Writer-director Butch Maier is ready to hear people laugh as they watch a man do something that’s a big no-no in May — forgetting Mother’s Day.

“Mother of a Day,” a family comedy movie, is premiering at 7 p.m. Monday, May 6, at East Park Cinema, 122 Southeast Blvd., Clinton. The public is invited to attend to watch the film with actors and actresses with ties to Sampson County. Maier said it’s different than other family movies because it doesn’t have crude humor and double entendres.

“A lot of churches are really excited about it because it’s a clean family movie that centers around a primarily African-American family,” said Maier, a white producer. “It’s positive and there’s not enough positive movies about African-American families. That’s why I decided to make this movie.”

Shot in Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, Va., the film stars stand-up comedian Lamont Ferguson as Ben Wilson, who has an hour to purchase gifts for his wife, daughter, mama and mother-in-law. Things become more complicated when Ben continues to run into two policemen, played by Ron Bianchi and Elwood Scales III, at the wrong times.

“I wanted to make this movie because it’s a family movie,” stated Ferguson in a news release. “And it’s time to get back to the family tradition of going to the movies.”

The film made its way to Clinton because of two former Sampson County residents starring in the film. Malachi DeWitt,15, plays a key role as the character Anthony, when he imitates Ben behind a closed door while his dad is gone.

“This movie revolves around comedy, and I feel that my character, Anthony, brings a lot of humor to the story,” Malachi said. “I also love being my dad’s cover throughout the movie.”

Malachi lived in Clinton with his grandparents, Glenda Lamb and the late Garry Lamb, when his mother Telecia Huffin was deployed in the U.S. Navy. Huffin is a graduate of Union High School. They moved from Virginia to New York in 2018 to pursue Malachi’s acting career.

“I was fortunate to find him when I did,” Maier said. “I have a feeling in a short amount of time he will be too busy and too famous. He’s that talented.”

Malachi said he wanted to be a part of the movie to get more acting experience. He returned to Virginia in early-2019 to watch a rough cut of the film, shot by Sergio M. Lorenzana. When he first auditioned, Malachi said the script was funny and he was dying to see more.

“I loved watching this movie because it’s funny and relatable,” Malachi said. “It touches on things we don’t think about that happens in our daily lives and adds humor to them. If anyone wants a good laugh without dark humor, this is a great movie.”

The comedy is the second feature by Maier. The first was “The Bride & The Grooms,” about a woman accidentally getting engaged to four men at the same time. It was released in 2009 and was shown in 13 U.S. states. He plans to make more movies, with goals to release one each year.

Ferguson, a resident of Portsmouth, Va., said he loves performing with Malachi.

“It was a pleasure working with him,” Ferguson said. “He’s a quick-witted young man. He was always prepared and ready to work.”

Huffin is also featured in the film as a churchgoer and her voice can be heard on the police radio.

“It was wonderful watching the story unfold from beginning to end,” Huffin said. “We had the opportunity to work with a great cast and crew, and we are forever grateful for the opportunity.”

Maier said he wanted to give churches a chance to see it. The Monday night date was selected with hopes that church functions are not being held in the area.

“We tried to make it easy as possible for people to come see the movie,” Maier said.

Several members of the cast are traveling from Virginia to meet audience members and for a Q&A session. After the Clinton premiere, he hopes to visit other places.

“We’re just taking it one theater at a time, trying to generate interest and hopefully build some momentum,” Maier said.

As the producer of the film, Maier is distributing the movie through his Sumbadhat Productions. “Mother of a Day” opened in Virginia and next will appear in select theaters in West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.

One show is planned for Clinton, but additional showings will be held if there’s a demand for it. Churches and other large groups may reserve private showing and group ticket inquiries may be emailed to [email protected]

Malachi DeWitt, an actor with Sampson County ties, stars in ‘Mother of a Day.” The film is coming to East Park Cinema on May 6.
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_MOADMalachi3-1.jpgMalachi DeWitt, an actor with Sampson County ties, stars in ‘Mother of a Day.” The film is coming to East Park Cinema on May 6.

Malachi DeWitt acts in a scene from ‘Mother of a Day.’
https://www.clintonnc.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/web1_MOAD_2-1.jpgMalachi DeWitt acts in a scene from ‘Mother of a Day.’
‘Mother of a Day’ has stars with Sampson ties

By Chase Jordan

[email protected]

‘MOTHER OF A DAY’

Who: Starring Lamont Ferguson, Shanadiah Nicole and former Clinton resident Malachi DeWitt. Written and directed by Butch Maier.

What: Family comedy movie premiere. Scheduled for one showing only. Meet cast and crew. Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for children, at eastparkcinema5.com or at the box office.

When: Monday, May 6, 7 p.m.

Where: East Park Cinema, 122 SE Blvd., Clinton

Trailer: tinyurl.com/moadtrailer

Reach Chase Jordan at 910-249-4617. Follow us on Twitter at @SampsonInd and like us on Facebook.