The movie version of the popular novel “Big Stone Gap” will open in theaters on Friday, October 9. The film was shot entirely on location in Virginia.
Celebrated Virginia author Adriana Trigiani returned to her hometown of Big Stone Gap to direct the film for which she wrote the original screenplay. The all-star cast is led by Ashley Judd and features Patrick Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg, John Benjamin Hickey, Jane Krakowski, Anthony LaPaglia and Jenna Elfman. Patrick Wilson is a Virginia native who returned to his Big Stone Gap roots to make the movie.
“The fact that Big Stone Gap was conceived and produced by a native of rural Virginia is a testament to the unmatched talent in every part of the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “In addition to its success at the box office, the promise of this film is to entice visitors from around the country and the world to Big Stone Gap and Southwest Virginia to stay in our beautiful towns, patronize our local businesses and experience the incredible outdoor recreation.”
“This movie is a love letter to my hometown and the special place it will always hold in my heart” Adriana Trigiani said. “I am fortunate that I grew up in such glorious surroundings, in the midst of great natural beauty and extraordinarily memorable people, and I am delighted to celebrate this cherished time and place.”
Big Stone Gap Town Manager Pat Murphy stated, “Big Stone Gap is a story about a real place that still exists today. Visitors can tour the locations featured in the story and can immerse themselves in the world of small town living that Adriana so lovingly brings to life in her books and on film.
The Movie is a heartwarming tale of family secrets and self-discovery in a tiny mountain town during the late 1970s. Shot entirely on location in the real Big Stone Gap, Trigiani’s hometown, the film captures the joys, the tribulations and the rewards of life in the Appalachian Mountains.
The story revolves around self-proclaimed spinster Ava Marie Mulligan (Ashley Judd) who runs the town pharmacy and directs the Trail of the Lonesome Pine Outdoor Drama, but just as Ave Maria has resigned herself to life as an “old maid,” she is caught off guard by a family secret, an unexpected marriage proposal and a once-in-a-lifetime visit to Big Stone Gap by movie legend Elizabeth Taylor.
The town of Big Stone Gap will be hosting a celebration in honor of the release of the movie on Saturday, October 10. Events will include a pancake breakfast, 5K race, parade, a reunion for the local extras in the film and a ticketed reception held at the John Fox House. The day will conclude with a red carpet block party on Wood Avenue, featuring stars from the film, followed by a street dance with a DJ playing music from 1970s.
The film industry in Virginia plays a significant role in the Commonwealth’s economy. In 2013, total economic impact of film and television production in Virginia was $383 million with 3,396 jobs attributable to the industry.
Learn More at: www.facebook.com/BigStoneGapMovie
