LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Movies. For many people, they're a way to escape reality and become completely captivated by a story while also opening our eyes to new experiences and cultures. For filmmaker Cory St. Ewart, his mission is to have authentic Louisiana stories told on the big screen with his new film, Evangeline.

"The community, the people, I mean they're the reason why I tell stories," said St. Ewart.

Studying film in New York, the UL alumni says his heart belongs in Louisiana and his goal was always to make a film in his home state. After searching for the right story, St. Ewart says the poem of Evangeline was the perfect inspiration.

"One of the most notable stories to come out of Acadiana, and then kind of made my own twist on it," St. Ewart explained.

With the right story in mind, St. Ewart says creating an authentic Louisiana experience was the priority for his thriller; writing it entirely in Cajun French and using time accurate locations.

"Our primary location was a scale historically accurate, Acadian style home that coach Peewee out in Breaux Bridge let us film. We also filmed at Longfellow State Park out there in St. Martinville," said St. Ewart.

After a year of production and editing, St. Ewart hopes to see "Evangeline" start a new movement of Louisiana culture being represented in cinema the way others have for decades.

"We all know what a New York Italian sounds like. It's only a small group of people, but, you know, 'I'm walkin' here' and all that is because they had a group of filmmakers that romanticize their community, their culture, their people, the way that they spoke. Louisiana is full of culture. The music, food, the language, the lifestyle. And I would love to see that same treatment come to our people," St. Ewart added.

Evangeline is set to premiere right here in Acadiana this fall.

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