A story of mystery, murder and revenge will come to life tonight at the premier of “Hard Vengeance,” a short film packed with action and filled with locals.

The film was written by Carl Robertson, 22, of St. Martinville. The lead actor Brian Crutchfield, 23, is from Jeanerette and supporting actor Lee McGee, 62, is also of Jeanerette.

Other cast members included Jennie Cornelius of Crowley, Jeff Pearson of Lafayette, and Danny Burleigh of Lafayette. Brian Richard, of Breaux Bridge, produced and directed the movie.

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While enrolled at South Louisiana Community College in the film program, Robertson was approached by schoolmate Richard to write the script. Richard said he wanted to push the limits of what students had done with film making and knew that Robertson was a great writer.

“We were out to prove that students can make quality movies,” said Richard.

It only took Robertson one week to write the story about a young man seeking revenge for his girlfriend’s death. Robertson has film experience from his work on the movie Glory Road, which was partially shot in Louisiana, as an assistant set designer and on the mini-series Elvis, for which he helped place and direct extras.

Robertson and Richard are working on another untitled film and may look into shooting in the near future.

A graduate of St. Martinville Senior High, Robertson plans to attend the University of California-Los Angles, where he will study to become a film director.

“Writing and directing are better than being in front of the camera, because you get to be more creative,” said Robertson.

The group has submitted the film to the Sundance Film Festival and the Australian International Film Festiva. They are eagerly awaiting a response.

“Sundance receives about 7,000 films, but they only accept 60. That’s how competitive it is,” said Richard.

Richard is scheduled to begin classes in the Advanced Film Studies Program at Sydney International Film School in Sydney, Australia, in March 2007.

Crutchfield assisted in the set’s production design and location selection, in addition to strengthening his acting skills in the role of the angry boyfriend.

“My heart is involved in acting, but I enjoy being involved in any way possible,” said Crutchfield. “I will say that I am completely intimidated by the technical side of the film-making business.”

Crutchfield was born and raised in Jeanerette and is a graduate of Hanson Memorial High School in Franklin. He has an associate’s degree in general studies with a concentration in digital studies from SLCC.

Crutchfield said he has big plans for his acting career but also intends to study physical therapy at Our Lady of the Lake College in Baton Rouge as a safety net.

Not only will Hard Vengeance showcase the talent of young locals but also those young at heart. McGee said he has never acted before but accepted the offer to portray the movie’s culprit as a favor to his daughter. McGee’s daughter and Richard attended the same high school.

“I play an old mobbed up bad guy,” said McGee. “I guess they wanted me, because I look sufficiently menacing.”

McGee attended Jeanerette Senior High. He later graduated from the former University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in horticulture and worked as an agricultural consultant until his retirement. McGee said he has known Richard for most of his life, and he is happy to see him doing well.

The film will premier tonight at the Celebrity Theatre in Broussard. There will be an 8 p.m. screening for media and another at 8:45 p.m. open to the public. Due to adult language and violence, it is not recommended for children.