Western Movie ‘The Wilderness Road’ Features Local Man

“The Wilderness Road,” a western thriller telling the story of the Harpes, is set to premiere at Hempstead Hall on the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana Hope campus on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 7:00 pm.

What was originally scheduled as a movie premiere only has turned into a benefit event for one of the stars of the film, Daulton Brewer, who recently passed away. “We were excited to work with Daulton to arrange this unique event,” said Amanda Lance, director of Hempstead Hall and Workforce Development for UAHT. “After he passed away suddenly this year, we knew we had to make this event happen any way we could.”Damon Burks, a producer for the film, reached out to the Hempstead Hall team and continued the planning where Brewer had left off. “Daulton, who plays Big Harpe in the movie, sadly passed away recently. He was wonderful to know and work with. We hope this screen honors his talent and hard work,” said Burks on the event’s Facebook page.

Katherine Daniels, the technical director at Hempstead Hall and amateur filmmaker, is “thrilled that Hempstead Hall is facilitating this movie premiere. This is a huge networking opportunity for filmmakers in the state, a chance to see local talent displayed in a feature-length film, and will be an all-around enjoyable evening of entertainment.

The Wilderness Road” tells the story of the most notorious land pirates who stalked the Southeast during the turn of the 19th century. Samuel Mason (Creek Wilson), a Revolutionary War hero, turns to a life of crime and forms a dangerous gang of bandits. Big Harpe (Daulton Brewer) and Little Harpe (Travis Mills), considered by some to be America's first serial killers, wreak havoc through the region as they kill without mercy. Soon, these three outlaws will meet along the wilderness road.“Road” is one of 12 feature-length westerns director/producer Travis Mills completed in 2020.

All 12 films are set to be released within 2021.“To me, Daulton was an incredible friend. We met making "The Wilderness Road" and immediately bonded. As Big Harpe and Little Harpe, we spent day after day, scene after scene, side by side. At night, we laughed and drank together. We told stories. We shared the joys, frustrations, and fears of life together. He made every day for me and the team a better day just by being there. And the world is a worse place without him in it,” said Mills.

Tickets are $10 tickets in advance and $15 at the door. Proceeds from this showing will be donated to Daulton's family to help with funeral and medical expenses at gofundme.

More information at Hempstead Hall.