An independent film with strong cinematic ties to South Dakota makes its debut this weekend.  

Since the early 1990s, KELOLAND News has followed the filmmaking pursuits of Rapid City twin brothers Michael and Marc Linn.  The Linn family now runs their own production company.  Their latest release is “Until Forever.”

The movie is based upon the true story of a Minnesota leukemia patient’s test of faith.  While the story is set in the Twin Cities, much of the movie was filmed in South Dakota, including locations in Hot Springs and Yankton.  

“Once a filmmaker, be they Hollywood or be they local, once they shoot in South Dakota, they realize the advantages and cost-savings and they often come back,” Dells Theater owner Jeff Logan said.

Theaters in smaller communities like Dell Rapids, even though they’re far removed from the Hollywood red carpet, can provide independent filmmakers with the exposure they need to promote their projects.

“We aren’t like the big chains that you’ve got to deal with an office thousands of miles away and corporate bureaucracy.  We’ll work hard for these independent producers,” Logan said.

The movie deals with some heavy subject matter: not only cancer, but also suicide.  So the recommended audience is high schoolers on up.

“It deals realistically with real-life problems,” Logan said.

Logan says faith-based films typically draw big crowds to local theaters.  “Until Forever,” with its high production values and connections to South Dakota, is expected to be an inspiration to both audiences and the box office.

“Until Forever” opens Friday night at the Dells Theater and the Carmike 10 in Rapid City.  It’s also playing at theaters in Twin Cities suburbs .  

Next week, “Until Forever” will be shown in Mitchell and Huron.