Culture
OU Alumnus’ “OJ: The Musical” Opens Athens International Film Festival
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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An Ohio University alumnus’ mockumentary film about a theater company that produces a musical about O.J. Simpson will be the opening film at the Athens International Film and Video Festival on April 11.
Jeff Rosenberg, originally from Shaker Heights, graduated from OU in 2004 with a BFA in playwriting. He has since pursued a career as a filmmaker and has included many friends from his days at OU in his latest feature film OJ: The Musical.
Rosenberg said he came up with the idea for the film while he was a student at OU. He said he began writing the screenplay in his dormitory room. The lead actor in the film, Jordan Kenneth Kamp, and many other members of the film’s cast and crew are also Ohio University alumni.
According to Rosenberg, he started filming the move two years ago in Los Angeles. He said some of the movie was filmed in New York and Orrville, Ohio. Orrville is Kamp’s hometown and his grandmother was cast to play his grandmother on screen.
The Athens International Film and Video Festival will show OJ: The Musical on April 11 at 7 p.m. at the Athena Cinema. But this won’t be the first film festival where the movie has been featured.
Rosenberg said the film premiered at the Traverse City Film Festival in Michigan, which was founded by famed filmmaker Michael Moore.
Rosenberg said OJ: The Musical received high acclaim from Moore who said it was a film that Moore wished he had made.
While the film has been shown at several festivals, Rosenberg said he’s excited it is coming to Athens.
“I hold a special place in my heart for Athens,” he said.
For information about OJ: The Musical, visit orenthalthemusical.com.
Founded in 1974, the Athens International Film and Video Festival will be held April 11-17 at the Athena Cinema. For information, visit athensfilmfest.org.