Rogers Alumni Debut Feature Film at Bentonville Film Festival

West of Greatness, the debut feature film from writer/director Jared Cliff LaReau, who was raised in Rogers, will have its world premiere on Friday, June 20 at 6:00 PM in the Fermentation Hall at The Momentary, as part of the Official Selection in the Homegrown category at the 2025 Bentonville Film Festival.

This powerful hybrid of fiction and documentary unfolds in the world of competitive bodybuilding on the Westbank of New Orleans, but its emotional core is rooted in Northwest Arkansas. LaReau, a graduate of Rogers Heritage High School, drew deep inspiration from his upbringing in Rogers—its working-class grit, its quiet resilience, and the dreams that take root in small towns.

“There’s something about the Westbank that instantly reminded me of home,” LaReau said. “It’s not just the strip malls or the neighborhoods. It’s the people—the humor, the toughness, the pride. Though the film is set in New Orleans, if you're from Arkansas, you’ll feel it.”

West of Greatness also marks the first feature film score by fellow Rogers resident Mathew Mozzoni, who composed and recorded the entire score using local musicians and studios in Northwest Arkansas. LaReau and Mozzoni were close friends growing up—bonding over skateboarding, art films, and music—but lost touch after high school. Years later, a chance Instagram story during a Saints game in New Orleans led to a reunion and creative partnership.

“When Jared sent me the script, I immediately knew what it needed to sound like,” Mozzoni said. “We had a shared emotional language from growing up together. I tapped into that and used musicians from our hometown to bring it to life.”

The film follows Jerome and Terry, two young men seeking transformation through a real bodybuilding competition created by the filmmakers. Over 18 months of filming, actors trained and competed against real athletes for a $15,000 prize, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. The result is a deeply human story about strength, ambition, and the quiet, often unrecognized struggle for change.

About the Film

West of Greatness: The Story of the Westwego Muscle Boys is a bold, hybrid sports drama that blends scripted narrative with real-life documentary. The story follows Jerome, a dreamer chasing Hollywood glory, and Terry, a young man burdened by responsibility, as they train for and compete in a real bodybuilding competition created by the filmmakers. The actors trained for over a year and competed alongside real athletes—with real stakes, real sweat, and a $15,000 cash prize.

Filmed over 18 months, the result is a raw, emotionally layered exploration of masculinity, friendship, desperation, and the need to change your life by sheer force of will.

“We weren’t just making a movie,” LaReau said. “We were building a world that blurred the line between fiction and truth. It’s a tribute to the people I grew up with—tough, proud, and looking for meaning however they can.”

World Premiere Details

Title: West of Greatness: The Story of the Westwego Muscle Boys Date: Friday, June 20 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:15 PM Location: The Momentary – Fermentation Hall, Bentonville, AR Festival Section: Homegrown – Official Selection, 2025 Bentonville Film Festival

For more information, visit www.westofgreatness.com or contact Jared Cliff LaReau at Jared@WestofGreatness.com.