What began as a
stage play at Muskegon Community College is now a nationally released feature film with international reach.
Old Heart, adapted from the novel by the late Peter Ferry, tells a timeless story of love, resistance, and rediscovery, bridging West Michigan’s Dutch heritage with a lesser-known chapter of World War II history.
Filmed almost entirely in West Michigan with 23 local actors in the cast, the film follows Tom Johnson, an African American U.S. Army soldier, and Sarah van Praag, a Dutch Jewish translator. During the Netherlands’ Hunger Winter of 1944-45, the two smuggle food to civilians trapped behind Nazi lines. Their relationship is interrupted by war, but decades later, Tom, now facing placement in assisted living, secretly boards a plane to Amsterdam, determined to find the woman he never forgot.
“We’re telling a story of humanitarian courage and enduring love, set in a time of great crisis,” says Roger Rapoport, the film’s producer and screenwriter. “And we’re doing it with local talent and strong community support.”
Authentic look
West Michigan’s deep Dutch roots helped bring authenticity to the production. Many scenes were filmed at sites resembling the Netherlands, including Muskegon’s historic Torrent House, which doubles as a Dutch law office. Additional footage was shot in the Netherlands, including the De Biesbosch waterways, real locations used by resistance fighters to deliver food during the war.
“We were able to recreate Dutch interiors with help from the local community,” Rapoport says. “From architecture to landscapes, West Michigan mirrors the Netherlands in surprising and beautiful ways.”
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Crew members David Darling and Pete Bosheff with actors Diane Van Wesep (Pim de Wit) and Edward Gaines (Old Tom Johnson) during the filming of Old Heart in Muskegon.
Dutch actress Eva Doueiri makes her English-language screen debut as Sarah van Praag, starring opposite Muskegon’s Jamelle Sargent as young Tom Johnson. The film captures their emotional journey with intimacy and nuance.
“Eva brought a deep understanding of the emotional and cultural layers of Sarah’s story,” Rapoport says. “Her connection with Jamelle brings real authenticity to the screen.”
The film premiered in Muskegon on June 1 at Mona Shores High School, drawing community members, cast, and crew. The event benefited the Heartland Independent Film Forum and the Lakeshore Museum.
Old Heart is now playing at Cinema Carousel in Norton Shores. The run included a special cast appearance on June 7.
Upcoming West Michigan screenings include:
- June 13: Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners
- June 25–26: Hope College, Holland, during the Association for the Advancement of Dutch American Studies conference
- June 29: Dogwood Center, Fremont
A complete schedule, including showings in the Netherlands, is available at
oldheartmovie.com.
The film was also shown in South Haven, where Peter Ferry, author of
Old Heart, spent summers in nearby Palisades Park. Ferry died in September 2024, just as filming began.
Novel, play, then film
The film grew out of stage performances held in 2022 and 2023 at Muskegon Community College and Detroit’s Redford Theatre, which drew over 800 attendees. Audience response played a key role in shaping the screenplay.
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Cinematographer Tyler Joslin with crew members Kirk Wahamaki and David Darling, and actors Diane Van Wesep and Edward Gaines during filming.
“People wanted to know more about the real story behind Peter Ferry’s novel, how America fought the world’s greatest racist with a segregated Army,” Rapoport says.
Turning the stage production into a film required creative problem-solving. The production team used archival footage and historic Michigan locations to create a visual narrative that moved between wartime Europe and present-day America.
Much of the cast and crew came from previous collaborations with Rapoport on films like
Waterwalk and
Coming Up for Air.
Rapoport sees
Old Heart as more than a war story. It explores the autonomy of older adults, the complexity of interracial relationships, and the legacy of Black veterans whose contributions have long been underrecognized.
The film highlights the Red Ball Express, the only racially integrated unit in the otherwise-segregated U.S. Army, which played a vital role in the Allied advance after D-Day.
“This is more than a love story,” says cast member Zaneta Adams, former director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. “It’s about dignity, resilience, and the power of memory.”
For Muskegon actor Edward Gaines, who plays the older Tom Johnson, the story has personal resonance. His father qualified for the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, a legacy that deepens the film’s connection to the Netherlands.
Connecting with audiences
Old Heart encourages audiences to reflect on their own histories, families, and the decisions that shape their lives.
“Audiences are surprised by how much they didn’t know about the Hunger Winter or the Red Ball Express,” Rapoport says. “But they also see themselves in the story, especially older adults and their families.”
The film’s score is by Emmy-winning composer Garth Neustadte. It was edited by veteran Hollywood editor Gene Gamache.
Produced by the Muskegon-based Heartland Independent Film Forum,
Old Heart offers both a tribute to the past and a message for the present: it’s never too late for love, for justice, or for second chances.
For more information or to request a screening, contact Roger Rapoport at 231-720-0930 or visit
heartland-iff.org.
Photos courtesy of Roger Rapoport