Film Set to Begin Production in Lakewood

Lakewood film lovers be on notice: "Beautiful Garden" is set to film in the city starting at 9 p.m. Thursday.

"Beautiful Garden" — a film about a group of runaways, artists and drifters who live in a Utopian squat house, but greed, hypocrisy and corruption threaten their peaceful way of life — is starting production at on Detroit around 9 p.m.  

Director Chris Peplin said that the crew will film a robbery scene at Ross Deli and then move outside around midnight. He said that there will be four to six towers to simulate rain, and they will be used only periodically for a couple minutes at a time. Foot traffic will be permitted between shots, but once filming begins it will stop.

"I grew up in Rocky River and lived in Lakewood for awhile after I graduated," Peplin said. "I think it's a great town that is very supportive of the arts. (The city of Lakewood) couldn't have been more accomodating on such short notice. They're really helpful when it comes to the arts."

The city sent out notices to residents and businesses about the film shoot. 

"It becomes sort of a 'Lord of the Flies' type story," Peplin said.