The premiere of Then There Was Joe -- written, produced, directed, co-edited and co-starring Little Rock native Justin Warren -- was a standing-room only sellout, thanks to a host of family, friends, fans and associates who gathered Feb. 3 at the Central Arkansas Library System's Ron Robinson Theater. The film was the first to be showcased by the Arkansas Cinema Society's new Homegrown Film Series.
Greeted by Warren's parents, Judge Joyce Williams Warren and cast member James "Butch" Warren, attendees also had a chance before the showing to meet, greet and pose for photos with the filmmaker, co-star and Chicago comedian Ray Grady, actor T. Dion Burns, director of photography Charles Leisenring and other members of the movie's cast and crew.
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The crowd then moved to the auditorium for a welcome by Matt DeCample of the society, who gave a bit of information about the organization. Warren introduced Then There Was Joe, a comedy based on his family and in which he plays a law student whose bar-exam studies are disrupted when he's tasked with watching out for his criminal older brother (Grady), under house arrest and awaiting trial for robbery.
The appreciative viewers afforded the movie, and its maker, standing ovations. After the showing, Warren, Grady, Burns and Charles Leisenring took the stage for a panel discussion moderated by DeCample. The evening ended with an after-party at nearby Stickyz.
A product of Hendrix College at Conway, Warren wrote the movie a year after graduation from the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. More information, as well as a chance to order the film, is at ThenThereWasJoe.com.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 02/11/2018