Movie includes RV painted pink by Clinton artists
By Guest Columnist Joedda Gore
Paradise Highway, a Morgan Freeman production made in Mississippi, opened July 29 at selected theaters. This R-rated crime-drama stars Morgan Freeman as an FBI agent, investigating child sex trafficking, and Juliette Binoche as a rough-talking, tough, 18-wheel truck driver who is unwittingly employed to transport illegal cargo, a teenage girl. Sally (Juliette Binoche) is put in a moral conflict when her brother in jail’s safety is used as leverage.
The Mississippi Film Commission said the movie will not premier in Mississippi theaters but will be available for streaming.
Paul Gore Signs of Clinton has helped with signage for other Morgan Freeman productions, so it came as no surprise when Gore was contacted for Paradise Highway. The movie needed a motorhome painted opal fire pink and various folkart flowers hand painted around the base. Gore reasoned, who other than an art teacher would know how to paint like a child?
After spray painting the forty-foot-long RV the designated opal fire pink, Gore enlisted the enthusiastic help of local painter and art teachers. The first to arrive were Marijane Whitfield, a retired Clinton art teacher of thirty-four years, and her sixth-grader granddaughter, Zo Whitfield. Clinton resident James Jackson, art teacher at Murrah High School in Jackson, with a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from Mississippi College, brought along his art teacher colleague Raye Girard, who holds a Masters Degree of Art from Mississippi College, and her daughter Carolyn “Gatsby” Girard, who has an associates degree in art from Hinds Community college.
Paint brushes and paints of many colors were laid out, and the project began. Each artist was given free reign as to how they thought a small family traveling across the U.S. would decorate their motorhome. Zo Whitfield, the smallest participant, chose to paint the largest sunflower on the door of the RV. The finished product was approved by Morgan Freeman Productions.
“We are all excited to see our creation in the Paradise Highway movie, [I] only wish the story line was more child-friendly,” said Marijane Whitfield. “However, I am glad they addressed that very important subject.”
The Lina’s Truck Stop lighted sign used in the movie’s production was constructed by Paul Gore and his assistant, Bryan Cannon.
“My computer work pays the bills, but movie projects and hand lettering of signs allows for my creativity to flow and makes work fun.” says Gore, a Clinton resident and sign painter for over fifty years.
