By Courtney Gousman
Sauget, Ill (KSDK) -- A Sauget, Illinois diner is taking center stage this week during a movie shoot, starring a few names you may know.
The movie is called '23 Minutes to Sunrise' and it's being filmed at a well-known diner, on Route 3. Those behind the project say it's a low budget film, but are proud of it because it's backed by all local talent.
It all started with a couple conversations, and before you know it, some actors, directors, and producers native to the St. Louis area were all gathering right across the river, in Sauget.
"It's an all St. Louis production. The only people we're getting from out of town are actors," says Chris Benson, the movie's director of photography.
They're working on a feature-length film starring Eric Roberts, who is Julia Robert's brother, Nia Peeples, and Dingani Beza, who has been on the NBC show, 'Harry's Law'. Even some of the actors are from the St. Louis area. Eighteen year-old Haley Busch, a member of the Anheuser- Busch family, also has a prominent role in this film.
"It's great! To be able to come back to my hometown, be here and work, and shoot a project like this. You just can't ask for anything better," says Hazelwood actor, Tom Sandoval.
"I've got a lot of friends here of course family. I grew up as a native of Jefferson City," says actor Dingani Beza.
The setting is the diner, which has been redressed for the movie. The plot surrounds three couples who discuss how to live a life full of excitement, and of course there's a twist, that involves a little crime.
"This film lets you really get inside the characters, like you're actually right there in the diner and it's intense. You have these characters who are locked in this one spot, that are really just going at it," says Benza.
"It's an amazing thrill ride. It keeps you constantly on the edge of your seat," says Sandoval.
Those involved in the movie say they will be shooting in Sauget through the beginning of next week.
"We hope to make a couple more movies here. If we had our tax credit in Missouri, we'd be shooting in Missouri," says Benson.
The diner is actually still open for business through the movie shoot, since crews are working through the night and making sure things are in order by breakfast time, when the diner reopens.
The goal is to get the movie done by next summer in time for the St. Louis Filmmaker's Showcase, which is going on right now at the Tivoli.
KSDK