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Shot in Harford

BY L’OREAL THOMPSON

Posted 1/06/10

Corey Williams, of Edgewood, has big plans to put Harford County on the Hollywood map.

On Jan. 7, Williams will premiere his new movie, “Razorblade City,” which was filmed in parts of Harford County, at the Landmark Theater in Baltimore.

The 90-minute independent action film was shot in Aberdeen, Abingdon and Edgewood during the summer into early October.

Williams, a screenwriter and producer, has his own production company, GoldenTiger Productions, which was formed in 2007. His friend, Richard Johnson, of Abingdon, who is the founder of Joystick Films, another production company, wrote and directed “Razorblade City.”

“Our main character is framed for murder,” Williams, 32, said. “The one person murdered his father, who is a kingpin, so he’s pretty crazy, too. The other character who was murdered has an older brother who’s an assassin. It’s like a cat-mouse game. He’s trying to elude two gentleman and at the same time figure it out.”

Williams said he drew inspiration for the movie from comic books he read when growing up and aspirations to create a unique independent film.

“You’ve heard of the whole framed story line before,” Williams said. “Having characters with their own unique personalities is a nice little twist.”

But “Razorblade City” is not just an action film, Williams said, it’s also a murder mystery.

“There’s a lot of twists at the end,” Williams said. “A lot of the characters are connected but didn’t know it.”

“Razorblade City,” which refers to a fictional prison-type town, is the third movie Williams and Johnson have filmed together in Harford County.

In 2008, the duo released the drama “Torn” and in early 2009, they released a comedy entitled “Can’t Complain,” which has been submitted to the Maryland Film Festival, scheduled to take place in 2010.

“That’s kind of my trademark is filming in Harford County and having strong female characters in my movies and a nice little plot twist,” Williams said. “In a lot of independent films, you don’t see that as much. When people think of a strong female character, they think she has to be physically strong. You can be physically strong and also using your brain. These women are outthinking men. They’re looking at the big picture.”

The twosome plans to continue filming in Harford County, Williams said.

“We’d like to put Harford County and the state of Maryland on the map,” Williams said. “When I go out of state, people know two things about Baltimore: one is Cal Ripken Jr. and two is the show ‘The Wire.’ We’re more than just that and seafood.”

Williams also said he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder.

“I have a love of movies, of course, but at the same time, I’m out to prove to people that people from Harford County can do good work and we’re not as shallow as you think,” Williams said. “That’s my big push.”

Meanwhile, Williams is looking forward to the premiere of “Razorblade City.”

“I’m hoping it causes people to think,” Williams said. “I think some of the characters people see and the characters’ traits, some people will say ‘I know someone who acts like that.’”

Most importantly, Williams hopes the movie teaches people about friendship.

“With friendship, they mean everything in life. What you find out in life, is when you go through sticky situations, that’s when your real friends show up,” Williams said. “People claim to be your friend, but there’s that old term ‘can you stand the rain?’ When it pours, they seem to disappear. Real friends will be there through the good times and bad times.”

The premiere for “Razorblade City” at 7 p.m. on Jan. 7 at the Landmark Theater in Baltimore is free and open to the public.