St. Louis-based filmmaker Daniel Blake Smith has spent years honing his craft, making documentaries that have appeared on PBS as well as establishing himself as an author. His book, “Mr. Wonderful,” published in 2018, tells the story of a college professor navigating a strained relationship with his son and dealing with his father, who is struggling with dementia.

Smith, who was born in Kansas City and raised in Texas, took inspiration from his own upbringing to shape the novel. Last year, he worked with his frequent collaborator, director Mark David, to take that novel and bring it to the screen. Cast and crew filmed the dramedy in eight days across Los Angeles. The film stars Michael Madsen, best known for roles in Quentin Tarantino films such as “Reservoir Dogs,” the Kill Bill series a

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