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Local film premieres with red carpet event at Portsmouth’s Commodore Theatre

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Lights, Camera, Action! This Thursday, Portsmouth’s Commodore Theatre held a Hollywood-style red carpet event for the premiere of local film, Past Shadows.

“It’s a Christian sci-fi film about an ancient Middle Eastern relic, with the ability to see into the past. It gets unearthed, crossing paths with a university professor and his students, changing their lives forever,” said Director Peter J. Eaton.


The film stars Robert Shepherd, Isaac Bills, Devin Albert, Joel King, Jenn Gotzon, and famed actor Corbin Bernsen.

“It’s was really a great thing how it all worked out. I had been cast in a costarring role for a film of Corbin’s that was shot in Smithfield back in 2018. I was in a pre-production meeting for ‘Past Shadows’ and we said we need a big name for the film. I brought up Corbin Bernsen. I crafted an email to him where I explained our budget and time frame for filming. He actually agreed to do it,” said Robert Shepherd, star of the film.

The film uses Hampton Roads as its backdrop and the majority of the cast and crew are from the 757.

“Yes, all of the film was shot in our area. Even our Middle Eastern scene which I think looks absolutely terrific, was shot in a sand out in Suffolk,” Shepherd added.

The premiere was Thursday, March 4. Doors opened at 6 p.m. with the screening beginning at 7 p.m., with a “Q&A” with Eaton.

For more information on the movie visit the Past Shadows Film Facebook Page.

Living Local Correspondent for WAVY.com, Symone Davis, spoke to the director and star of the film, Robert Shepherd, ahead of the premiere. Watch the full interview in the player above.

She also attended the premiere Thursday night. See her live coverage at this link.