MANSFIELD — Blu Angel has grown up in a house with a mother who deals drugs. The teenager feels her mom cares more about money than her own children.
The fictional story takes place in Chicago, but the movie was filmed, produced and premiered in Mansfield.
Mansfield native Brandi Johnson authored the novel “Powder Blu” in 2014, published by Urban Books. She has written six books and one short story. This was the first of her works to be adapted into a film.
On April 12, Johnson welcomed friends and family from across the Midwest and as far as Florida and Oklahoma to the Mansfield Playhouse for the sold-out movie premiere of “Powder Blu.”
“I’d received multiple reviews from my readers saying this book should be a movie, and I’m new to that scene,” Johnson said. “I had somebody write the screenplay and I didn’t have a huge budget, so I had asked my friends and family to connect me with people who could act.”
The story follows 16-year-old Blu as she navigates friendship, loyalty, money and love in Chicago’s south side.
“This young girl’s mother was too busy to love her the right way,” Johnson said. “She looked for love in different men and drugs — trying to live the fast life. Then she has to decide between when she feels true love and the love of money.
“All of my books feature women overcoming hardship.”
The movie is not yet rated, but Johnson said she would personally rate it R for mature themes and language. The movie’s runtime is 2 hours and 15 minutes.
The author and producer said cast members hailed from Mansfield, Columbus, Cleveland and Akron. They were filming most weekends from July to October 2023.
“We only filmed in Mansfield,” she said. “3rd Cup Tea, Mansfield Nutrition, Martini’s, Braintree, The Clubhouse, some of my friends’ houses — it was all in the city.”
The main cast is Rayana King as Blu, George Swarn as Budz, Nantambi as Black and Ron L. Haynes as Mr. Davenport.
“The woman who plays Blu, Rayana, is best friends with my two nieces in Columbus,” Johnson said.
“Nantambu, who plays Black, is my best friend out of Cleveland. So it felt like everyone knew everybody, and that really made a great camaraderie.
“We had long days and longer nights. But we all became one big family.”
Kirst’s Rominus James Productions directs, edits Powder Blu
David Kirst was the producer/ director and editor, with Cynthia P. Carr as assistant director.
“It’s been a long time coming making this movie,” Johnson said. “At the beginning, it felt like everyone I was coming in contact with was falling through.
“Then, I went to Braintree and got connected with David Kirst. After our first meeting, I thought this guy talks too much — but he really knows his stuff and I just had to be humbled. I will always give David his flowers because he’s great to work with.”
Kirst owns Rominus James Productions, where he has worked on movies including “Escape from Death Block 13,” “The Final Contestant,” and the upcoming “A Mouthful of Knuckles.”
He said Mansfield has hosted filmmakers from every genre to shoot locally.
“A lot of people think of horror or suspense first, but we have the resources for all of it,” he said.
“I hand everyone I bring here to film a ‘film bible,’ and at the end of the contract, it says they can only spend their money at locally owned businesses. We’ve got a list of different businesses that can provide whatever they need — tools, wood, shelter, food — you name it, at a discount.”
Kirst said Ohio Department of Development film tax credits have also helped gain the confidence of more investors and build the film industry in Mansfield.
“For Powder Blu, we had first-time actors, first-time everything on the set,” he said. “So we had to be really creative to get certain shots and work together. We were able to get a really great quality movie out of it.”
The premiere April 12 included a blue carpet instead of a red carpet in honor of the story’s namesake.
“The crowd was very receptive during the whole movie and we had a lot of great reviews,” Kirst said.
Kirst said he and Johnson have discussions planned for getting the movie on streaming services and DVDs in the future.
Johnson said many readers are asking for a sequel to “Powder Blu.”
“I got asked that question so many times at the premiere,” she said. “It’s heavy on my mind, definitely something I’m thinking about.
“I personally went through a lot to get this movie made, but I’m very proud and so grateful it came out the way it did.”