pervasiveness of addiction.
Coolidge Corner Theatre debuted Union County with an early screening and Q&A with Will Poulter and filmmaker Adam Meeks on the evening of September 15th, with regular viewing starting September 18th. Meeks talked about what this story meant to him, growing up in Ohio around the onset of the opioid epidemic. He also touched on visual references for this film, including 1960s classic New York art styles and using seasons to show emotional growth in his characters. He spoke highly of the non-professional actors that helped create so much realism in this story. Meeks discussed his tactic of setting up cameras in the courtroom and having Poulter and Centineo go through the motions alongside people in recovery. Poulter spoke about his acting methods and how his own struggles with mental health helped him understand and get into this character.
Meeks’ collaborative film with the people of Union County, Ohio is a poignant story that focuses on the hope of rehabilitation instead of the devastation of addiction. Union County will be playing exclusively at Coolidge Corner Theatre from September 18th to 24th.
