Front Royal Rolled Out the Red Carpet for Hometown Hero Matt Drago and His Film Somewhere in Montana

On December 13, 2025, the Royal Cinemas in downtown Front Royal wasn’t just a theater—it was a time machine, a community hall, a chapel of dreams come true. Long before the lights dimmed and the opening credits rolled, the lobby was filled with hugs, handshakes, and more than a few tears. For Matt Drago, the premiere of his film in his hometown, Somewhere in Montana, was more than just a screening. It was a homecoming.

“Hi, Front Royal!” Drago called out to a packed auditorium, his voice already trembling with emotion. “This is a full-circle moment. I grew up in this theater. It was my escape. A place where I dreamed.”

The sold-out crowd—neighbors, childhood friends, karate classmates, teachers, and family—stood and cheered. The theater was filled with people who had known him since he was a kid, many of whom helped raise, teach, and believe in him. And they were here, not just to see a movie, but to honor the young man who followed his dream all the way from Main Street to the mountains of Montana—and back again.

Drago’s heartfelt welcome included a tribute to Royal Cinemas owner Rick Novak, who donated the entire evening to make the event possible. “Please support Royal Cinemas,” Drago said, reminding the audience how special it is to still have a local theater in town. “It’s a legacy on Main Street.”

He also thanked “Mama Carol and Papa Drago” for hosting the after-party at the Front Row Karate Club, the dojo where Matt spent much of his childhood. “This place raised me,” he said.

The film, a tender and raw story of identity, grief, and unlikely friendship, struck deep emotional chords throughout the theater. As the final scene faded and the lights slowly came up, more than one person could be seen wiping their eyes. Drago himself stood near the screen, overcome.

“I didn’t know I was going to cry this much,” he admitted. “But it’s not really the movie I’m crying about—it’s the people. It’s about how many years it took to get here, and all the people who helped me along the way.”

Throughout the evening, attendees shared their own Matt stories—some humorous, some deeply personal. One woman recalled accidentally punching Matt during karate practice as a teenager. Another said her children grew up training at the dojo with Matt’s father and remembered Matt as the “nice teenager” who all the younger kids looked up to.

At the after-party, friends, family, and fans spilled into the dojo for food, photos, and long-overdue reunions. “This isn’t just a film premiere,” one guest said. “This is a family reunion.”

Drago spoke softly with each person, often embracing them, thanking them for believing in him. “You don’t get anywhere in life—especially as a dreamer—without a family behind you,” he said.

But there were heavier moments too. The film was deeply personal for Drago, shaped in part by the passing of his second father figure, Chaz, who helped raise him. “Chaz was my dad,” he said. “I carried his ashes with me during filming, in a Tree of Life pendant. I wanted him close. I needed him with me in that scene where I had to let go.”

Drago recounted their final evening together, watching a sunset from a porch at Marriott Ranch. “It was the best last conversation I could’ve ever asked for,” he said, tears in his voice. “He loved food the way I love acting—with his whole heart.”

That sense of wholeheartedness resonated most with the audience. In a time where flash often replaces substance, Somewhere in Montana brought something different: Sincerity. Humanity. A deep respect for storytelling and truth.

Drago credited his acting mentors in New York, including Terry Schreiber, for helping him channel grief into performance. “Terry once told Alfred Molina, ‘You’re honoring your loved one through your art.’ That stuck with me. When Chaz died, I thought, I can put this into the work. I can make something real out of something painful.”

That truth came through on screen. Friends, family, and even longtime Front Royal residents unfamiliar with Drago’s career were moved.

“I thought I’d come see a nice small-town success story,” one guest said. “Instead, I saw one of the best movies I’ve seen in years. It had weight. It had soul.”

Another guest added, “It reminded me that when you have a dream, and you keep at it, it can really happen. And it might take 20 years—but it’s worth every step.”

Drago’s mother, who sat in the front row, glowed with quiet pride. “He’s worked so hard for this,” she said. “We drove to so many auditions, rehearsals—down Route 17 to Fredericksburg, and back. He’s loved this work since he was a kid.”

She smiled through her own tears. “You could tell—his whole heart is in that movie.”

As the night came to a close, friends lingered. Some teased him, some hugged him again, but most just said thank you. For showing up. For remembering where he came from, for sharing the moment.

“This is my family,” Drago said again, his voice cracking as he looked around the dojo. “These are the people that believed in me—when I didn’t believe in myself.”

The film is now available to rent on Amazon Prime. Drago, ever the advocate for indie cinema, encouraged folks to support. “$4.99 might not seem like a lot,” he said, “but for films like this, it can mean the difference between being seen or being forgotten. Indie film is at a crossroads right now. But stories like this? They matter.”

And on a cold December night in Front Royal, that message was clear: stories like this matter—and they begin with community.