FAMILY FILM THAT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY TO PREMIERE IN MICHIGAN
The first screening of United Colors of Bennett-Song will take place at Emagine Novi this February. An expected crowd of over 500 people will walk the red carpet on 2/25/18. This much-anticipated family dramedy is unique for a few reasons.
First the film stars Tara Reid (Sharknado, American Pie, The Big Lebowski) in a Michigan made film. It also stars Dennis Haskins (Saved By The Bell, 1,000,000 Ways to Die in the West, Into A Dark Mind), along with three of Michigan’s best local actors, Calhoun Koenig, Harley Wallen and Aphrodita Nikolovski.
Secondly, the film screening is looking to set a Michigan indie record and be a newsworthy community event, largely based on the overwhelming support of the deaf and adoption communities. With a screenplay by Nancy Oeswein, directed by award-winning director Harley Wallen, United Colors of Bennett-Song is a very timely story about a very unique family. The film celebrates diversity. Pearl Song (Koenig) is the lead singer of an all-girl teen rock band with big aspirations. Her plans are complicated by her six very diverse siblings, and divorced mom Susan Song (Nikolovski) starting to date widower Cole Bennett. Like Susan, Cole has seven children, also all adopted from different countries. As Cole’s father Sam, Dennis Haskins has a hilarious turn as an aging former sit-com star who hasn’t let go of his long-loved character. They also face obstacle after obstacle from their rich, insensitive neighbor (Reid), who provides the counterpoint to the positive message of diversity. Like her character Pearl, Calhoun Koenig was adopted from an orphanage in China.
Finally, one very notable supporting role, Janis Bennett, is played by local deaf actress Morgan Nimmo. Previously just in a national music video and local stage plays, Morgan was found on an exhaustive search for someone to play one of the heroes of the story. The 13-year old Morgan shares “it is rare to find opportunities in film, but I am so excited to represent the deaf community in such a powerful and entertaining story.” After spending the summer with her on screen siblings, two of them have taken up American Sign Language and Morgan has taken up a new instrument. The film is close-captioned and an ASL interpreter will be there for the Q&A with the cast and crew and with Morgan for red carpet interviews. She is warm, charming and a great human-interest story.
Auburn Moon Productions, Painted Creek Productions and Caribbean Fury are currently considering multiple distribution offers and waiting to hear from a few more. They hope to make a big announcement at the screening for the film’s next steps.
The big event takes place at Emagine NOVI with an expected capacity of 515 people in attendance. The red carpet rolls out at 4pm with the screening at 5pm, cast/crew Q&A at 6:45 and a post film music/mingling event at 7:30pm. More than just a film screening, the evening will include a live music performance from the School of Rock house band, information tables from Livnfresh clothing, DPAN, and a local adoption agency, as well as fun extras for the kids. Details can be found on the event Facebook page.
“"The United Colors of Bennett-Song" is a truly heartfelt drama with delightfully rich characters who surprise and enlighten us, both about the art of music, as well as the trials and tribulations of the adopted family. Seeing is believing!“ said Charles Cirgenski, Emmy-winning Producer/Writer/Director. Bring the tissues…you may cry as much as laugh with this unique family.
About Painted Creek/Auburn Moon/Caribbean Fury Productions
Painted Creek Productions is helmed by Harley Wallen, Auburn Moon Productions by Nancy Oeswein and Caribbean Fury by Walbert Beltran. The three production companies have come together as one super-producer, creating many of Michigan’s most lauded independent feature films to date. They are bringing big stars like Tom Sizemore, John Savage, Tara Reid and Billy Wirth to Michigan. Combined, they have produced 5 feature films together in the past 2 years, winning prestigious festivals around the world including: The Castel Award for Film Excellence, Best Feature Film at Frostbite International, ARFF Amsterdam, Cutting Edge Film Festival, Nevadad International FF, Golden Bridge International, and the Gold Lion Award for Best Film from the London Film Awards. In addition, Wallen was recently awarded Best Director from ARFF Barcelona, one of the top film festivals in the world.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Js-d22v9Re4
Event Listing: https://www.facebook.com/events/566432170371274/
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