READY FOR HIS CLOSE-UP

Filmmaker's movie gets state premiere

Kyle T. Miller is more than just the director of the Helena Cultural Center over in Arkansas' Delta region. He's also a talented playwright and filmmaker with a newly released movie that is making some waves.

The Best Thing!, the story of a restaurant owner who finds that he may have a son by his deceased girlfriend -- and a young boy who finds that the deaths of his adoptive parents may not have left him without family after all -- made its red-carpet premiere Dec. 2 at Riverdale 10 Cinema. Greeting moviegoers and giving interviews were Miller along with actors Niya Davis, K.C. Lee, Stan King and the one-name Reid, the film's casting director as well as one of its standout stars. Also on hand was local resident Eugene Whitmore, who scored the film; and another local, trumpeter Rodney Block, whose music graces the soundtrack.

VIP ticketholders were given gift bags and autographed movie posters, and posed for photos. After the 8 p.m. showing, Miller and cast members answered questions from the audience.

The Best Thing! was selected by the Chicago Black Harvest Film Festival, where it played for sold-out shows. It was nominated by the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago's Black Excellence Awards for Best Film as well as Best Director (Miller). Lee, who plays lead character Justin Alexander, won the Best Actor award.

Miller, head of KTM Productions, also released the 2015 independent film Jeremy Brooks.

-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams

High Profile on 12/10/2017

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