MFG NEWS
Posted: March 16, 2006
Posted by: MFG Member Christos Sourigas, Filmmaker
Subject: ChristosÕs first feature: Elephant Shoes - opening at AMC Forum 22 this
week
Screening Dates: March 17, 2006 - March 24th,
2006 (longer if the run is extended)
Local Award-Winning
Feature Elephant Shoes
Opens on March 17th!
Just
in time for spring, Montrealers will be saying Òelephant shoesÓ
(looks
like youÕre saying ÒI love youÓ, when spoken silently)
MONTREAL – Monday,
March 6, 2006 - Award-winning indie filmmaker Christos Sourligas returns to Montreal
with the theatrical release of his debut feature, Elephant Shoes, at the AMC Forum 22 on
Friday, March 17th, 2006.
Shot in one
location in 4 ½ days with two actors, three crew members and costing a
mere $10,000 — financed entirely by the producerÕs credit cards — Elephant
Shoes is an honest and
clever look at what might happen if a long-term relationship is squeezed into
just half a day. The film charts the whirlwind courtship of Alexis and Manny.
In just 12 hours, they fly through several stages of intimacy and what follows
is a biting compression of all the love, tenderness, drama and heartache of any
relationship.
One Man Band Films is an
independent film production company founded by the filmmaker, himself. In 2005,
the company was awarded the Innovative/Creativity Award by the Montreal Hellenic
Board of Trade. His debut
feature, Elephant Shoes was the darling of the film festival circuit in 2004 and 2005,
winning the Audience Award at the Sante Fe Film Festival, and selling out
screenings across the world. The film has been described as a "sleeper
hit", a "festival crowd-pleaser", and "inspirational".
Sourligas' short film credits include Vomit Boy, The Last Supper, and Park Ex., which was awarded the Canadian
Multicultural Award by the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. In his
spare time, Sourligas also heads the television sales division of the
world-renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival!
Stacie Morgain Lewis (Alexis) is
currently performing the lead role of Glinda the Good Witch in the smash
Broadway musical Wicked presented by Universal Pictures. As well, Lewis starred in the
Tony awarding-winning musical Urinetown where she performed the role of Little
Becky Two Shoes. Other credits include the Tony award-winning musical Titanic, My Fair Lady, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, West Side Story, South Pacific, Evita, and A Chorus Line. Lewis is a BFA graduate of Ithaca
College.
Greg Shamie (Manny) has
guest-starred on an Emmy award-winning episode of Law & Order,
co-starred on Six Feet Under and worked on the film Levity
directed by Ed Solomon starring Billy Bob Thornton and Holly Hunter. Shamie was
the star of an Orange Mobile ad campaign directed by Martin Scorsese
and lensed by Darius Kondji. He is a graduate and scholarship recipient of
Circle in the Square Theatre School.
Luc Montpellier, CSC,
one of Canada's top DOPs, has entertained and inspired feature film audiences, festival
cinephiles and television viewers for over a decade. His recent credits include
Guy Maddin's The Saddest Music in the World; Peter Wellington's Luck; Sarah PolleyÕs I Shout Love, and At The Hotel
for Ken Finkleman. Montpellier was recently awarded a Gemini Award (Canadian
Emmy) for Best Photography in a Drama for Hemingway Vs. Callaghan.
Music composer Tim RideoutÕs
globe-trotting, award-winning history has afforded him the opportunity of
incredible artistic diversity - from playing at the Olympia in Paris, to
winning a New Mexico Music Award in Albuquerque and a nomination for a Quebec
Gemini Award (GŽmeau) in Montreal, Canada. The Fredericton (New Brunswick)
nativeÕs moniker has graced the credits of productions from the likes of the
CBC, Ubisoft, Global TV, and Alliance Atlantis.
Quotes
ÒHometown hit for Montreal
filmmaker. Christos Sourligas is winning ravesÉ the film has won over audiences
and critics alike with its lively dialogue, funny scenarios and winning coupleÉ
very strong lead performances and ace cinematographyÉ A sleeper hit wows the
crowdsÉÓ
- Matthew Hays, The Globe and
Mail
ÒRunaway ElephantÉ The Cinderella
story continues for Christos Sourligas, the Montreal filmmaker whoÕs been
wowing Ôem with his $10,000 debut featureÉ The romantic comedy -- which has the
look of a flick 100 times its budgetÉ is fast becoming the darling of the film
world. Ò
- Bill Brownstein, Montreal
Gazette (February 2005)
ÒFeature shot for $10,000. A shining
example of how the human will can still triumph over the human walletÉ one
impressive feature-length flickÉ a noirish romantic comedy that has the
sophistication of a film 100 times its budget.Ó
- Bill Brownstein, Montreal
Gazette (August 2004)
ÒElephant Shoes is a film that succeeds
on every level from its insightful, if not quirky, examination of love, to its
slick cinematography and entirely credible performances.Ó
- Louis B. Hobson, The Calgary
Sun
ÒThe acting here is flawless and the
dialogue will ring true for anyone who has ever dated someone as filler until
something better comes along. Perfect romantic comedyÉÓ
- Sarah Rowland, Montreal Mirror
ÒShamie and Lewis, the filmÕs only
cast members, are splendid in their roles. Each expresses convincing
vulnerability, though at completely different times, in a sharply written story
by director Christos Sourligas.Ó
- Bob Blakely, Calgary FFWD
ÒÉa deftly written, delicately acted
love story. A little miracle on a $10,000 budget, and the talented newcomer
actors, Stacie Morgain Lewis and Greg Shamie, steal the audienceÕs heart.Ó
- Gerald Peary, The Boston
Phoenix
Ò****Ó (4 stars out of 5) Sharply
scripted love storyÉ DonÕt cry out loud.Ó
- Bill Muller, The Arizona
Republic
Ò***1/2Ó (3.5 stars out of 4) Éa
delightful talkfest of a romantic comedy, ˆ la Before Sunrise.Ó
- Steve Rhodes, Rotten Tomatoes
-30-
Source: Leisa Lee 514.845.3155 x2258 – llee@hahaha.com
Christos Sourligas 514.845.3155 x2222
– csourligas@hahaha.com
Back to
MFG News