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HEART of the BEHOLDER
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Directed by Ken Tipton Written by Ken Tipton Produced by Darlene Lieblich Jeanette Voluturno Arnon Manor Ken Tipton Genre Runtime: 106 min Release Date: December 2007 Advisory: Nudity and language. Filmmaker's Website Send to Friends |
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Plot Outline
HEART of the BEHOLDER is based on the true story of how a young couple was ruined by a group of religious fundamentalists because they were the only video store owners who dared to carry Martin Scorsese's controversial film, The Last Temptation of Christ. The couple stood up against relentless harassment, intimidation, and even death threats. When the couple refused to buckle, the religious zealots blackmailed the local district attorney into destroying their business and family.
The family lost their business, their home, their cars, and even their friends. But they fought back to clear their name and got something the powerless seldom do.
Awards
Best Feature Film - New Hampshire International Film Expo - New Hampshire
Best Feature Film - Tulsa Bare Bones International Film Festival - Oklahoma
Best Feature Film - Big Bear Lake International Film Festival - California
Best Feature Film - Kentucky Blue Grass International Film Festival - Kentucky
Best Feature Film - St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase - Missouri
Best Feature Film - Runner Up - Westwood International Film Festival - California
Best Feature Film - Runner Up - First Glance Film Festival - California
Best Feature Film - Runner Up - Palm Beach International Film Festival - Florida
Best Feature Film - Runner Up - Tahoe International Film Festival - Nevada
Best Feature Film - Runner Up - Cinema City International Film Festival - California
Reviews "This is much more than an independent film, it’s an important statement. It deserves to be seen by any and everyone be they religious or atheist." Felix Vasquez Jr. - Film Threat "[An] impressive but disturbing drama...a compelling tale of bad things happening to good people." Betty Jo Tucker - ReelTalk Movie Reviews "An engaging, well-acted, and often delightful little movie" Christopher Null - Filmcritic.com "It's a disturbing story that is worth telling" Dennis Schwartz - Ozus's World Movie Review "Every now and then, a completely independent film makes it onto the national radar screen" Marty Mapes - Movie Habit "The cast is exceptional...from top to bottom of the cast that give quality performances" Mike Furches - Reviews by Mike Furches Interview of Ken Tipton Robert Newton - Worcester Movies
Filmmaker Notes
My name is Darlene Lieblich and I'm the Executive Producer. I'm also the Vice President of Standards and Practices for a major television network in Los Angeles also known as The Censor. While I may be a paid professional censor, I am so passionately anti-censorship that I hocked my home to make this movie.
In my many years as a television executive, I've read thousands of scripts. It still amazes me how much trash finds its way into production while riveting, relevant stories are ignored. When I read HEART of the BEHOLDER, I found an incredibly powerful story, told in a unique voice, which roused me to laughter, to righteous anger, and ultimately to immense satisfaction.
HEART of the BEHOLDER is a film project that has been up and down development slates in Hollywood since 1993. In most cases, the project was just too controversial because it deals with the fanaticism of the religious right. This film does focus on radical members of the Christian faith. However, this film is not about trashing Christians or their faith, and many scenes make that point very clear. Pure and simple, this film is about the abuse of power - both religious and political. This was proven when we were given our second Best Feature Film award and a standing ovation by an all Bible-Belt Christian audience.
Distributors agree that HEART of the BEHOLDER is a very good movie, with a timely story, superb acting, and production values much higher than the actual budget. But they claimed that HEART of the BEHOLDER is too controversial for them to risk putting up promotion and advertising money on a movie that might upset religious conservatives.
Castlist
Matt Letscher - Mike Howard
Sarah Joy Brown - Diane Howard
Greg Germann - Bob Harris
Anne Ramsay - Reeba Hollings
Michael Dorn - Lt. Neal Larson
John Prosky - Rev. Matthew Brewer
Arden Myrin - Patty Simpkins
Silas Weir Mitchell - Lester
Priscilla Barnes - Miss Olivia
Chloe Moretz - Molly
Jason Wiles - Don Deetz
John Dye - Eric Manion
Patty McCormack - Helen
Conrad Bachmann - Rudy
Tony Todd - Chuck Berry
Music
Peter Rafelson
Brian Barrale
Sound
Alan B. Samuels
Cinematographers
George Mooradian
Film Editors
Dana E. Glauberman
Art Direction
Ryan Welsch
Jessica Ripka
Set Decoration
Elizabeth Cedar Mclure
J. Zachary Smith
Costume Design
Shawnelle Cherry
Makeup
Jennifer Nodelman
Special Effects
Arnon Manor
Crewlist
Charity Ozarowski - 1st Assistant Director
Screenings
New Hampshire International Film Expo - New Hampshire
Tulsa Bare Bones International Film Festival - Oklahoma
Big Bear Lake International Film Festival - California
Kentucky Blue Grass International Film Festival - Kentucky
St. Louis Filmmakers Showcase - Missouri
Westwood International Film Festival - California
First Glance Film Festival - California
Palm Beach International Film Festival - Florida
Tahoe International Film Festival - Nevada
Cinema City International Film Festival - California