Imagine the Mississippi Delta right around the Civil War. Plantations are scattered throughout the region, but times of prosperity aren’t what they were before. Decisions were made, and since it was the time of slavery, these decisions not only impacted the families who owned the plantations, but the families who worked on the plantations. Back in that time, many of the plantation owners didn’t care who was impacted by a decision. But, there were some who did care who was impacted. To some of the plantation owners, slaves were not only workers, but people.
That’s the setting for ‘Beyond the Forest,’ a new film that is in post-production.
Two well-known people in the world of showbusiness with strong Jones County ties have teamed up with a movie producer from Mississippi to promote the new film.
Best known as Eb Dawson in “Green Acres,” Tom Lester has starred and appeared in dozens of television programs and movies. In “Beyond the Forest,” Lester plays a plantation owner who faces the decision of losing a crop or separating a family. When the father of two children dies, Lester’s character loses a worker on his plantation. There are the two children, but he has the chance to trade one of them for someone a little older who can work the crops.
“He needed a strong gentleman slave or he’s going to lose his crop,” Lester said of his character. “It would mean her brother being traded and it would be a sad situation, but it’s either that or lose the crop.”
The film features the first several minutes of the story. During the portion that has already been produced, the children learn of the plans.
“They run away so they won’t be traded,” Lester said. “It’s really a neat story.”
Deborah Ford, who plays the character of Mrs. Alexander, the plantation owner’s wife, is not from Jones County, but married into the area. Her husband’s family is throughout the area, and she returns to Laurel from the couple’s home in Florida quite often. Ford is a look-alike for several actresses, including Carrie-Anne Moss, or Trinity in “The Matrix.”
Ford said the children’s story in the film is very similar to a “Huck Finn” situation.
“They had always heard things are better down the river,” she said. “In the film, I am the one who makes the decision of breaking the kids up. That was real life then. It was survival for everybody.”
When the film ends, Ford said, the children are barely into their journey.
“It’s kind of a soap opera ending. They leave you wondering what happens,” Ford said.
Jamie and Heather Mathews are the writer/director and producer of the film. The film was shot in Delta areas of Mississippi, and is currently in post-production. Lester and Ford each said they’ll make sure to help the film gain the attention it needs to grow into a full motion picture.
“He’s just decided he wanted to make this movie, and it’s real good,” Lester said. “See if anybody likes the story and agree to put up the money.”
Both also said they thoroughly enjoyed working on “Beyond the Forest.”
“It was really fun,” Lester said. “We had a really good time.”
Ford, who also said she had a great time in filming, said the biggest thing she had to get used to was the clothing.
“Women wear slacks so much we sit so differently,” Ford said. “The hoop skirt went over my head!”
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Related Photos
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Photo/submitted - Playing Mr. and Mrs. Alexander in ‘Beyond the Forest,’ Tom Lester and Deborah Ford each have strong ties to Jones County.
Lester, Ford promote new film
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