Birmingham Native Debuts Independent Feature Film "Superior"

DETROIT (CBS DETROIT) - An independent film made in Michigan's Upper Peninsula is the first feature film for Birmingham native Edd Benda.

The University of Southern California film school grad wrote and directed his first feature film, "Superior", an independent, coming of age film after his uncle told him about a 1,300 mile trek he took along the shores of Lake Superior.

"The movie speaks volumes to not only the generation who grew up and lived back in the '60s and '70s but a lot of young adults kind of at a crux of decision making in their lives, which is ... a central theme in the film," says Benda.

"Superior" is set during the Vietnam war and draft era and focuses on two guys who just graduated from high school taking a bike trip around Lake Superior.

"We filmed for 21 days all over the Keweenaw peninsula ... our hub was in Calumet Michigan and we extended as far north as Copper Harbor and all the way down to south range in Houghton and Hancock," said Benda.

The movie will be shown at various theaters in the UP and in lower Michigan this month and in November.

The film is scheduled at The Maple Theater in Bloomfield Township on November 9.