The Southern Circuit film tour at Western Carolina University ends its 2011-12 season with a free screening of “Sahkanaga” at 7:30 p.m. on April 17 in the theater of A.K. Hinds University Center.

In 2002, more than 300 bodies were discovered on the property of the Tri-State Crematory in the Appalachian foothills of northwest Georgia, thrusting an unassuming, tight-knit community into the international spotlight. While much of the plot and storyline are based on that discovery, “Sahkanaga” (pronounced “sock-uh-nogga”) imagines this event from the perspective of Paul, a teenager who stumbles upon the first body.

Director John Henry Summerour shot the film in Walker County, Ga., and used a cast of local, nonprofessional actors – many of whom knew the real-life victims and perpetrators from 2002.

“I want the film to reflect the beauty, mystery and subtle terror that pervade Southern culture, specifically as experienced by its teenagers,” Summerour said. Summerour will be on campus for the event and will participate in a question-and-answer session following the screening of his film.

828.227.3622 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..