Filmmaker tackles addiction in 'Happy Valley'
After all, the 46-year-old Williams has already found success elsewhere — as the founder and president of the Orem-based ForeverGreen Company.
Yet making the drug-addiction documentary "Happy Valley" was something he says he got "called to do." (The film opened in local theaters today.)
"Circumstances and events in my life pretty much forced my hand. I don't really think I had a choice," he said by phone from Orem.
Williams did have some experience shooting promotional videos and advertisements. Originally, he planned to document the experiences of his ex-wife, Nancy, in a drug-rehabilitation program.
But a much more horrifying, subsequent incident involving his stepdaughter, Macall Aubrey Petersen, presented a "bigger, more important and more troubling" story.
In June 2005, Petersen and her then-boyfriend, Jasen Andrew Calacino, were accused of hiding the body of their friend, Amelia Sorich, who had died as the result of a drug overdose.
"I knew then that I had to do something, to say something about this situation. I was in the position," Williams recalled.
Both of them agreed to be interviewed for the film, as did Sorich's still-grieving parents, Michael and Kathryn, who are shown talking very candidly with Williams onscreen.
"(The Soriches) are the heroes of my movie," he said. "Given how much hurt and heartache they've suffered, they were so brave to agree to be interviewed and to share their experiences. I have nothing but love and respect for them."
"Happy Valley" also presents a troubling picture of drug abuse in Utah, including the rise of prescription drug fraud.
While some might think that Williams is criticizing Utah's conservative values by pointing out the seemingly unspoken but widespread addiction problem, he says that's not the case.
"This could happen anywhere. It just so happens that all these things were going on in our backyard, a place where no one does expect it to happen," he said.
"And it happens regardless of whether you're male or female, whether you're religious or nonreligious, whether you come from a happy family or a broken one," Williams said. "This problem is not going anyway, and we have to do something about it now."
He added all proceeds from the movie's theatrical release will go towards drug prevention and informational programs. "I'm certainly not trying to profit off all the hurt and misery. I'm doing what I can to help."
Williams has screened various versions of the film since he wrapped principal photography in 2007. At last year's Breckenridge (Colo.) Film Festival, the film sold out two screenings and also won an audience award.
"Happy Valley" also experienced similar success at this year's LDS Film Festival. The film has even found an enthusiastic advocate in actress Jessica Biel, who saw it in Colorado and has become friends with Williams.
"Jessica has been terrific and is very supportive, because she's seen quite a few similar things," he said. "Given her young age (Biel is 26), that's pretty frightening."
Williams also has big plans for "Happy Valley." Its Utah release could be the launching pad for a national release, and he said he plans to shop the film to potential movie distributors.
And he hopes to follow up the movie with a project titled "Negligent Homicide," which will update some of the first film's stories.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com
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