Local filmmakers unveiling sneak peek screening of ‘Peaks and Valleys’ at Glenn Massay April 1

PALMER — After three years of production, “Peaks and Valleys” an independent film made in the Mat-Su Valley, is set for a sneak peek screening on April 1 at the Glenn Massay Theater. Directed by Michael Burns and written by Michael B. Dillon, this gritty tale of survival follows the relationship of an unlikely pair set in rural Alaska.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without Alaska being behind us, without volunteers and businesses and the community. We figured Alaska deserves to see it first,” Dillon said.

Burns said that this will be the first chance for anyone to view the film before they premiere it officially and take it on the festival circuit across the U.S.

The story focuses heavily on its two main protagonists, Jack and Bailey. Dillon said it’s about how their “rocky” relationship unfolds and develops over the span of the film. Jack is an old, crotchety homesteader who lives in his Alaskan cabin to isolate himself from everyone.

A plane flies over his cabin and dumps a trash bag into a nearby lake. The bag thrashes in the water as if something is inside so Jack investigates in his boat and discovers Bailey, a young woman who is naked and all beaten up.

“Now they’re stuck out there in his cabin as winter starts moving in. He’s not a very nice guy and she comes from a very sketchy past; and they have to depend on each other to survive,” Dillon said.

Burns said that he knew he wanted to work with Kevin T. Bennett (who plays Jack). Bennett has appeared in a number of films including some A-List movies filmed in Alaska such as “The Frozen Ground” and “Big Miracle,” according to the actor’s IMDB page.

Burns said that he auditioned quite a few women from Anchorage and the Valley for the role of Bailey. They ultimately went with Kitty Mahoney of Wasilla because of her impressive audition. Dillon said that Mahoney had him, “in tears.”

“I knew both of them within the film community. I just hadn’t worked with either of one. I really liked Kevin’s work and I really liked Kitty’s work but when she auditioned I liked it even more because she just blew us away,” Burns said.

There are other characters that appear in the film, but the screen-time revolves around Jack and Bailey, according to Burns. He said that it’s a small cast with a small crew that was filmed in a handful of locations, particularly in Meadow Lakes for the cabin scenes.

“It was actually constructed very well to be minimalistic,” Burns said.

The sneak peek screening of Peaks and Valleys will be on April 1 at the Glenn Massay Theater. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a meet and greet session with the cast and crew. Screening begins at 7 p.m.

Admission is $12 and tickets can be purchased at the door or online at glennmassaytheater.com.

All proceeds from this screening will directly fund travel expenses required for their upcoming festival tour. Donations are also being collected on the film’s GoFundMe page at: www.gofundme.com/peaks-amp-valleys-film-festival-tour.

“It’s one of those movies where you think you know what’s going on for all of it then in the last like 10 minutes we completely blow your mind,” Dillon said.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com