Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger, producer Sylvester Stallone and Blue Fox Entertainment comes the true story about a young man’s fight for survival with LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE.

The Fendler family are living the best they can in the summer of 1939 in Maine. Dad Donald (Paul Sparks) and mom Ruth (Caitlin FitzGerald) are raising their children Donn (Luke David Blumm), Ryan (Griffin Wallace Henkel), Tommy (Mason Cufari) and Patsy (Mackenzie Sage). Donn and Ryan are excited to see their dad return home because it means they are closer to their fishing trip that they’ve been looking forward too.

Dad isn’t home long when he makes the announcement that he has to go back to work and that the fishing trip can not happen. Donn is very upset with his father and takes it out on his brother Ryan. Trying to make it up to the boys, Donald tells them about a hiking trip to Mount Katahdin where they can go to the top of a mountain that is close to home and allows them a few days to spend together. Donn is making it outwardly clear that he’s not happy about it.

After a car ride, they meet Henry (Ethan Slater) who begins taking Dad, Donn, Ethan and Tommy up the mountainside. The weather begins to radically change and everyone but Donn wants to turn back. After an argument, Donn takes off into the storm and no one can see him with the fog. When Donald realizes his son is lost, he tries to find help in order to look for him all while dealing with his own guilt.

Mom Ruth is notified and she is devastated that her son is missing in such severe weather. Now Donn realizes that he is truly lost as the cold nights and wandering days begin to take a toll on him. Trying to remember to move forward, he also begins to wonder why he was ever upset and misses his family. This young boy must rely on what he knows and what he’s learned and find a way to get home!

Sparks as Donald is a dad who believes he is teaching his children about the harshness of life. That is why the hiking trip is important to him but the problem is it quickly becomes clear that the hike is dangerous. When confronted by Donn, as a father he makes a decision that sends him into a spiral of guilt. Sparks gives his character the essence of a man in the 1930s trying to do right by his family. FitzGerald as Ruth is a kindly woman who loves her children and the family. When her son goes missing, she knows she needs to reach out for help until her son comes home. FitzGerald gives her role warmth, patience, understanding and a belief in her son.

Blumm as Donn is a bit rebellious but it is based on the anger, he is feeling that he can not spend time with his father. Of course, at that age, boys don’t understand the responsibilities of fathers to the family as a whole. Once he is out in the wilderness, in the beginning it seems like a big adventure and Donn can be and do whatever he wants. It doesn’t take long before the reality of his situations sets in with the wilderness not allowing this boy one solid break. Blumm gives his character the heartache, determination, frustration and love he needs to survive what most would consider a life-ending situation. A well-done performance from a young man who took his role seriously. Henkel as Ryan is a brother who is also dealing with guilt and will do anything to bring his brother home. The reunited of the two is totally heartwarming.

Blue Fox Entertainment is a global film distribution and sales company specializing in connecting filmmakers to audiences and buyers in the United States and around the world internationally. For more of what Blue Fox Entertainment has to offer please visit www.bluefoxentertainment.com.

LOST ON A MOUNTAIN IN MAINE is the true story of Donn Fendler and based on a book by the same name from author Joseph B. Egan. Donn’s disappearance created the largest manhunt, brought out volunteers to help in the search and involves hundreds of people. Finding his way out of the woods, Donn came out in a stream he had been following for days. After his rescue, Donn was presented the Army & Navy Legion of Valor medal from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

This film is wonderful in its telling following the trials of not only Donn but the family who would never give up looking for him. His parents try to keep their guilt hidden and moved forward doing everything possible to find their son, and a brother who would takes his own risks to find his brother. The story is one that families can watch together and talk about long after it is over. It has all the elements of a family struggling, strong emotions, faith and relationships that can sometimes be difficult, yet, it all comes down to one thing – a belief in something higher than ourselves.

In the end – eighty miles, nine days and one step at a time!

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