Movie crew transforms Portage County into Italian countryside for new WWII film
The grounds of Portage County's historical societies, as well as private homes, are being transformed into the Italian countryside as film producers shoot a historical action drama in Portage County.
"Quarter Given," the story of a pair of unlikely allies who come together to help a young girl during the Italian surrender of World War II, is currently being filmed across Portage County. The movie uses several locations as a backdrop, including the Portage County Historical Society in Ravenna, the Shalersville Historical Society and private homes in Mantua.
Chuck French, an actor and producer of the movie, said the movie takes place in southern Italy in the months leading up to Italy's surrender in the war. French portrays Armando Marciano, a Blackshirt captain from the Italian fascist army. He meets Alan Layne, an American captain with the Office of Strategic Services portrayed by Matthew Zaleski, an actor and director.
The two men are at odds but come together when they meet Sofia Brandini, a 13-year-old girl they find in a house they go into while dodging an air raid. Sofia is portrayed by 16-year-old actress Ella Stec. The unlikely allies find common ground by making sure the girl is safe in the events leading to the surrender.
French said he wanted to focus on Italy because most World War II movies overlook what happened there — for example, most people don't realize Italy was embroiled in a civil war at the time. He said the goal is to make a movie that is entertaining but also educational.
Zaleski said he appreciated that he got to film some of his own stunts, including jumping out of a C-47, a military transport plane.
"I had to get certified to jump out of the C-47 so it would be safe," he said, adding that he spent a week in Florida training to do the jump.
The cast and crew is small, with many taking on multiple tasks. In addition to portraying a woman who gives the trio shelter, Marianna Alacchi helped with casting. Mike Trivisonno serves as assistant director as well as a camera operator, along with Dustin Nowlin, a camera operator, while Mike King, a key grip, tends to technical aspects such as lighting.
Chelsea Gregor serves as the location manager and also helps as a production assistant. Gregor also helped in the production of another movie filmed and set in Mantua called "The Hunting."
"I only have one requirement, and that's that they have fun," French said.
French said he has contacts who provided tanks, guns, military equipment, uniforms and flags for the movie. The Nazi uniforms, used in a recent scene filmed at the Portage County Historical Society, were so authentic that the historical society got calls wondering if a protest was being staged, he said.
In addition to Portage County, scenes were filmed in Defiance, Conneaut and the Cleveland area, as well as a speakeasy in Akron.
French said he is thankful that so many people have been trusting and let the crew have full access to their homes and property.
"It has been the most heartwarming experience I've had in my movie career," he said.
Because the movie takes place from August through October, the crew is working to shoot outdoor scenes as quickly as possible before switching to indoor scenes. They hope to release the film by spring of 2024.
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Crew filming new WWII movie 'Quarter Given' across Portage County
