“Soul on Fire” makes premiere at Powell Hall Thursday night

ST. LOUIS — The red carpet was rolled out for the stars in “Soul on Fire” Thursday night as the world premiere took place at Powell Hall.

Based on John O’Leary’s miraculous recovery from being burned almost to death as a boy, the film stars William H. Macy, John Corbett, Joel Courtney, DeVon Franklin, Masey McLain and Stephanie Szostakwith, with Sean McNamara as the director.

It is produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment’s AFFIRM Films.

Hollywood came to town two years ago to recreate moments in O’Leary’s life. Thursday night, the high-profile celebrities came back for the red carpet screening.

Some St. Louis celebrities also walked the red carpet, including Ozzie Smith, who played a role in the film.

“Soul on Fire” resonates with one woman originally from Nigeria who is a burn survivor herself. Kechi Okwuchi was one of two survivors in a plane crash when she was 16 years old.

With 65% of her body burned, she came to St. Louis Shriners Hospital for care and recovery. After meeting O’Leary and seeing the film, Okwuchi hopes the movie brings light to other recovering burn survivors who may be in a dark place.

“I hope that with representation like this, they can see what the future can potentially be if they don’t stay in that dark spot because the darkness is not forever. And I want them to know that,” she told Spectrum News.

St. Louis leaders including fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson walked the red carpet. He has rescued burn survivors over the course of his firefighting career.

“The first time you do it, you’re trying to think of things to say to them to keep their mind off the pain that will come because initially they don’t feel a whole lot,” Jenkerson told Spectrum News.

“As you go through your career, you learn that the comforting, reassurance, the positive discussions, trying to take their mind away from what just happened has to be done. The firefighters, they’re good at it.”

Jenkerson said he has witnessed other people as severely burned as O’Leary and Okwuchi.

“It’s one of those images that stays with you your entire career,” he said.

“It helps you understand how important the first responders are to the community,” Jenkerson said.

Mayor Cara Spencer said having scenes filmed in St. Louis, as well as the premiere is an “exciting” tribute to the entire city.

She hopes “Soul on Fire” brings other projects to town as Missouri has millions of dollars in tax incentives for movies.

After watching the movie, St. Louis mom Melissa Swank told Spectrum News that “Soul on Fire” is moving.

“Seeing (O’Leary’s) perspective as he grew up, and the impact of his parents on his ability to thrive was just remarkable,” she said.

The movie will hit theaters Oct. 10.