Filmmakers shoot in Youngstown; evoke sentiments of war near and far

By Elise Franco

YOUNGSTOWN — Life in this city is a struggle. It’s raw and gritty, and people are at war with themselves every day.

That’s what directors Pirooz Kalayeh and Thomas Henwood are trying to capture most in their adaptation of local author Noah Cicero’s novel “The Human War.” The plot revolves around the life of Youngstown teen Mark Swift leading up to and immediately after the start of the war in Iraq.

Kalayeh, co-producer and co-director for Sangha Films in Brooklyn, N.Y., said that after he read Cicero’s novel, he knew he wanted to make a movie. More than a year later, that movie is being filmed in and near the city.

“It’s like a day in the life on a macro level,” Kalayeh said. “It’s about what we as human beings go through. ... There’s a war in Iraq, but there’s also a war right here in Youngstown, and a war within you and me.”

He said filming in Youngstown was a must, to stay true to the book.

“It’s awesome here. It feels real,” Kalayeh said. “That’s one of the things that attracted me. ... Where else can I go to a bar and talk to a state senator and a barista and they treat me just the same?”

Cicero, 29, of Hubbard, said he wants people to see the characters and places in the book come to life, and the only way to do that was to film the movie locally.

“It’s important because I really wanted it to be like a part of America people don’t see,” he said. “It’s a unique version of America.”

Cicero said not only does filming in Youngstown authenticate the movie, but it brings money into the area.

“It’s just the coolest thing in the world,” he said.

Many scenes were shot at local landmarks such as The Royal Oaks, Plaza Donuts, The Yankee Kitchen and Youngstown State University, Kalayeh said.

“I don’t think this could have happened in LA or New York City,” he said. “We are able to paint Youngstown as it is — the good and the bad — and still stay true to the characters.”

Kalayeh said the original budget was around $500,000, but the economy caused Henwood and him to downsize the shoot to about $50,000.

The cast began shooting Nov. 29, and Kalayeh said they should finish just before Christmas.

“Tom and I are taking no salary. Half the cast and crew are taking no salary,” Kalayeh said. “It’s just great material and great people.”

Keith McAleer, 26, of Cortland is one of several locals cast in the movie. He said he plays the role of Mark Swift’s friend Jimmy.

“It’s been a great opportunity, and it’s going to open up a lot of doors for future production in this town,” McAleer said. “I see more films coming to Youngstown because of the niceness of the people.”

Even James Roehl, 22, of Los Angeles, who plays main character Swift, said he was impressed with the area.

“This experience has been fantastic and really eye-opening,” he said. “The town has really got a lot of heart and soul, and the people here are worried more about survival than superficial things.”

efranco@vindy.com