T-R PHOTO BY SARA JORDAN-HEINTZ — “Mania,” a film shot in Laurel, Marshalltown and New York, had its Iowa debut Saturday at the Fleur Cinema & Café in Des Moines. Pictured are the film’s director Jude Rawlins, left, and stars Avery Knudson and Rob Merritt.

DES MOINES — Marshalltown-based Bella Luna Productions saw the Iowa premiere of its latest film “Mania” Saturday night at the Fleur Cinema & Café. It was first screened back in May at the Vino Theatre in Brooklyn, N.Y.

British-born musician-turned-filmmaker Jude Rawlins, a former resident of Marshalltown who now calls the Des Moines area home, was in attendance, as well as several of the film’s stars, producers and financial backers.

“Mania” centers on Dandy Fleming, who embarks on a whirlwind romance with a man she meets at her sister’s funeral in New York City — psychiatrist Harris Bolger. After they wed and relocate to small town Iowa, a series of strange occurrences lead Dandy to question what she holds to be true, as she further probes the circumstances surrounding her sister’s suicide. Dandy has a dysfunctional relationship with her overbearing mother, played by Patricia O’Neil. Rawlins says he tries to not label his films, noting he “isn’t into genres and conventional storytelling.”

Themes explored in the movie include mental illness, domestic violence, narcissism, codependency and gaslighting. Manly, Iowa native Avery Knudson plays the role of Dandy.

“This is the second film that I’ve done with Jude. I kept in contact after I had a smaller role in ‘Little Johnny Jewel,'” she said. “He sent me the ‘Mania’ script and was telling me about it. I didn’t know he was offering me the role…This is my third film and the first one that I’ve had a leading role in and a bigger part in producing. It’s definitely been something that I had more of an emotional and professional stake in that I saw from start to finish, and had more of a hand in the development.”

Rob Merritt, who was on staff at the T-R from 1998-2004 as a reporter, plays the role of Harris Bolger.

“The thing that’s really great is that there are so many opportunities in Iowa — both on stage and in film — that you can be based in Iowa and still do a lot of really good work,” he said. “I made it here to the premiere after I was on set for a movie that was shooting with Max Allan Collins in Muscatine. There are opportunities and projects that are always happening.”

Emily Kincaid, who plays Officer Ariana Albertine, has also collaborated with Rawlins in the past. Rawlins’ wife Rebecca Haroldson has appeared in several films and plays Det. Shaw Taylor in the movie.

“He’s just really fun to work with. When he gives direction, I know exactly what he wants. He’s very clear and concise, which is really nice. And now working with him numerous times, we have kind of a shorthand, which makes it easier and faster on set,” Kincaid said.

Amy Van Holland, who portrays Dr. Lisa Barrett, said she studied up on psychology to better prepare for the role.

“I knew a little bit about narcissism prior to this movie and did a lot of Google searching,” she said.

After the film, Rawlins, Knudson and Merritt participated in a Q&A session with the audience, led by EJ Philby Burton with Produce Iowa.

“I think Iowa filmmaking is one of the best kept secrets around,” Burton said.

The cast discussed ways in which they got into character, times when they improvised dialogue, and revealed how they got a speeding ticket filming a scene on Lincoln Way. The cast also discussed how Rawlins favors doing scenes in one take.

A house in Laurel owned by Libbie Willert was used for filming, with other scenes shot at the Marshalltown homes of Bob and Linda Moore and Nancy Adams and Jeff Braddock, who all serve on the Bella Luna board. Sheryl Duden lent the usage of her kitchen for scenes throughout the film. Other scenes were shot in New York City and at various businesses in Marshalltown. Grant Gale served as technical director.

“Mania” has been nominated for two New Yorker Critics Choice awards: Best Actress for Knudson and Best Director for Rawlins.

“We are also in the running for Best Narrative Feature at the AMT International Film Festival in November, which is also in New York, and the film will have its London premiere at the beginning of October,” Rawlins said.

Bella Luna Productions may be reached at: admin@bellalunaproductions.com and 323-522-5822. To learn more, visit: www.bellalunaproductions.com.