Horror Movie With Anti-Bully Message

Bullying, depression and the supernatural are all parts of the newest film from the anti-bullying film and school workshop program The Broken Toy Project.

The new production, "Empty Shadows" was created through a grant from the St. Nicholas Parish of Zanesville. The film joins five other anti-bullying productions produced by The Broken Toy Project since 1991. The film tells the story of an orphan teenage girl experiencing depression brought about by school torment and the recent loss of her family in a hotel fire. The story also deals with the eerie presence of a strange red-haired girl and a doll.

In addition to a large group of school children ranging in age from 9 to 17, "Empty Shadows" also features Marilyn Eastman and Karl Hardman, best-known for their roles as Helen and Harry Cooper in the George A. Romero 1968 horror film "Night of the Living Dead." Eastman and Hardman play the orphaned Naomi's grandparents. Brown said they were very professional.

"She's almost 70 and he's in his early 80s," Brown sad. "They weren't arrogant, everyone got along with them. They were very dedicated to the project."

Brown hopes that the supernatural aspect of the film will draw in teenage audiences, which are known to be fickle. He does, however, want people to know that there is a very important message in the film.

"I know there are going to be some people with their eyebrows up to the ceiling," Brown said, regarding the supernatural aspects. "The actual scary elements tie into the story, they're not just there to play games with kids. They tie in."

Source: Coshocton Tribune