Multiple Award Winning Patriotic Anti-war Film Premieres at Prestigious Film Festival In New York

Sept. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Celebrated Stage and film actor turned multi award-winning filmmaker Talbot Perry Simons today announced that his latest film ”Still the Drums” has been selected to screen as part of the prestigious New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF). The film will play at 8pm on Saturday October 24th at the Village East Cinema. This compelling film has already been well received by critics and won two awards at their Los Angeles sold out world premiere during the summer. Still the Drums was selected by the NYIIFVF Jury as “Winner of Best Feature Directorial Debut” and Winner of Best Screenplay.

Written, produced edited and directed by Perry Simons in conjunction with his Production Company, American Patriot Pictures. Still the Drums is a post Vietnam war mystery about friendship, patriotism, heroism and post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD) This is the compelling intense story of four childhood friends sent off to fight in Vietnam. One does not return. Thirty-nine years later, his body is found and an ensuing mystery begins to unfold. As memories flood back into life the comradeship of these old best friends are put to the ultimate test. This film will delight lovers of good old fashion drama and mystery films. It’s already been called by audience members “One of the best motion pictures about veterans every made” The film had moments that reminded film critic Don Haderlein of “Coming Home” and “The Best Years Of Our Lives” mixed in with flashbacks of childhood as rich as “Stand By Me”.

Still the Drums focuses on friendship, loyalty and morality. Although the film is about Vietnam audiences find that it can apply universally to any war. The film makes the point that for all veterans; their war is never really over.Taking its title from “The Illusion of War,” a poem by Richard Le Gallienne, at the end of the American Civil War "Still the Drums" approaches its explosive subject from a new perspective. The poem is about the lure of the music and how easily our spirits are captured by the false illusion created by the beat of the marching drum and joyful sounding fife as the parade goes passing, thus causing us to forget what the real horror of a march off to war truly means. Still the Drums will also be shown at a private industry screening for distributors at the American Film Market in Santa Monica November 2009.

In a recent interview with Independent Film Quarterly Talbot Perry Simons says, “Still the Drums” is a revealing story about the suffering of soldiers who have kept their deeds, guilt and war experiences buried in their hearts and minds forever. Never to tell their stories….Until now!” The project has taken Mr. Simons over 14 years to make, but he adds “I’m thrilled with the profound impact this film has made already. It was a real struggle to get it all done , but one well worth the journey to direct, edit, produce, write original music and act in this film that has now touched so many people and will continue to do so as we are now starting to get several offers for distribution both domestically and worldwide.”

The film takes place mainly in the backroom of a closed company with flashbacks to the Bronx in 1958 and to Vietnam in 1968. Stunning cinematography and lighting with a compelling original soundtrack with prestigious musicians including jazz bassist Jim Hughart, three time MVP and Emeritus award recipient from NARAS (National Academy for Recoding Arts and Sciences). Jim Hughart has been the bass player for just about every major recording artist in the last fifty years. He’s toured with Ella Fitzgerald, Fran Sinatra, etc., etc. and tours with Tony Bennett today. Also solo Guitarist and composer John Chiodini, who has recorded and toured with Peggy Lee, Natalie Cole, Nina Simone, Barbara Streisand and Celine Dion. Award winning composer Miloangelo Adamo’s “Jack E’s Theme” (ASCAP) and the new song “Nobody's Fault But Mine the P.T.S.D. Blues" (BMI), which was written and performed by Mr. Simons and has been signed for representation with publishers Alpha Music Inc.
Here’s what the critics are saying –

“Still the Drums will blow your heart mind to Kingdom come!”…
Tony Bull Bua - (President of the Here’s To Life Foundation, United Nations Award Recipient.)
“This is a movie that every American needs to see!”…
Robert Radabaugh (Former Executive Director of the Walt Disney Company.)

“A Suspenseful Tour de Force! One of the most patriotic movies that I have ever seen!”…Don Haderlein - (Award winning film producer, director.)

“A riveting story told in a compelling manner! The audience never saw the ending coming. Wow!”…Jack Lassen (President of EuroPacific Securities.)

“A choice between morality and loyalty.”…Nancy Buchanan (Faculty, Cal Arts - School of Film and Video.)

“The film succeeded on many levels -- casting, acting, directing, photography, editing, etc.The lighting and the photography was apparent and appropriate. Take a look at the films shot by the great Gordon Willis”

Basil Hoffman, ( Award winning Actor Author, and Acting Teacher . The United States State Department has designated  Mr Hoffman  Cultural Envoy to Lebanon to teach acting and directing in various prestigious universities in Beirut Lebanon at the University of Balamand's Academie Libanaise des Beaux-Arts (ALBA), the Lebanese University (LU), Notre Dame University (NDU), and St. Joseph University's Institut D'Etudes Sceniques Audiovisuelles et Cinematographiques (IESAV)

"I am very impressed by Still the Drums It’s the most poignant and moving patriotic anti war film that I’ve seen in awhile and a remarkable achievement by Talbot Perry Simons. The acting performances are phenomenal. The film also has superb production value, wonderful soundtrack, a clever script and a great cast. Talbot Perry Simons is talented, passionate and not certainly afraid to take risks. Audiences will enjoy the film and we really look forward to giving the film the exposure it richly deserves." - Stuart Alson (Publisher of Independent Film Quarterly magazine.)

Trailer for NY Premiere on Oct 24th 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glf2TmOje0M



LIVE Audience Reactions from world premiere in L.A. on Aug 1st 2009  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgaHCLvy4JU

The much-anticipated New York Fall edition of The NYIIFVF will run from October 22nd-29th at the Village East Cinema 189 Second Ave New York NY 10003. NYIIFVF is a competitive event that screens the latest indie films from all around the globe. Still the Drums will be screening on Saturday evening October 24th 8:15pm. Film Tickets are priced at $12 in advancecan be purchased at www.nyfilmvideo.com.. Tickets will include an exclusive after party with free cocktails and appetizers and a live DJ. Press and distributors can obtain an all-access pass by faxing a request on company letterhead to (702) 361 6309 or via e-mail at Nicolefilms1@aol.com - Attn. Nicole Holland.

For all interview and review requests, and invitation to the New York premiere of "Still the Drums!", please contact publicity manager Renata Lorenc at 917 690 1275 or email her at renata@rulapr.com .For further information about "Still the Drums” , please go to www.stillthedrums.com or contact Talbot Perry Simons at 818 761 6170 email at 23talbot@sbcglobal.net

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