FilmDayton’s Small Role In Monica

As the Dayton Film Commissioner, our job at FilmDayton is to help films get made here.  We’ll get the call when a production team needs assistance, often with locations.In June of 2021 we got one of those calls from a location scout on behalf of Varient Entertainment LLC. about a movie that would be filming in the area and needed assistance securing locations and coverage from the local sheriffs office for some street scenes.

In August of 2021 Variant used a room at the Red Horse Motel on Dixie Drive and some county roads in the Moraine area, specifically Diamond Mill Rd,  Manning and Weaver Roads to film scenes for the movie.

While the majority of this project was filmed in Cincinnati, getting several scenes filmed in the Dayton area is always a win, as we are able to show the cast and crew our local hospitality. Speaking of local, several locals were hired to work on this film   The Moraine Fire Department also worked with the production team, offering them space for hair and make up for the actors.

Another Dayton connection for this film, the co-star of the film, Trace Lysette, grew up in Dayton, running track athlete at Colonel White High School.  In an interview with Dayton Daily News, she recalled seeing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at The Neon as a teenager.

The film had its world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival on September 3, 2022, Monica opens at The Neon today,  Friday May 19th  and the  screening at 7:15 will feature a special conversation with the lead actress!  The film synopsis is “a woman returns home to care for her ailing mother who she hasn’t seen in years in this tender portrait of family, forgiveness, and acceptance.”