Premiere set for 'Swan Song'

SANDUSKY — A movie about Sandusky, filmed in the city and directed by a hometown man will premiere next month in Austin, Texas. Todd Stephens, who wrote and created the unreleased picture "Swan Song," recently learned his movie should make its long-awaited debut at South by Southwest. This year's virtual festival takes place March 16-20. Often referred to as SXSW, the festival garners worldwide attention, which celebrates the convergence of interactive media, film and music. "We are honored and overjoyed," said Stephens, a city native and a 1985 graduate of Sandusky High School. Today he resides in New York City. "SXSW is one of the top film festivals in the nation," Stephens said. "It's the perfect platform to showcase 'Swan Song' and, hopefully, help us find a fabulous distributor." Ideally, Stephens wants to partner with a major movie studio for a theatrical release or streaming service, like Netflix, where people can watch on their personal devices. He needed $75,000, met through a fundraising campaign, to put together "Swan Song." Anyone, however, can watch the film's first screening. People can search the South by Southwest website for viewing information. "I am so excited for everyone to see all the Sandusky locations," said Stephens, who also directed independent films "Edge of Seventeen" and "Gypsy 83." "Almost every shot was filmed within the city limits," said Stephens, noting filming for "Swan Song" took place in 2019. "And I'm so thankful to have been able to shoot in the (Sandusky) State Theatre before the storm. It has an unforgettable cameo." Chris Parthemore, the state theater's executive director, is particularly excited to see that scene. "It was a great experience to see a film like 'Swan Song' filmed in Sandusky and feature the state theater," said Parthemore, who also serves as the film's associate producer. "Attracting a feature film is another testament to the progress the city has seen in the past few years." Film tagline Based in Sandusky during the 1970s, "Swan Song" follows a flamboyant hairdresser who comes out of retirement to examine his life and the city where he lives. For one last time, he's called on to provide his services to a local socialite who's died.