''Defying Gravity'' is a 2008
independent film
An independent film, independent movie, indie film, or indie movie is a feature film or short film that is produced outside the major film studio system, in addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies (or, i ...
directed by
Michael Keller Lisa Savy James, written by James,
and produced by Balancing Act Pictures. It was accepted into eleven
film festivals and won four awards.
Plot
Cassandra, a
mute runaway girl, takes refuge in the
Jewish cemetery
A Jewish cemetery ( he, בית עלמין ''beit almin'' or ''beit kvarot'') is a cemetery where Jews are buried in keeping with Jewish tradition. Cemeteries are referred to in several different ways in Hebrew, including ''beit kevarot'' ...
in which her mother is laid to rest. She is watched over by Jorge, the cemetery caretaker, an
illegal immigrant
Illegal immigration is the migration of people into a country in violation of the immigration laws of that country or the continued residence without the legal right to live in that country. Illegal immigration tends to be financially upwar ...
. Shore is a dynamic, handsome, and brilliant young man who also happens to be homeless. After almost hitting Cassandra in his dilapidated
VW bus Volkswagen Bus or Volkswagen Van is a type of vehicle produced by Volkswagen/Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.
There have been a number of notable versions of it produced.
Volkswagen Bus light commercial vehicles
Six generations of Volkswagen Transp ...
, he becomes fascinated by the gothic cemetery
waif and attempts to befriend her.
A sequence of events results in Cass getting lost. Jorge and Shore flee the cemetery in a stolen hearse to find Cassandra before her abusive stepfather does. All paths lead to
Yermo, California - the site of a roadside diner and a feisty but compassionate
transvestite waitress named Lola.
Cast
*Alexandra Mathews as Cassandra
*
Willam Belli as Lola
*Macauley Gray as Shore
*Mario Martinez as Jorge
*Tony Franchitto (credited as Anthony Franchitto) as Lubitch
*Andrew Torres as Menendez
*Bea Bernstein as Psychic Lady
*Sara Corder as Destry
*Michael Francesco as Sebastian
*Ellen Gedert as Social Worker
*Andrew Hawley as Mercurio
*Ariel James as Zoe
*Mike McNamee as Penlorion
*Liniana Montenegro as Ofelia
*Carlos Luis Orrala as Arnulfo
*Joey Rivas as Pedro
*Tara Saunders as Edwina
*Jane Shepherd as Miss Grace
Awards
*Digital Video and Hi Def Festival 2008 - Best Story/Writing
*Fallbrook Film Festival 2008 - Director's Choice
*Action on Film International Film Festival 2008 2008 - Best LGBT Project
*Paso Robles Digital Film Festival 2008 - Festival Choice Award
*Wildwood By The Sea Film Festival 2008 - Best Narrative Feature
*Riverside International Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection
*Feel Good Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection
*Other Venice Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection
*
LA Femme Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection
*Red Rock Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection
*Beverly Hills Digital and Hi-Def Festival 2008 - Official Selection
References
External links
*
''Defying convention : Menifee math teacher produces film praising individuality and unity''{Dead link, date=July 2019 , bot=InternetArchiveBot , fix-attempted=yes , Peter Surowski, The Temecula Valley News; 20 June 2008
*''Defying the Odds: How a Middle-Aged Math Teacher Became an Indie Producer on 'Defying Gravity, Indie Slate Magazine; March/April 2008
Defying Gravity' official web site''"Feel Good Film Festival" official website"
2008 films
American independent films
2000s English-language films
2000s American films
Films set in California
Films set in cemeteries
San Bernardino County, California