New stills from King Lear.

Lear: "I did her wrong."

Gloucester (Jim Zidar), Lear (Alexander Barnett), Goneril (Leah Filley)

Fool (Aaron Strand), Lear (Alexander Barnett)

Lear, Cornwall (William Le Dent), Regan (Samantha Dena)

Production Stills from The Eyes of Van Gogh

The film will be available shortly with closed captions.

Gordon Joseph Weiss (Theo) Alexander Barnett (Vincent)

Alexander Barnett (Van Gogh)

Alexander Barnett (Vincent) Gordon Joseph Weiss (Theo)

Dinner with asylum inmates

Vincent (Alexander Barnett) with father (Keith Perry)

 Other stills.             Trailer

Facebook Pages

I hope that you will visit and like the pages for my films:

https://www.facebook.com/KingLearFilm

https://www.facebook.com/VanGoghFilm

King Lear has Wrapped

My film wrapped on 4/28 - a difficult, but incredible journey.  For post I will be looking for an assistant editor, a sound designer, and a colorist.  www.kinglearfilm.org

Shooting exteriors

On the heath: Peter Holdway (Kent), Aaron Strand (Fool), Alexander Barnett (Lear)

New production stills

 #KingLearFilm Some set production stills posted - we are midway through principal photography now.

Rehearsals begin

Thrilled to report we have started rehearsing for my upcoming film of King Lear.

Some set designs for my upcoming film of King Lear

http://www.kinglearfilm.org/kinglearfilmstills.html 

Mario Cuomo

Mario Cuomo, a man of enormous dignity, integrity, humanity, passion, courage and towering intellect has left us and the loss is enormous. Aside from Bernie Sanders, there is no one in the political arena today who can come anywhere close to matching what he stood for. Again, that repugnant malignant monster death, has taken a great one from us. I am enormously grateful that he lived, but to lose him is heartbreaking. His greatest hero was Lincoln. As they say "like attracts like." He will always be an inspiration.

Designs for King Lear

Some of the costume designs are posted: http://www.kinglearfilm.org/kinglearfilmstills.html

Van Gogh Musuem to showcase The Eyes of Van Gogh

In 2015, the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam will commemorate the 125th anniversary of van Gogh’s death. They will be showing clips from my film The Eyes of Van Gogh throughout the year. www.theeyesofvangogh.com

Casting Male Roles

Currently casting for my next film, King Lear.

Seeking Interns for New Film

Variety of film internships available http://www.kinglearfilm.org/internships.html

Commentary

Nice piece from the Shakespeare Standard.

King Lear

Casting begins for Lear. info at http://www.kinglearfilm.org/kinglearfilmcast.html

Film crew positions

Resumes being accepted from 1st assistant directors, 1st assistant camera, and sound recordists. www.kinglearfilm.org

Stefanie Cytron joins King Lear Team

Stefanie Cytron is a Costume Designer based in Los Angeles, California.  She specializes in design and costume construction, costume illustration, and wardrobe styling.  She has worked on many international productions, and her designs have been showcased at various film festivals, including the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival and the 2011 OneCloudFest, as well as in TV commercials and on stage.  Her dye work and fabric manipulation have been featured in Kanye West’s 2014 Yeezus tour, during Spring 2012 Paris Fashion Week, and in the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards.  Cytron has extensive stage experience at the LA Opera, Washington National Opera, California State Long Beach Opera, Powerhouse Theatre, LA Fringe Festival, and the New Jersey Opera Theatre.  Cytron holds a degree in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Florida, where she designed costumes for a number of productions, ranging from period theatre and opera to African dance.  She is a Washington, DC native.

Costume Design Internship available in LA July-August

 

This summer intern will be reporting to the film’s Costume Designer, Stefanie Cytron.  The costume design intern will assist with and learn about research, sketch submissions, fabric selections, and period costume construction. They will have the opportunity to collaborate on pieces or projects appropriate to skill level and interest. The position will be based in Los Angeles for the pre-production phase of the work. Background in costume design and construction is required along with proficiency in research, excellent communication abilities, flexibility, and attention to detail.  Two or more years of college, college graduate, or grad-student preferred.  A positive attitude and willingness to collaborate and learn is more important for me.  This internship opportunity provides hands-on experience.  It is an unpaid position.  Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Ms. Cytron stefbc7@gmail.com

Grant for King Lear

I am delighted to report receiving a grant for my upcoming film.  I would also like to welcome Ms. Jacqueline B. Mars as an Associate Producer.

Stefanie Cytron has joined the creative team for my upcoming film of King Lear as costume designer.

Creative Team - Film

I am now accepting resumes and supporting materials from cinematographers, lighting designers, and art directors only for the independent film King Lear.  Please visit the film's website for information.

I am pleased to announce the official website for my upcoming film of King Lear, now in pre-production.   Please visit site for job information.

Synetic Theatre's The Three Musketeers

Fabulous theatre - you have two more weeks to see it.  Trailer here.

Director's Commentary

A Q&A for the film  The Eyes of Van Gogh   Trailer

Forbidden Games

This is a stunning film.  Beautifully done.  See it.

Van Gogh FAQ

I am frequently asked questions about Vincent so FYI

This is what acting is.

Goodwin's book is superb, but Day-Lewis incarnates Lincoln.

No, No, No!

Another production of King Lear that has Lear molesting his daughters?  How tiresome, banal and ridiculous. 

There is nothing in the play to support that interpretation.  Further -- if Lear is a monster, it makes Cordelia, Kent, Edgar, Gloucester, the Fool, Albany and his knights blithering idiots.  They love him.

Most important - if Lear is an incestuous monster, there is no tragedy whatsoever.  He deserves everything he gets.  That makes Shakespeare a blithering idiot.

Please.

Dead Gitmo detainee was cleared for release in 2009

So much for Obama's promises.  And where is the anti-war demonstration?  You can't object only when the party you don't like is in power.  Sheer hypocrisy.

Jekyll & Hyde

Synetic's upcoming production sure to be splendid.

Was Vincent van Gogh color-blind?

A major problem with the suggestion of color-blindness is that it ignores van Gogh's incredibly specific written description of his paintings.  I think not.

It Borders on Racist

For those who find it loathsome to vote for either Obama or Romney, I suggest you read the interview in Salon with Gary Johnson, the only candidate with the intelligence, the courage and the integrity to qualify for the presidency.

How to give elephants nightmares. They do remember.

http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/discovery-presents/videos/meet-the-elephant-man-promo.htm

Hitler FInds Out Romney Strapped His Dog to the Car Roof

Hysterical. Funniest video I've ever seen. Wonderful.

Please sign the petition

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2012/08/nude-scanner-order/

This is an opportunity to force the TSA to comply with court directives.

New van Gogh exhibit

Van Gogh: Up Close - Organized by the National Gallery of Canada and the Philadelphia Museum of Art Opens at the National Gallery of Canada Until September 3, 2012

Source: PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1cBIK)

Exhibit details

http://www.gallery.ca/en/see/exhibitions/upcoming/details/van-gogh-up-close-70

Reference to The Eyes of Van Gogh

Sugar Ray Robinson: Bright Lights and Dark Shadows

An excellent biography of one of the two greatest prizefighters of all time.




A profile of the man considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound fighter of all time includes film clips and interviews with Jake LaMotta, journalist Nigel Collins, wife Edna Mae Robinson and son Ray Robinson Jr. The original score was composed and performed by Wynton Marsalis...

Antineoplaston petition ASAP

Urgent.  Please sign and get others to as well.

The Eyes of Van Gogh

I am very pleased to announce that my film, The Eyes of Van Gogh, has just completed a five year distribution deal with China.  With prior deals for Hong Kong and Taiwan that just about covers southeast Asia.

 

Trailer

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460789/combined

Peter Falk Dies at 83

His Columbo was a wonderful creation. He will be greatly missed.

Burzynski Movie subscribers

June 24, 2011


Screening June 26, 2011 - Ridgefield, CT:
This Sunday June 26, 2011 at 6:30PM "Burzynski, the Movie" will screen at the Ridgefield Playhouse as part of their Documentary Film Series.

Director Eric Merola, Dr. Greg Burzynski (Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski's son), and lung, liver and adrenal cancer survivor Kelsey Hill and her mother Sarah (who are featured in the documentary) will participate in a Q&A after the screening.
80 East Ridge Ave. Ridgfield, CT 06877. For tickets call (203) 438-5795

FREE Screening June 26, 2011 - Frankfort, Michigan
Also this Sunday June 26th at 1PM "Burzynski, the Movie" will screen for free at 1:00 PM. Doors open at 12:30 PM.
For more info: marti.jeffs@yahoo.com • (231) 357-0864
Results from free online viewing: Since we placed this documentary online for free on June 10, 2011, it has been viewed over 500,000 times and still growing. Both Mr. Merola and The Burzynski Clinic have received hundreds of emails and inquiries into both this story and Burzynski's treatment itself. Although we only intended it to be a limited free release, due to high demand we are leaving it online for free until further notice. The first step in this fight is mass awareness, once we have a large enough percentage of the population willing to stand up and demand the release of these medicines for worldwide public use—a force for change can occur. The 500,000 online views in merely 2 weeks is a great start so far. This fight is just getting started. Please keep emailing the free link to the film and spreading the word! (Some people emailed about having trouble viewing the film online, this is also the direct ink to the film: http://vimeo.com/24821365

Synetic Theater

I have the greatest admiration for this company.  Brilliant, beautiful theatre.  Go.

The Great Cancer Hoax: The Brilliant Cure the FDA Tried Their Best to Shut Down...

I urge anyone who has cancer or has a friend or relative with cancer to see this film. I've read every book written on Dr. Burzynski and there is no question that the man is a brilliant pioneer in the treatment of cancer. For those who trust the government, the F.D.A., or the drug companies re: medical care, you're in for a very rude awakening.

Go to Dr. Mercola's website for Sat. 6/11 and hit 'The great cancer hoax' and then watch the movie for free through 6/20. The title is 'Burzynski: The movie'. Tell everyone you know about it.  http://vimeo.com/24821365

Burzynski the Movie tells the story of Polish doctor Stanislaw Burzynski, who developed the gene-targeted cancer treatment method using antineoplastons.

King Lear

I congratulate Paata Tsikurishvili on a brilliantly reimagined King Lear along with the splendid Synetic theatre company.  Bravo.

Putin: Freedom Fighter

It’s so refreshing and enlightening to have Putin (that great humanitarian and human rights advocate) weigh in on NATO’s action in Libya. This is the man who has carried out atrocities in Chechnya. This is the man who has had political enemies either murdered or imprisoned. This is the man who called the breakup of the Soviet Union the greatest tragedy of the 20th century. Yes, greater than the genocides committed b the Turks against the Armenians, the Nazis and East Europeans against the Jews, gypsies, gays, etc; the slaughter of 1/5 of the Cambodian people by Pol Pot; the decimation of over 800,000 Tutsis by the Hutus; the murder of millions in the Congo; the starvation of millions of Chinese by the loathsome Chinese communists and, closer to home, the murder of countless millions in Russia and neighboring areas by Stalin, a man whom Putin has spoken of with admiration; the rape and slaughter by the Japanese in Nanking. Unfortunately, the list goes on and on.


I, for one, hope that the rebels in Libya prevail and that Gaddafi, his sons, and all his supporters are totally eliminated. I don’t, for a second, believe in an afterlife, but if there were one, I would passionately hope that Gaddafi and his forenamed brothers in horrors find a special, reserved place. We can dream, can’t we?

UN Action on Libya. Finally.

Finally, after Rwanda, Darfur and the inexcusable delay in Bosnia and Croatia, the UN has voted to intervene and stop the slaughter of innocent people in Libya.

Amazing. Even Russia and China, who never saw a situation that justified foreign intervention, abstained but did not vote against it.

Finally we can act by principle and not some feel good barometer and not by a balance sheet consideration. This is the chance for the US to fundamentally reorder, at last, its relations with key Arab states.

We have the chance to support both the government and the democratic movements erupting throughout the Middle East. We have the chance, for the first time, to change the narrative, fundamentally, throughout this area and hopefully throughout Africa. Perhaps we can show, finally, that we can practice what we preach.

Even Al Jazeera and the Arab League (another first) support a no-fly zone and arms for the rebels. There are many who say the slaughter of the rebels is very unfortunate but we must be purely objective. To that I say, “Never at the expense of being human.” If we lose our humanity what do we possibly have left of any value?

“Responsibility to protect”, adopted by the UN in 2005 and affirmed by the Obama administration stresses the responsibility of the international community to protect people threatened with mass atrocities including by their own government.

Remember, we’re not talking about troops on the ground, we’re talking about a no-fly zone and, if they keep on attacking (and there has, as yet, been no let up) the destruction of all government armed vehicles.

Some of the arguments against it are: “If a civilian population takes up arms they should no longer be considered civilians. Gaddafi has every right to reign his country back in.” This is nonsense. Civilians took up arms only after many were killed by Gaddafi’s thugs.

“Intervention will violate Libya’s sovereignty. As soon as intervention begins the Libyan people will start to lost control of their own county and future.” That sacred word of the non-interventionists: Sovereignty. Totally flawed reasoning. When you threaten and kill your own people then you have given up the right to call this your country. The whole point is the Libyan people don’t have control of their own country. That control rests with Gaddafi and his hired killers. The Libyan people want to take it away from them. Human life trumps sovereignty.

“No-fly zones and supplying arms will not be able to halt the conflict and will lead to more bloodshed, not less.” The fact is, one of the key reasons the rebels have been losing this war is the air supremacy of Gaddafi. It is ludicrous to think that a no-fly zone will lead to the loss of more life that allowing Gaddafi a free hand would. If he prevails by using jets, tanks and gunships, there will be a terrible settling of scores. He has sworn that he will exterminate every single rebel fighter and supporter.

If you don’t believe it, you haven’t’ followed Gaddafi’s past actions (one of the biggest supporters of international terrorism, Lockerbie bombing, etc. Or you’ve been living in a cave for the past 41 years.)

“We have no obligation nor owe anything to the rebels opposing Gaddafi.” Dead wrong. We helped (along with Europe) to enable this monster, Gaddafi, over the past 41 years. So we cannot just avert our gaze and wash our hands.

“A justly motivated revolutionary movement doesn’t need outside assistance to prevail.” Oh, really. Without Frances’s help it is highly unlikely we would have prevailed against the British.

“This is like the invasion of Iraq repeating itself.” Wrong. That was an illegal bombing and an illegal invasion. Here, the international community has spoken and through the UN Security Council a no-fly zone is clearly what is wanted by the majority of rebel fighters and the Libyan people. Therefore no self-determination issue exists.

In the 90s, when the Rwanda massacre was on the verge of beginning, Clinton, Annan and the UN and Europe did nothing and after the massacre started, still did nothing. Like today, there were many people who said we shouldn’t get involved. Of course, after the numbers were released, 800,000 to one million murdered, they became very quiet. When the slaughter started in Bosnia and Croatia, the same protest against involvement. And of course, most recently, Darfur. Over 350,000 killed by Bashir and his thugs. I spent four years working for the “Save Darfur” movement and we tried desperately to enact, at the least, a no-fly zone, all to no avail. Many of the same people are against the no-fly zone in Libya. They were wrong then and they are wrong now. I am convinced they will never change.

The Libyan people are demanding the right to choose their own destiny. They do not want foreign troops on their soil. They just want us to level the playing field. Without this their struggle is doomed. If we don’t act to stop the killing in Libya, how can the US and Europe credibly encourage the Egyptian military to hold free and fair elections, push for commitments for non-violence by new political parties and convince the Arab autocrats to reform? Inaction is a statement to all brutal regimes.

Black Leaders: Their Romance With Qaddafi and Other Dictators

This is one of the finest and most intelligent articles ever written on this extremely important topic.

Join the 2011 Boycott to Save Seals

Please write to the Canadian government and tell them you are boycotting Canadian seafood until they stop this barbaric practice. It's been going on for years and it must be stopped once and for all.

The Tracer

Congrats to Francisco Campos-Lopez and Greg Hess whose short film, The Tracer, just won BEST PICTURE and BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY for the DC 48 Hour Go Green competition. I'm pleased to have been part of it.