Polar Bear Plunge to be
in movie

JACKSONPORT, Wis. (WLUK) - As 800 swimmers lined up along the shores of Lake Michigan ready to plunge into icy waters, the big question is...why?

"You wash clean all those sins," said Lynn Gilchrist of Sturgeon Bay with a laugh.

With their own reasons in hand and a countdown to craziness, the bold and fearless departed the frozen banks.

"It was pretty cold matey," said Garrett Berdanier who was dressed as a pirate. "I'm from Florida. This was definitely a surprise."

The 23rd annual Polar Bear Plunge was under brighter lights than past years. The full-length feature film, "Feed the Fish", is being shot in Door County.

"It's about a burned-out kids book writer. It's a romantic comedy," said writer and director Michael Matzdorff.

As a Green Bay native, Matzdorff says he spent a lot of time in Door County.

"It's a place I love," he said. "I thought it was beautiful and I think Wisconsin is very under-filmed."

While no actors were on scene and most of the filming will happen in the next few months, footage from the the Polar Bear Plunge will likely be used in the movie.

"They are very, very brave souls," said Matzdorff. "I wouldn't want any part of it. I'm glad to be on the other side of the camera for this one."

Matzdorff says he hopes to premier "Feed the Fish" in Sturgeon Bay in August as a show of thanks to Door County.

Casting is still ongoing, but another Green Bay native, actor Tony Shalhoub from the TV show "Monk", has signed on to the project.