A novel written by longtime Baldwin County author Frank Turner Hollon has been turned into a feature film, which had its world premiere at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival in Austin, Texas.
The movie, titled Barry Munday, is based on Hollon’s novel Life Is a Strange Place. Writer-director Chris D’Arienzo adapted the book for the screen and brought together a cast that includes Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer, Chloe Sevigny, Jean Smart, Malcolm McDowell, Cybill Shepherd and Billy Dee Williams.
What the Film Is About
The story follows Barry Munday, a suburban ladies’ man who wakes up in a hospital after being attacked in a movie theater and discovers he has lost one of his testicles. Before he can fully process the loss, he learns a woman he cannot recall being with is pursuing a paternity claim against him. Facing what may be his only shot at fatherhood, Barry decides to embrace the unexpected turn his life has taken.
SXSW organizers and early reviewers have described the film as an offbeat, character-driven comedy that finds warmth in an absurd premise, anchored by its ensemble cast of veteran and rising actors.
A Baldwin County Author on the Big Screen
Hollon has published multiple novels centered on Southern characters and small-town life, building a following among Alabama readers well before Hollywood took notice. Seeing one of his books adapted into a studio-backed film with a cast of recognizable names marks a significant milestone for the Baldwin County writer, and gives South Alabama a direct tie to one of the year’s more talked-about premieres at SXSW, one of the film industry’s most closely watched festivals for new and independent work.
No local theatrical release date had been announced at the time of the SXSW premiere.