New Milford Fans Rejoice as Horror Film Drops First Official Trailer

"You picked the right place." The ominous line closes out the first official trailer for the movie "Candlewood."

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It is a fitting statement for the scene but also for filmmakers who are betting it all on New Milford, CT. This time, New Milford was not just a location to shoot a movie, but instead a central character in the film. Candlewood takes common horror themes and wraps them around local legends that belong to the town.

But if all that were not enough to stir up monstrous local hype, the filmmaker Myke 'Foo" Furhman is from New Milford. He lives in New Fairfield now but he grew up in the best town in the U.S.A. Furhman isn't the kind of local you might dream up when you conjure up Hollywood stereotypes. He's a full townie who plays softball at Young's Field and buys his oysters at the Big Y.

I spoke to "Foo" on Wednesday (3/1/23) just a few days after the trailer dropped online and asked him what he was feeling, and is he charged up as the fans are? This is what Furhman had to say:

"I'm trying to contain my excitement. There is definitely a lot to be happy about but I've got to maintain moving forward in the process. There is still a lot to get done."

While Furhman was trying to put a choke hold on his enthusiasm, I reminded him that this is something to be proud of, a milestone, the first official trailer.

The inevitable follow-up question was when can we see it? Furhman said:

"We'll be done editing by late spring and we're hoping for something in the fall, even if it's just a limited release. Some places are already booking for winter 2024 so it might be then, who knows? That is a different ball game."

Furhman reminded me there is more to do before the movie sees the light of day, saying:

"I'm working with the editor to make the best picture we can and Victoria (Flores) is still out there trying to fund raise so we can afford a killer music score and a bad-ass colorist and sound mix." 

I was learning something during our conversation, I never want to make an independent film. Every time I think they are done, there is more to do. What Furhman and his group are trying to accomplish requires Day-1 passion with a side of Day-400 patience.

Myke will be the first to tell you, this is not all him. Furhman has a team that shares his fervor for film and all of its processes, including the aforementioned Victoria.

Victoria Flores is the Writer/Executive Producer of 'Candlewood' who started this project in 2020. I reached out to see how she's feeling now that the trailer is out and she answered with one word:

"Exhausted." 

I insisted she give me a bit more and after a brief pause she was able to muster the energy to tell me the trailer is just one of the recent victories, she recently secured a sales agent for the movie. Sales agents act on behalf of the producers to sell the rights to independent films to distributors, who then release films on different platforms like Netflix, so that kind of a big deal.

Flores added:

Flores added: "Now I know why everyone doesn't do this. Dealing with so many personalities all at the same time, you've got to be ready for it. Thankfully, our team was wonderful." Later she hit me with the yearbook classic "what a crazy ride" which is code for please go away. No offense taken, I love that woman (see below).

I got to play her fake husband in a part of the movie that I hope won't be cut.

For more on the 'Candlewood' movie and everything New Milford, check out the Ethan, Lou & Large Dave Podcast on Apple and Spotify.

We talked about this on the I-95 Morning Show Thursday (3/2/23). In the segment, I revealed why I plan to be heavily intoxicated at the movie premier, listen below.

GO BEHIND THE STORY WITH LOU: 

I knew "Foo" played softball in town because the local yentas he plays with, told me. So I had one townie example that worked for this story but I needed another. I thought wouldn't it be great, if I knew he shopped at the Big-Y? Then, I thought I'd better fact-check that. Not only was my guess 1000% right but he added that they have the "best oyster selection in town." Before you knew it, we were exchanging cooking notes and he threatened to "IRON CHEF MY ASS FOR CHARITY." I hope that is what I think it is and not some underground New Milford sex act I haven't heard of.