The independent film titled “Saint Michael of the City,” which was shot predominantly in Bucks County, screened at this year’s Garden State Film Festival and starred Warwick native Adam Ratcliffe.
A huge Bruce Springsteen fan, Ratcliffe talked about the excitement of being part of the festival and seeing his film shown in Asbury Park, the shore town inextricably linked to “The Boss.”
“I was on Cloud 9 the whole time,” Ratcliffe said. “Even though it was cold, we ate on the beach at Asbury Avenue and friends and family came from far and wide.”
Directed by Jeffery Stewart, “Saint Michael of the City” follows Ratcliffe's Michael, who returns to his hometown after a seven-year absence only to discover everything has changed.
It stars Ratcliffe, Kevin Interdonato, Brian Anthony Wilson and Jensen Jacobs and includes a part for Ratcliffe’s son, as a younger version of his character.
The film was shot two years ago over a period of 15 days in Doylestown, Hatboro and Trenton, N.J.
“In order to do this the right way and to make a return it was imperative that we as a team were organized and that the plan was well thought out,” said Ratcliffe.
He first heard about the project when Interdonato pitched him the screenplay. Interdonato co-wrote the film with Stewart.
Having raised funds for his own screenplays in the past, Ratcliffe raised money to get “Saint Michael of the City” made.
“When it came to ‘Saint Michael,’ we were very lucky and blessed to have a remarkable script and people who helped fund us because they believed in Kevin and I,” said Ratcliffe. “All the stars aligned with our crew and a really solid director from Trenton...”
Ratcliffe, who attended Central Bucks East High School, has built a substantial resume over the years. He appeared in a few films during his early 20s. In 2019, he played a recovering alcoholic in “Right Before Your Eyes,” a GreenApple Entertainment production for which he received a nomination for Best Actor in the International Independent Christian Film & Music Festival in Orlando Fla.
Ratcliffe states that he is more of a TV actor and had his first guest-starring role in a Law & Order episode back in 2005. He’s also made appearances on Bluebloods, Manhunt and Invasion.
The world premiere of “Saint Michael of the City” came in April and the film has now been released to Amazon, Vudu and Tubi worldwide. It also screened in April’s Julien Dubuque International Film Festival in Iowa.
“Saint Michael of the City” is described as a ‘90s throwback of “State of Grace” meets “The Town.”
Ratcliffe said he has enjoyed the chance to participate in the festivals, look back on a job well done and “to celebrate with the director and cast and crew who did tremendous work as well.”
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