Davenport filmmaker’s newest movie includes ‘Facts of Life’ actress

It’s a fact of life: Award-winning Davenport filmmaker Stephen Folker just wrapped a movie based on the book “My Heart Remembers.”

And among its stars is a face familiar to fans of a long-running television sitcom.

Folker was hired to direct and film (cinematographer) after Melinda Myers, one of his producing partners, found the book in a used bookstore about eight years ago “and fell in love with it,” Folker said. Melinda’s twin sister and producing partner Melissa Lawrence began to work on the project with her sibling, and Melissa’s husband wrote the screenplay based on the book.

Melissa’s husband wrote the screenplay based on the book after approval from author Kim Vogel Sawyer.

“Like many independent productions, it’s extremely difficult to get all the pieces in place to make the film come to life,” Folker told Our Quad Cities News. “They ran into numerous roadblocks, yet never gave up. Fast foward: Melinda found my work online and we connected on social media, then she made the drive from Lisbon, Iowa, to Davenport to meet up for lunch and discuss the film.”

“Everything from beautiful historic sites (many in the Quad Cities region) to wardrobe (some borrowed, some created), we’ve made it happen,” he said. “Melissa drove in from Arizona with a friend to handle craft services and wardrobe. Melinda was my daily script supervisor for continuity. And alongside me, Thomas Ely Sage was my grip/AD when he wasn’t in a scene acting.”

Folker juggled directing, cinematography, lights and sound – “I’ve got a process that works,” he said.

The ensemble boasts “some amazing talent,” he said. “It was a combination of locals, with our lead and supporting actresses from Missouri. We also have a few actors from the Chicago area and Dubuque. We even had the pleasure of working with Julie Piekarski, most well-known for ‘The Facts of Life,'” (she played Sue Ann Weaver in that popular television series that ran from 1979 to 1988.)

“She was super-fun to work with and we hit it off. She even helped out on set the following day before going home,” Folker said. And she even helped Folker change a flat tire.

“She said she could add that to her resume,” he said.

The final film will be submitted to festivals, and then presented to different sales agents for distribution, Folker said.

A synopsis of “My Heart Remembers”

In 1903, Isabelle Standler, an 18-year-old woman grieving the recent death of her parents, is confronted by her older brother, Randolf, who reveals a shocking secret: Isabelle is not his biological sister but an orphan named Molly Gallagher, born in Ireland. Disowned and thrown out of her family home, Isabelle seeks refuge with her fiancé, Glenn Heaton, only to face further rejection and a broken engagement upon learning she has no inheritance.

Forced to leave Kansas City, Isabelle relocates to Shay’s Ford, Missouri, where she finds work and a modest place to stay with the kind-hearted Rowley family. Amid her struggles, she meets Aaron Rowley, a man devoted to helping the town’s orphaned and exploited children. Inspired by his dedication, Isabelle decides to help build an orphanage and school, providing education and hope for the street children.

Isabelle’s efforts are met with resistance from powerful local figures, including the unscrupulous rancher, Jenks, who tries to thwart her plans. Despite these challenges, Isabelle remains determined, driven by her growing faith and the support of Aaron and the community. Together, they work to bring about legislative change to protect child workers and secure a better future for Shay’s Ford’s children.

Isabelle discovers her true worth lies not in her birthright but in the impact she makes on the lives of those around her.

About Stephen Folker

Stephen Folker is an award winning photographer (Giraffe Photography) and filmmaker (Folker Films.) Since 2010, he’s been creating independent films. Starting out with zany comedies, his work has shifted toward heartfelt dramas.

His screenplay, “Life as a Peach” was a quarter finalist in the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards along with the ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship.

As of 2020, Folker is a recurring cinematographer for Law & Crime Network. His work has aired on PBS, A&E and Hulu. Earlier this year, he earned two awards for direction at the Iowa Motion Picture Awards.

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