A contemplation on the ravages of war as an Iraqi Veteran helplessly attempts to rebuild his life with the support of his unaware, yet loving sister.
Forced by a sibling bond of love, the struggle of awakening to the morally degenerating and toxic consequences of war begins a healing process.
Written, & directed by Begonya Plaza
Starring: James A. Lee & Begonya Plaza
While interested in exploring the human condition and the emotional life that is relevant to our present world, I meditate on the current war abroad that is destroying us inside.
American veterans return demoralized, dehumanized, physically wounded, mentally ill, and ashamed of the betrayal, finding themselves marginalized, systematically abandoned, forced to end up homeless on the streets of our cities, in prisons, psychiatric hospitals or dead. This brother/sister relationship represents two worlds colliding and because of their love and blood ties they are forced to make that final redeeming effort to understand and forgive in order to heal.
TRT: 14:45 –Shot on: HiDef HVX 200A Panasonic © izar productions, April, 2009
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I wanted to explore the meaning of family love in moments of extreme hardship, and what it means to stand strong and compassionate for those we love, when we cannot comprehend or forgive "the other".
Director of Photography: David Lang and Director: Begonya Plaza
Bobby Harris played by James A. Lee
Cinematographer: David Lang, First Assistant Camera: Suren Karapetyan
Script Supervisor: Ryan Kane, Gaffer: Donavan de Cesar
Assistant Director: Robert Kolodny, Director of Photography: Dave Lang, First Assistant Camera: Suren Karapetyan
Still Photographer: Caterina Armenter, Gaffer: Donavan de Cesare
Special Thanks To: Chris Newman, Charlie Feldman of BMI Records, Jeremiah Hawkins of Postworks NYC, Reeves Lehmann; Chair of School of Visual Arts and Michael Plaza.
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2016
Short Play Lab
The Midtown International Theatre Festival
Jewel Box Theater, 312 W. 36th St., NYC (between 8th & 9th avenues) October 29 & 30, 2016 @ 9:PM & Sunday, 30th @ 2:PM
LAMENT is a ten minute play inspired by the death of ballet dancer, Rudolf Nureyev.
Starring: Rolando Chusan, Solonje Burns, Cooper Lawrence, directed by Jonathan Libman
Not long ago in New York same-sex marriage was illegal. While a world famous dancer is dying in a hospital room, his life partner, waits outside on the street as he is not admitted by his lover's side. The homophobic family take advantage of this, to exclude him, and the legal wife who agreed to pose as a cover, now greedily exploits the situation for her own selfish benefit.
A progressive journalist secretly watches the scene unfold, and reports on it.
Still, there are many states, and countries that ban LGBT rights.
Call Ovation Tix toll-free: 866-811-4111
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Rolando Chusan
Cooper Lawrence