Cassandra Hollis Shooting Historic Film in Ohio

Posted by: Michael

Over a hundred and fifty years ago, the town of Ripley, Ohio was the destination of thousands of runaway slaves who escaped there in hopes of finding refuge and help from abolitionists. Recently, Ripley became the backdrop for a film production that tells the story of a runaway slave who arrives there hoping to start a new life as a free woman and to find her lost love, Johnny. Filmmaker and Actress, Cassandra Hollis wrote, directed and stars in Part I and Part II of this film series that has attracted audiences around the country.

For four days, filming took place in various actual locations in Ripley where slaves escaped such as the John Rankin Home. Rev. John Rankin was a Presbyterian minister and abolitionist who harbored dozens of slaves in his home. Also featured in the film is the home of John Parker. Parker was a runaway slave who settled in Ripley and became a successful businessman. At night he would cross the Ohio River by row boat and bring runaways back with him. It is estimated that he helped between 400 - 2,000 slaves.

Produced by Holy Hill Productions, Part I of "Mattie, Johnny and Smooth White Stones" was selected by the National Park Service Underground Railroad Network To Freedom Program as an authentic portrayal of this part of United States history. The film had a successful West Coast debut at the CFMi Festival in Los Angeles in 2004. Festival Chairperson, Valiant Robinson, said of the film, "It is a must see film. Cassandra gives a riveting performance as Mattie." It was selected from that festival to be screened among the "Best of CFMi" at the 2004 Black Expo in Los Angeles and was also among a select group of short films chosen out of dozens of submissions for the short film competition of the 2004 Gloria International Film Festival in Utah. "Mattie, Johnny and Smooth White Stones" later premiered to a standing room only audience at the APEX Museum in Atlanta

APEX Museum Executive Director, Dan Moore, Sr., said, "It is a moving and powerful drama. This captivating short film, set during the days of slavery, is a compelling story with a superb portrayal by Cassandra Hollis."

“Mattie, Johnny and Smooth White Stones” is a short film that provides a rare look into the personal lives of slaves. Mattie and Johnny are two slaves who are in love and decide to runaway to get married when they secretly learn that Johnny is going to be sold. Their plan goes awry and Mattie has to make the journey alone. In "Mattie, Johnny and Smooth White Stones: Part II", new characters are introduced when Mattie arrives in Ripley and audiences learn whether or not Mattie and Johnny will ever reunite. Filmmaker/Actress, Cassandra Hollis, talked about audiences response to Part I and their repeated requests to see what would happen next.

“This is a classic love story and audiences have responded to that. They want to know if this couple will ever see each other again. The context of the story is that they have found love even in the atrocious conditions of slavery. Clearly Mattie's faith has helped her make the journey to Ohio alone but so many other questions remain. Part II answers many of them.”