Lights, Camera, Oskaloosa - Italian/American Director Brings International Film Project to Iowa

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2024

Lights, Camera, Oskaloosa

Italian/American Director Brings International Film Project to Iowa

OSKALOOSA, Iowa — For Italian/American filmmaker Max Leonida, Iowa is more than just a shooting location for his upcoming movie, “Winter Harvest” is a chance to revive the state’s reputation as a place for filmmaking. 

“When I saw Oskaloosa, I saw a land of opportunity,” said Leonida, Film Artist-in-Residence at William Penn University. “After ten years in Los Angeles, I knew the same movie here would cost a fraction of what it would there. But it’s not just about cost — it’s about potential.”

Leonida’s film, based on the real-life kidnapping of American General James Dozier by the Italian terrorist group Brigate Rosse (Red Brigades) in the early 1980s, is set to film across multiple locations in Iowa and Italy. The project offers an opportunity to tap into local talent and involve students from William Penn University in the production process.

“Living one day on a real set is like one year of university condensed in a few hours,” Leonida said. “I have some of my students on the set, and they’re working alongside professionals with decades of experience. It’s an opportunity you just don’t get every day.” 

One of those students, Brooke Richardson, will even travel to Italy with the production team. “She’s not just going to be on set here in Oskaloosa,” Leonida noted. “She’s flying with us to Italy for four weeks as a production assistant. How many students, in how many universities in the world, get that kind of opportunity?”

Leonida’s enthusiasm for Iowa goes beyond the professional. His passion is rooted in the belief that the state, which he described as “smart, honest, hardworking,” has untapped potential as a film hub. 

The filmmaker believes his film can demonstrate the economic impact of movies on small communities. “After this movie, I want to go to the state legislators and say, ‘Look at what we’ve done. Look at how much revenue this movie brought, how many people it brought to Iowa, and how it put us back on the map,’” he said.

The crew mentioned there is a cost benefit to filming in Iowa versus places like Los Angeles. He noted the film investment is around $2 million dollars and it would be exponentially more in Los Angeles. “Instead of being a $2 million movie, it would have been $15 million even $20 million. In Los Angeles, you pay even for the air that you breathe.” 

As the director of the film, Leonida is adamant that Oskaloosa and Iowa have everything they need to become a viable location for filmmakers. He praised local officials and residents for their support, particularly the Iowa State Capitol, where the team filmed a few scenes.  Iowa legislative staff and Produce Iowa, the State Office of Film and Media housed at the Iowa Economic Development Authority, were on hand to provide logistical support during the Capitol filming.

“We filmed a couple of scenes in the Iowa Capitol building,” he said. “They were so supportive. We only paid the electricians. They gave us access to that gorgeous location for free, and that’s a big deal.” Leonida’s experience as an Italian-American filmmaker has influenced his approach to this project. He created a story set in both Italy and the United States. He chose Iowa for its affordability and potential for growth.

“After 10 years in Los Angeles, I knew that making a movie there would have cost 10-15 times more,” he said. “In LA, you pay for the air that you breathe. But here, we have space, support, and a real chance to build something lasting.”

“Winter Harvest” is set to wrap filming in Iowa in the next two weeks before moving to Italy (after a total of three weeks of filming in Iowa). Leonida sees this as just the beginning. He hopes that the film will act as a bridge, not just between Italy and the United States, but between Iowa’s past and its future in the film industry.

“I don’t want to call it a message, but I do want to show that violence begets violence,” he said. “And that’s where it leads. This story is about overcoming that darkness and finding a way forward.”

As for his ultimate goal, Leonida keeps it simple.

“Let’s make something good happen here in Iowa and Oskaloosa,” he said with a smile.