MFG NEWS

Posted: March 16, 2006

Posted by: MFG Member Christos Sourigas, Filmmaker

Subject: Christos’s first feature: Elephant Shoes - opening at AMC Forum 22 this week

Screening Dates: March 17, 2006 - March 24^th, 2006 (longer if the run is extended)

Local Award-Winning Feature Elephant Shoes Opens on March 17^th!

Just in time for spring, Montrealers will be saying “elephant shoes”

(looks like you’re saying “I love you”, 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 17^th, 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 producer’s 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 Polley’s 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 Rideout’s 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 (Gémeau) in Montreal, Canada. The Fredericton (New Brunswick) native’s moniker has graced the credits of productions from the likes of the CBC, Ubisoft, Global TV, and Alliance Atlantis.

Quotes

“Hometown hit for Montreal filmmaker. Christos Sourligas is winning raves… the film has won over audiences and critics alike with its lively dialogue, funny scenarios and winning couple… very strong lead performances and ace cinematography… A sleeper hit wows the crowds…”

- Matthew Hays, The Globe and Mail

“Runaway Elephant… The Cinderella story continues for Christos Sourligas, the Montreal filmmaker who’s been wowing ‘em with his $10,000 debut feature… The romantic comedy -- which has the look of a flick 100 times its budget… is fast becoming the darling of the film world. “

- Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette (February 2005)

“Feature shot for $10,000. A shining example of how the human will can still triumph over the human wallet… one impressive feature-length flick… a noirish romantic comedy that has the sophistication of a film 100 times its budget.”

- Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette (August 2004)

“Elephant 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.”

- Louis B. Hobson, The Calgary Sun

“The 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 comedy…”

- Sarah Rowland, Montreal Mirror

“Shamie and Lewis, the film’s 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.”

- Bob Blakely, Calgary FFWD

“…a 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 audience’s heart.”

- Gerald Peary, The Boston Phoenix

“****” (4 stars out of 5) Sharply scripted love story… Don’t cry out loud.”

- Bill Muller, The Arizona Republic

“***1/2” (3.5 stars out of 4) …a delightful talkfest of a romantic comedy, à la Before Sunrise.”

- 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