FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2006
Contact: (323) 683-5689
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REBECCA GRACE’S SHARDS CONTINUES ITS FESTIVAL TOUR WITH
THE 2006 LA FEMME FILM FESTIVAL IN BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA
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Emmy-Nominated Filmmaker’s Feature Directorial Debut Takes On
Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome & the Domestic Aftermath of the War in Iraq
Film Screens At 2006 LA Femme Film Festival in Beverly Hills
Los Angeles, CA – Shards, the feature directorial debut of Rebecca Grace, an Emmy- nominated animator, editor, and visual effects artist, will screen at the 2006 LA Femme Film Festival on Saturday, October 7th, 2006 at Venue 1, 4:00pm – 6:00pm at the Fine Arts Theatre, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, California. The film, produced by Marcus Metsala, and executive produced by Grace, founder of Graceful Skies Productions, is an official selection of the festival organized by LA Femme, Inc. and LA Femme Film Festival (lafemme.org)
Shards deals with a current and controversial topic: the aftermath of war, which takes place in the homes where soldiers return and must cope with the inhumanity of their wartime experience. Soon after his return, daughter Erin (played by young newcomer Kelsi Werner), realizes that something is awfully wrong with her father Abraham, (Robert Reagan) a newly discharged Iraq war veteran. He is not the dad she used to have, and even simple things, like getting a hug, can seem unattainable. His obvious instability and unpredictability cause confusion and mistrust among the other family members. Yet Erin’s determination, sensitivity, courage, and ability to empathize with her troubled father enable her to reach beyond his paralyzing mask of estrangement, and take the initial step toward healing for both of them.
The 2006 LA Femme Film Festival has been receiving serious attention from the beginning: the festival screens highly anticipated and original films by women filmmakers. Additionally, the festival has invited top industry professionals to attend several filmmaker panels to discuss the many facets of today's independent filmmaking. During the festival, the afternoons and evenings are dedicated to screenings of quality independent films, and the nights are filled with festivities and celebrity events, including a benefit gala for UCLA Cancer Reseach Center. The hosting theatre, Beverly Hills Fine Arts Theatre, with its prime location in the heart of Los Angeles, ensures the festival’s visibility in attracting both the general public and industry professionals.
“We are excited to be part of the LA Femme film festival, which, has since its beginning declared the true spirit of independent filmmaking with such a great selection of films by talented and driven women filmmakers,”
Shards features a compelling, eclectic soundtrack provided by a diverse range of talented and established musicians: Mahesh Balasooriya, who, at just 23 years of age, is a Grammy Award nominated composer, winner of several prestigious youth musical competitions, has been the opening act for Ray Charles, Elvin Jones, Quincy Jones, President Clinton, Hillary Clinton. Featured composer Steve Fisk is one of the few figures that have exerted greater influence over the contemporary Pacific Northwest indie music scene. While a veteran of bands including Pell Mell and Pigeonhed, he earned his greatest renown as a producer, helming sessions for acts, including Nirvana, the Screaming Trees, Soundgarden and Beat Happening. In 1990 Fisk produced Nirvana’s Blew EP. His bands' music has been featured on numerous films and TV series including HBO’s “Sex and the City”, “Six Feet Under”, “The Sopranos”, MTV, “Homicide:
Some of Hollywood’s top visual effects artists have contributed to the subtle, yet stunning images in this film. Sean Jackson's digital effects credits include Red Planet, Little Nicky, X-Men, “Star Trek: Enterprise”, “NCIS” and Hellboy. Additionally, Jim Gorman (Elektra, Spiderman, SWAT and Daredevil) worked on Shards.
The film will screen Saturday, October 7th at Venue 1, 4:00pm -6:00pm at the 2006 LA Femme Film Festival at the Fine Arts Theatre in Beverly Hills, 8556 Wilshire Blvd., California 90211. For tickets please go to the website www.lafemme.org
For more info on the film, please contact the publicity department (323) 934-9248, or email publicityshards@
