Brave the Dark

Brave the Dark is an American drama film based on a true event, directed by Damian Harris and starring Jared Harris and Nicholas Hamilton. The film premiere took place at the Heartland International Film Festival in October 2023 and is a co-production from Aristos Films and MAKE/FILMS.

Plot summary
Nate is a homeless teen struggling to find the courage to confront the darkness of his past. When he is arrested outside of Stan Deen's classroom, the kindhearted and popular drama teacher determines to intervene. Stan decides to welcome the troubled kid into his own home but no one has prepared him for the journey he will undertake or the dark secrets Nate is hiding.

Cast

 * Jared Harris as Stan Deen, a small-town teacher in 1980's Pennsylvania. Believing that no student is a lost cause, Stan is slowly drawn into the mysterious past of troubled teen Nate. Jared was drawn to the role after being given a script by his brother, director Damian Harris, initially to provide notes and feedback on the role.
 * Nicholas Hamilton as Nate, a homeless teenager living in his car. Haunted by memories, Nate is angry, lost and alone until Stan Deen's stubborn kindness shows him he is not imprisoned by his past or fate.
 * Jamie Harris as Barney, Nate's parole officer. Jamie is the brother of director Damian Harris and actor Jared Harris
 * Sasha Bhasin as Tina, Nate's girlfriend.
 * Will Price as Johnny, Nate's friend.
 * Daisy Galvis as the judge overseeing Nate's sentencing.
 * Joey Cabrera as Jim Baxter, Tina's Father.

Production
Stan Deen was a high school English and Drama teacher of the Garden Spot High School, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania from 1967 until his death in 2016. He founded the Garden Spot Performing Arts (GSPA) in 1967. Brave the Dark was written by Dale G. Bradley, Lynn Robertson, John P. Spencer, director Damian Harris and Nathaniel "Nate" Deen. Nate is also the subject of the autobiographical film, set in 1973 and 1986. Nate Deen says of his teacher, Stan Deen, "He was known for bringing out the best in others, especially in the classroom, where he was lively, engaging and able to make a personal connection with students from all walks of life. [...] Without Stan Deen, I would not be the person I am today." Stan Deen was a father figure to Nate, leading to his legal name change to Nathaniel David Deen in 2018 to honour his legacy. The title of the film is included on the poster in the sentence "Sometimes the only Way to see the Light is to Brave the Dark".

Filming locations included the real Garden Spot High School in Lancaster County where Nathaniel Deen attended and Stan Deen taught as well as the house both lived in. Filming took place between late summer and autumn 2021. Climactic scenes were filmed against the Poplar Neck Bridge near Lancaster in October 2021.