2021 Academy Nicholl Fellow, R.J. Daniel Hanna is bringing the Ridge View Academy cycling team’s story to life in the drama HARD MILES.
Now shooting in Los Angeles and Lone Pine, California, the film stars Matthew Modine (Full Metal Jacket, Stranger Things) and Cynthia McWilliams (Real Husbands of Hollywood, Bosch), as well as co-stars Leslie David Baker (The Office) and newcomers, Jahking Guillory, Jackson Kelly, Zach T. Robbins, and Damien Diaz. Multi-platinum country music star and cycling enthusiast Dierks Bentley will make a cameo appearance in the film. The cast also includes actress Emily Kincaid who is known for producing the hit Netflix documentary Abducted in Plain Sight, as well as Judah Mackey (The Young and the Restless), and Jaxon Goldenberg (Modern Family).
Based on a true story, Hard Miles chronicles the journey of Coach Greg Townsend and his Ridge View Academy cycling team. Townsend, who is a consultant on the film, works for Rite of Passage, an organization that runs facilities for young men convicted of crimes ranging from substance abuse violations to gang-related offenses. Cycling and exercise are part of the of a holistic program designed to help the young men heal and grow.
Modine will portray coach Townsend, who led the cycling team for the past three decades. McWilliams supports as empathetic youth counselor Haddie, and Dierks Bentley cameos as the fictitious “Bike Shop Bob”.
The movie has also enlisted the help of cycling veterans and former pros Christian Vande Velde and George Hincapie. A Hard Miles inspired charity ride is in the works with Gran Fondo Hincapie, a renowned cycling event held in different cities across the US.
Hard Miles is written and directed by Hanna, along with Christian Sander co-writing and producing. Scott Sander is exec producing for Pensé Productions.
More about the film here.
