Maine-made Feature Film "The Ghost Trap" Drew Large Audiences Statewide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 18, 2024
Contact:
Steve Lyons
Director, Maine Film Office
[email protected]; 207-624-9815

AUGUSTA, Maine — A new Maine-filmed drama proved to be a major draw at theaters across the state. "The Ghost Trap," based on the novel by Midcoast author K. Stephens, tells the story of a young lobsterman who is forced to choose between right and wrong after a tragic accident.

Shot mostly in Maine, the movie was filmed over 16 days in the summer of 2022, and employed 21 Maine residents as cast and crew members. Director James Khanlarian credits the local community's support for the project's success.

“Filming in Maine was a dream, simply because of the people. We came to Maine and found enthusiasm and friendliness. People wanted to help out any way they could and were excited to be a part of something. That sort of thing doesn’t happen in Los Angeles or New York or even Georgia,” said Khanlarian. “It’s really beautiful for people to come together to support a large artistic project like this, and yes we paid people, but you can’t pay people to have that positive attitude. The novelist, K. Stephens had lobstermen friends who wanted to help support the film like Cheri Savage, Ryan Post, and Dan Merriam. I keep saying we could never have made this movie without the support of Mainers. It’s true, and that’s why we gave them the dedication on the credit roll at the end of the film.”

“The local community rallied around the film because the characters felt authentic and it shows off the beautiful scenery in Maine that can’t be duplicated. We’re confident that projects like this help set the stage for future films to be shot in the state,” stated co-producers Cheri Savage and Ryan Post.

The film has seen strong attendance, particularly at The Strand Theater in Rockland and Belfast's Colonial Theatre, where nearly 100 viewers attended each of the first three screenings.

“Theatre management has been absolutely floored by our patrons' consistent attendance for “tThe Ghost Trap” at the Colonial,” said Kyle Walton, executive director of the Colonial Theatre. “To date, moviegoers have come in droves–and from as far as York County–to downtown Belfast so they could see the film!”

Maine Film Office Director Steve Lyons noted the production's impact: "Seeing Maine on the big screen instills a sense of pride, particularly because lobstering is such an important part of our state's identity. In addition to featuring Maine’s scenic beauty, the production spent more than $700,000 in the state, benefiting our local economy."

The film features Zak Steiner ("White Men Can't Jump," "Euphoria"), Greer Grammer ("Awkward," "Deadly Illusions"), Sarah Catherine Hook ("First Kill," "The White Lotus"), and Steven Ogg ("The Walking Dead," "Westworld").

"The Ghost Trap" has played to sold-out festival audiences at the Maine International Film Festival, Vacationland, and Maine Outdoor Film Festival, where it was an official 2024 selection. The film is now available through streaming services and to rent or own on all digital platforms and DVD. Click here to view the trailer.