Pocono News Section

Major Film Produced By Local Men Premieres

Major Film Produced By Local Men Premieres - Friday, March 21, 2008 at 5:39PM EST

Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Friday, Mar 21, 2008 @05:39pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY --The glare of Hollywood lights -- is right on northeastern Pennsylvania as the movie "Bonneville" opens in our region. It features two-academy award winning actresses and is getting local attention because two of the producers -are from our area.

Bonneville stars Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, and Joan Allen as three dear friends on a trip of a lifetime. Producing this feature film is a dream of lifetime for Lackawanna County-native John Kilker.

John Kilker/producer, "Bonneville"
"It was like bam. Light bulb goes off. Whatever I do I'm going to get into film."

The epiphany came upon his graduation from the University of Scranton. After film school, he lived in LA for ten years and has spent the past five producing Bonneville. Working with the three Hollywood legends was an experience he fully enjoyed.
"All three of them were completely excited to work together so when they showed up on set it was like overwhelming. They were rah-rah. They were cheerleaders themselves."

The film follows their trip to Santa Barbara to deliver the ashes of one woman's late husband to a resentful daughter. Bonneville's playing in twenty cities right now --and premieres Friday night in Wilkes-Barre and Moosic.

"Almost everyone who sees Bonneville enjoys the heck out of Bonneville. Because Bonneville is a classic Hollywood story that will make you feel great."

Kilker moved back to Lackawanna County and plans to continue making films in a place he loves. “Having come home I feel more creative there. I can do this from there. I would rather contribute here than anywhere else."

Bonneville will premier Friday night at Movie 14 in downtown Wilkes-Barre and the Cinemark in Moosic at 7:15 p.m.

To see the Bonneville trailer go to