Hollywood Comes to Snellville: Carmike Theater Hosts Red Carpet Movie Premiere

Snellville's Carmike 12 movie theater played host Thursday (Oct. 17) to the red carpet premiere of "Stand Your Ground."

Nearly 200 people were in attendance to watch the movie, which was filmed in Newnan, Carrollton, and Senoia, Ga. The story, which is based off two non-fiction novels, "Bridge to a Miracle" and "Georgia Justice" by Newnan local Jackie Carpenter, is a story that follows the author's son, Jason, who is falsely accused of murder. Carpenter fights to free him, despite the prosecutors seeking a life sentence.

Among the attendees were the Carpenters themselves and the film's cast, crew and producers, which some may recognize.

Cameron Arnett, who's been on the big and small screen for 30 years in productions such as "Star Trek: The Next Generation," "Doogie Howser, M.D." and Tyler Perry's "Meet the Browns," plays defense attorney Mitchell Kane in the new film.

"It was really a godsend," said Arnett about landing the role. "The actors are great, the script was wonderful, the direction was great. Having been in the industry for so long, everything about it was top notch, so we're expecting some good things."

Arnett's wife also stars in the film. Echoing her career with 11Alive and beyond, B.J. Arnett plays a reporter in "Stand Your Ground."

Also in attendance were Phyllis Giles and her husband, of Douglasville, who are experiencing a real-life ordeal similar to what the Carpenters went through.

The "Stand Your Ground" film title refers to the self-defense law that gives a person the right to use deadly force to defend him- or herself "without the duty to retreat when faced with a reasonable perceived threat."

The Giles' son, Michael, was sentenced to prison for an incident that occurred while he was on active duty in Tampa, Fla.: He was struck from behind without probable cause during a party, and he shot his attacker in the leg. Michael was convicted of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing bodily harm, which has a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years. 

The Gileses believe that the Stand Your Ground Law has a double standard. They're currently trying to to do everything they can to reverse their son's sentence, which is set to start in 2014.

"We're here to support Michael, to support the movie, and we just want to get his story out," said Phyllis Giles. A petition for their son can be found at www.justiceformike.com.

"Stand Your Ground" was made by Gift Box Productions and Triple Horse Studios. A theatrical release is set for January 2014, and preordered tickets are available at www.acryforjusticemovie.com.