Indie Movie "Mermaid" Being Shot In Harwich

 HARWICH – “Quiet on set, roll sound, roll marker … action.” Those or similar words may be spoken about town over the next couple of weeks as a film crew shoots segments of its indie movie “Mermaid” in Harwich.

 The select board approved a location agreement with the company on Monday night allowing for scenes of the movie to be filmed at several public places in town, including the community center, Saquatucket Harbor and Route 28 in South Harwich. One scene has already been shot at Monomoy Regional High School and another is planned at Harwich Paint and Decorating in East Harwich.   

 Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cyndi Williams has been working closely with the movie company to set up locations for filming, helping with housing, and working with the community to be involved in the process.

Williams said she was presented with a copy of the script and when she read it Williams made notes in the margins for locations she considered appropriate for shooting. They were very pleased with the recommended locations, Williams said. 

“Cyndi is the ‘Mer Queen.’ She has been a gift, an angel with huge wings,” said Fia Perera, scriptwriter and director of the movie. “She is so supportive of Harwich Port and Harwich, so welcoming and kind. It’s kind of the message of the movie; helpful, supportive and kind. It’s what the movie is about.”      

Perera said she is deeply moved to write and produce a movie about the plight of LGBTQ youth in this country. She said her research and having spoken to several trans teenagers who talked openly about their fears and struggles to find acceptance with their own bodies, in their families, communities and faith-based groups, drew her to this project.

“I was stunned to hear that many of these kids as young as eight years old are driven to take their own lives as a result of great shame, bullying and persecution from their peers, family members and religious groups,” stated Perera.

“As a filmmaker and LGBTQ+ advocate, I am focusing on films that can move the needle for marginalized communities. My well-received recent feature docfilm, Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity (on Apple and Amazon) successfully reflects this,” Perera said.

“Mermaid” tells the story of a ten-year-old boy wanting desperately to be a mermaid, who crosses paths with a grief-stricken, unraveling drag queen, and a deep connection is forged – one that they will risk everything for. In the end, through this relationship, his father can accept and see his child for who they truly are, explained Perera. 

What makes this film unique and adds a great deal of value is the eye-catching, powerful terrain of Cape Cod which plays a pivotal character, in particular the beautiful communities of Yarmouth and Harwich which have rallied and been so

incredibly supportive of the film, Perera said. 

“The love, passion, and unbridled support from the local communities has been truly astonishing and is so deeply appreciated,” Perera said.

The  star cast includes Devyn McDowell (who starred opposite Jessica Chastain), Arturo Luiz Soria (Blacklist and Bad Monkeys) Mary Birdsong (Reno 911, Succession, The Descendants), Tom Kiesche (Breaking Bad) as well as actor and Oscar-winning writer Nat Faxon, and SNL alum Alex Moffat. 

  “I have found that many areas of this country are plagued by intolerance, especially in rural parts of the U.S. where ignorance is causing great harm to these [LGBTQ+] families and their children. I have also found that this is not just a red-versus-blue issue, as intolerance and fear stem from one’s own beliefs.

  “More often, it is the dads who are having the toughest time grappling with these issues and need support in finding a

positive way forward for their kids. Now more than ever, these men need to relate to another father going through a similar experience,” Perera said.

“That is why I am making Mermaid: for the fathers out there. My mission with “Mermaid” is to inspire everyone to be a lighthouse that never stops shining a powerful light for all to see no matter where they are,” said Perera.

The entire movie is being filmed on Cape Cod, in Harwich and Yarmouth, according to Producer Ryan Lacen, who works out of Los Angeles with his production company, Normal Films. He has produced a variety of national commercials and has overseen production on a dozen feature films, including The Dust Storm, which was acquired by Hulu.

Lacen said Cape Cod is a “wonderful and beautiful” community and it has brought that sense to the movie. He also said they are trying to capture the key elements of Harwich. 

Both Perera and Lacen spoke to the warmth of welcome they have experienced here. They cited Williams’ efforts to find four housing rentals and hotel rooms for the 30 staff members working on the film and the generosity of the business community.  Harwich Paint and Decorating and Hinckley Home Center donated the materials for the construction of the float to be used in the movie.  

Perera is quite familiar with the Cape and has a soft spot for the beauty of Harwich. She said her family has a home in Yarmouth and she spent a lot of time there growing up. One of her ancestors, Anthony Thacher, was one of the founders of Yarmouth in 1639.

On Monday night, the select board approved the location agreement with Mermaid Feature Film, assessing a community use fee of $200. Select Board member Donald Howell wanted to know the rating and the tenets of the movie, and Lacen said it is rated PG-13/

“There is no violence, no nudity and no adult situations. It’s very much a family-friendly community story,” said Lacen.

The film crew will be shooting in town on Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Oct. 25. 

 Lacen said the plan is to have the editing done by the end of the year. The movie will make its rounds in film festivals next year,  and organizers hope it will be released in movie theaters and eventually sold to a streaming platform like Netflix.