As L.A's most, if not only, successful playwright, Peter McGowan (Kenneth Branagh) has hit a creative and personal dry spell. After a string of box office flops, his new play is set to open, but the script isn't finished. McGowan decides to workshop the production, and in the process has to navigate a minefield of egos, feuding actors, and showbiz politics, ever cynical of the schmooze and cruise scene his producer insists on dragging him into. With his producer and cast insisting the ten-year-old character in the play doesn't ring true, he is challenged to develop a «real» child and finds himself blocked.

At home, his wife Melanie (Robin Wright Penn), a children's dance instructor, would like a child of her own, but Peter isn't ready for more distractions; he has his play to complete and his art itself to resurrect. Besides, his perpetually confused mother-in-law (Lynn Redgrave) has moved in and dealing with her is yet another challenge. On a good day she recognizes Peter as someone who resembles her son-in-law; at other times she chats with him about her imminent death. Peter also realizes he is being stalked - by a fan who thinks he's the real Peter. He reaches the brink of insanity when the neighbor's new dog starts barking in the night, exacerbating his insomnia.

When a recently separated woman and her young daughter Amy (Suzi Hofrichter) move next door, Melanie recognizes an opportunity to assuage her husband's awkwardness with children. Peter sees an opportunity to craft that «real» child for the play. Peter is eventually won over by Amy's charm and his observations turn into genuine affection. But a falling out between Peter and Amy's overprotective mom, Trina, puts an end to their friendship. By the time he is forced to say good-bye to Amy, his life has changed in ways he could never imagine.

«How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog» is written and directed by Michael Kalesniko (Howard Stern's «Private Parts»). Kenneth Branagh («Hamlet», «Celebrity») stars as playwright Peter McGowan. Robin Wright Penn («Forrest Gump», «Hurlyburly») stars as wife Melanie. Lynn Redgrave («Gods and Monsters», «Shine») portrays Edna. Jared Harris («Happiness», «Lush»), David Krumholtz («Liberty Heights», «Ten Things I Hate About You»), and Johnathan Schaech («Time of Your Life», «Hush») also star. Executive producer is Robert Redford with Avi Lerner, John Thompson, Dr. Rainer Bienger and Willi Baer serving as co-executive producers. Nancy M. Ruff, Michael Nozik and Brad Weston produce. Director of photography is Hubert Taczanowski. Stephen Lineweaver is production designer, Pamela Martin is editor, Mary Claire Hannan serves as costume designer and David Robbins is the composer.

ABOUT THE PRODUCTION

Lonsdale Productions

Writer/director Michael Kalesniko says, that although his script is not based on a true story, certain elements of it were gleaned from his own frustrating encounters with a detestable canine menace. «The truth is, my wife and I lived next door to a barking dog named ‘Baby’», Kalesniko confesses. «It was a white mongrel, an awful thing. So I made it a joke that I was going to write a book called ‘How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog and Other Acts of Suburban Terrorism’ and that just started becoming the title. I thought it would make a great title for a movie but I didn't know what the rest of the story was at that point.»

Michael Kalesniko and his wife, producer Nancy M. Ruff, first met while in film school. Ruff says she just «clicked» with Kalesniko's writing and wanted to help him realize it on screen. After forming their own company, Lonsdale Productions, the two worked on a number of projects, including Kalesniko's award-winning short «Algorithms». They also began making plans to shoot «How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog» in their own suburban backyard in Glendale, California. They intended to finance the feature themselves, but, over a three year period, other players came to the table.

«Three years seemed like a long, long time,» reflects producer Nancy M. Ruff. Making the film she says was like the old adage about starting a parade. «You walk down the street with a flag by yourself and all of a sudden everyone starts falling in behind you. It seemed like the minute we said we were going to do it, it all just started to happen. It has been really exciting.» Kalesniko's then agency CAA got behind the project, then Robert Redford's South Fork Pictures came on board and Millennium Films agreed to finance it.

Millennium Films

Millennium Films is a division of Nu Image, which has long been successful in producing action films for the foreign market. Millennium Films was created to make independent films such as «How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog», intended for theatrical distribution. Millennium's credits include «Shadrach» and «Guinevere». Other films include «Takedown», «The Big Brass Ring», «The Fourth Floor» and «Some Girls». On the horizon are «Anasazi Moon», «Crazy Love» and «Prozac Nation».

South Fork Pictures

South Fork Pictures was established to be the independent entity of Robert Redford's film company, Wildwood. Since its inception in 1995, South Fork has focused on emerging talent from the world of independent film and theater, as well as working with established filmmakers and writers seeking to make films outside of the regular studio system. It has produced «She's the One», and «Slums of Beverly Hills». In the future are «Nine Scenes About Love», «Around the Bend», and «Deaf Heaven».

With South Fork and Millennium backing «How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog», writer/director Kalesniko says he was thrilled to cast Kenneth Branagh in the lead role of L.A. playwright Peter McGowan. «Every first time director should be this lucky,» says Kalesniko. «When he did a take, so many times I just walked up and said ‘thank you’. He did such a wonderful job. He really nailed the character. He said to me at one point when we first met «you know you haven't realized, this character is me».

Branagh, honored with many awards including Academy award nominations for his performance in and direction of «Henry V» and for his film adaptation of «Hamlet» most recently starred on screen in Woody Allen's «Celebrity» and in his and Shakespeare’s «Love's Labour’s Lost.» Branagh says he was attracted to this script for many reasons, mainly that it was so well written. Speaking of his character in the film Branagh says «Peter is described as a curmudgeon, certainly acerbic, and certainly cynical. Much of this is a defense and protection against the world and against his own feelings which he, with a certain amount of British reserve, feels rather embarrassed about revealing. Many people are like this. They use a certain not so subtle form of aggression, sometimes a kind of verbal bludgeoning. He kind of bludgeons people with his intellect which I suspect is not as sharp as he thinks it is. It makes him complicated and I think compelling. Even if only compelling sometimes because you want to shake him. But in a way, the film is about that happening to him. He is shaken by events in his own life that surprise and transform him and I think it is an excellent part of Michael’s writing without being cliche or sentimental.

«People get driven mad by all the little things in life,» continues Branagh, «like the tops of coffee cups that don't work properly. That is the kind of thing times a thousand that Peter McGowan goes off on a rant about. It is amusing. You see him sort of lose control in a way and I think you get a precarious kick out of enjoying him say all the things perhaps you would never say because you would be scared or think people would be bored, but he goes ahead and says them. I think, and I hope a lot of people who see it identify with a man raging against all the silliness in life. Even though he is perhaps one of the silliest things in his own life but he doesn't say that which is also funny.»

Robin Wright Penn stars opposite Branagh as Peter’s wife Melanie. As an enthusiastic dance instructor, she loves to be surrounded by children and she longs to have a child of her own. Wright Penn, who made her motion picture debut in «The Princess Bride», earned world-wide notoriety and a Golden Globe nomination for her work in «Forrest Gump» opposite Tom Hanks. She has been recognized for her outstanding performances in such varied projects as «She’s So Lovely», «Loved» and for her starring role as «Moll Flanders.»

«I like the idea of casting against type,» says director Kalesniko of his decision to cast the popular actress. «Robin brings such an enormous warmth and humor to this character.»

«Robin has the touch for a terrific light comedian as well as being highly intelligent,» says Branagh, who says the two hit it off on the set, which translated well on camera. Of their on-screen relationship, Branagh says: «This is a very successful marriage in the sense of them being utterly committed to each other. But it is very normal in the sense of often irritating each other immensely and having spats at times. There needed to be a lot of trust between the two actors and I think we managed to develop that.

«A rather courageous element to the script is the lack of concern to make the central character utterly sympathetic at all times,» adds Branagh. «I think that makes it much more real. I don't know many saints and Peter McGowan certainly isn't one. But I know that for all his flawed human nature, there is something there that comes out of the script that Melanie recognizes. I think it makes Melanie seem intelligent, sometimes stoic, but you get the sense of why they are together by the end.»

Lynn Redgrave, one of the most respected performers in the entertainment industry stars as Melanie’s mother, Edna. A multi-award winning actress, Ms Redgrave most recently took the spotlight winning a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for «Gods and Monsters». She is known for being extremely versatile and says this past year offered her a wonderful variety of characters to portray, one of the most interesting being the role of Edna in «How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog.»

«I think this is a really funny and wonderful script,» says Redgrave. «In fact, I assumed it had been written for Ken (Branagh) when I first read it. Apparently it wasn't written with him in mind but it could have been because I can’t imagine anyone else playing it, quite honestly.»

As a woman battling Alzheimer's, Redgrave’s challenge as Edna was to portray a very real character with serious medical problems, with warmth and humor. «Edna is kind of behind a screen in a way,» explains Redgrave. «She is behind a gauze because she is losing it. She usually doesn’t know who her son-in-law is. Obviously she once did, but they have a kind of really lovely relationship because in the moments of lucidity it is a very fond one. It is probably the only relationship that you see Peter being able to actually sort of deal with to begin with.»

Redgrave says that her most enjoyable scene, where Edna kept getting lost on her way to the McGowan dining room, required no dialogue. «In filmmaking, there is something fascinating about trying to express something by thinking it,» she reflects. «If you think it clearly enough something will happen. Maybe your face changes color or something happens that is very small, that simply cannot be seen. I am not saying you can't do that on the stage, but just thinking it will not necessarily make it plain to the audience. You usually have to find something physical in a way that builds it up so that the person in the back row senses, perhaps even in the body language that thing; that on film can sometimes be done just by thought.»

«Lynn did a wonderful job,» comments director Michael Kalesniko. «We were talking about the bed scene - that to play it, there is a moment where she is aware, just for a moment that something is wrong and once you have awareness the awareness is big. In that bedroom scene the fear in her eyes was so immense; she absolutely did play it with her eyes all the time. She was just fantastic to work with.»

Johnathan Schaech was cast as «Adam» the insecure, but opinionated leading man in Peter’s struggling production. «It was a real stretch,» laughs Schaech, who currently stars in the new Fox series «Time of Your Life» opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt. «I am an actor, being an actor,» he smiles. «I went to a lot of actors who are real actors and asked them a lot of questions about being an actor to get some insight to prepare for the role. I interviewed so many actors and let me tell you something about actors - they are all so wrapped up in their own little worlds ….geez.»

In choosing this role Schaech says: «When they told me it was with Kenneth Branagh and Robin Wright Penn, I got on my knees and I prayed like I have never prayed before, and here I am - it worked.» Luckily the producers of «Time of Your Life» were accommodating and scheduled his series around this project.

«This is one of the funniest scripts I have ever read,» says Schaech, «the first time I read it, the second time and the third time I read it. I went home for the weekend and when I read it again, it was just wonderful - a very funny script, very intelligent; something very bright.»

Of his character Schaech says that Adam is not «the boob» he appears to be. «He is a lost, needy soul, Adam is. He is coming from a world where he is under-respected and searching for respect and very much wants to be appreciated for the actor he thinks he is. He is used to doing soaps and now he is getting really good quality material to play with. He is so excited. He wants to be so good.

«My character is watching Peter, trying to be Peter, because he is realizing that he is the writer and he is writing about himself,» Schaech continues. «So he tries to pick up some traits so he can perform and find something to play with. But then there is another layer that he is a writer/director so that Kenneth playing Peter has to watch Michael (Kalesniko) because he’s the writer/director, because he is the writer of the play as well as the writer of the screenplay. It is just so complicated,» laughs Schaech. «Everyone is everyone else. It's just intermingling. It is unbelievable.»

In searching for the actress to portray young Amy Walsh, director Michael Kalesniko gambled on a relative newcomer to the industry, ten-year-old Suzy Hofrichter. Although she had done commercials and several photo shoots, she had only one television movie on her resume -Sally Field's «The Christmas Tree».

Bright, outspoken and at times, fearful, the character of Amy is an only child in a single parent household. Although she has a mild physical disability, Amy’s handicap is more of an emotional nature, fueled by the undermining remarks of her overprotective mother.

«It turned out to be perfect casting;» says Kalesniko. «Suzy is an absolute gem, and I know everybody on the set was not only amazed with her natural talent but they truly loved this girl.»

«Suzy is a natural actress,» agrees Kenneth Branagh. «She seems to have a natural aptitude for the screen. And because the relationship between the two of us was so important to the story- that it should be convincing and in the end quite deep, it was very important that we in some way strike up a rapport. We did. I loved working with her and having her around. She provided a really terrific input into the picture and lifted it. She was a joy to act with.»

Of his character's decision to open up to Amy, to finally connect and help her to let go of her inhibitions, Branagh says «Peter definitely engages in and executes the consequences of his opinions. It is a dangerous thing, but he is full of opinions, including in this case, of how this lovely little girl from next door is being brought up. It is debatable as to whether or not what her mom is up to is absolutely great for that kid or any kid, and he gets involved. In a way, you start to understand why he, perhaps, does protect himself through cynicism and satire and sarcasm a lot of the time because were he to let this rather complicated, richly feeling individual out, it would often, as it does at the end of this film, get him into trouble. But that is part of the conflict and part of the drama which makes him nice and messy as so much of life is.»

In designing the film, understanding the central character of Peter McGowan, portrayed by Branagh was essential. Cinematographer Hubert Taczanowski worked closely with production designer Stephen Lineweaver and costume designer Mary Claire Hannan to create a recognizably English ambiance.

«Everything is through Peter's point of view,» explains director Michael Kalesniko. «Peter is an anglophile and it should always be Britain in Peter's mind. We were shooting an L.A. winter but we shot it in a way that you felt like you always needed to put on a sweater. We absolutely threw out the typical California color palette and have gone with nothing but the British Isles color palette - darker and cooler. Everything more saturated.»

Instead of being set in the writer/director Michael Kalesniko's grassy backyard in California, as he envisioned when the script was originally created, the film shot in and around Vancouver, Canada, where the seemingly endless rain ceased at times convenient to the shooting schedule, providing bright «California» sun in addition to the appropriate moody gray cloud cover.

Oddly enough, one of the biggest challenges for the location manager was trying to try to find a house in Vancouver that could exist in L.A.; a house with a pool. «I didn't really think how scarce pools might be; pools there are not the norm,» comments production designer Stephen Lineweaver. «We actually talked about scenarios about how we could give it up, but the director did not want to. Our location manager was extremely good and he came up with this place which actually had six palm trees and other various L.A. trees around the pool and an office that was incredibly interesting, which is the soul of Peter's character in the movie. In a landscape dominated by Douglas Firs, pine and deciduous trees finding a palm-treed oasis was no small feat. The next challenge was to add a few scenic elements reminiscent of Los Angeles. We built a little hamburger stand on a strip that looked much like Ventura Boulevard,» Lineweaver explains. «We happened to get a sunny day, and that helped us in a big way. We had a whole week of night rain, which in my opinion is something we wouldn't have had in L.A., which serves the kind of surreal scenes of Peter and-False Peter and their journey together.»

Vancouver's Cypress Bowl Ski Resort was booked as a location. «In L.A. when you get up on Mulholland Drive there's a sea of light,» Lineweaver continues. «That was the closest thing we found to that feeling. But of course, on the day of shooting it was clouded in and we wouldn’t have seen anything. We had to punt.» The production ended up moving to Queen Elizabeth Park, with its incredibly beautiful gardens built within a long dormant volcano. Although the altitude was much lower, the desired lighting effect came across on film.

Kalesniko says he and his design team went for a very different and somewhat jarring look when Peter is in the theater. As a playwright in L.A., he is at times totally out of his world. «The colors are bright; they are dazzling,» explains Kalesniko. «There are far too many lights. Peter is uncomfortable. It is one of the few moments in the movie we shot handheld so that we are also feeling a bit overwhelmed by him and are feeling nauseated or seasick. The feel is completely crowded and claustrophobic.»

Vancouver's Vogue Theater provided the backdrop for Peter’s play in rehearsal. In creating the look of the film’s theater scenes, production designer Lineweaver relied on his own personal experience. He is currently producing a stage production in L.A. and says the trend in live theater now is somewhat minimalist. «That was a little jewel for me; being able to do what I’ve seen and appreciated over the last year in L.A. It has been fun to be able to design a theater set within a movie.

«L.A. is not Peter’s personality,» Lineweaver continues. «The colors of the interiors that surround Peter are evident of his personal comfort level in that situation. In Debra’s Corner (during the television interview) we used poppy colors that don't really suit his personality. We used different colors when he's in the proctologist’s office and the peach pink room (in the gynecologist’s office) where he’s looking at posters of female interiors. That was fun to find visuals that were so opposed to who he is.»

Of the final product writer-director Michael Kalesniko says, «I have no expectation of the audience except that I hope they will laugh a lot, they will cry at the end and that they will walk back to their cars whistling Petula Clark tunes.»

«I hope they will be entertained and moved,» adds Kenneth Branagh. «I think it is very smart, highly intelligent writing, and unusual in the way that it depicts grown up relationships. It is very funny and has quite an emotional punch at the end. You can’t ask for more than that.»

ABOUT THE CAST

Kenneth Branagh (Peter McGowan)

Kenneth Branagh has made a significant impact in motion pictures as an actor, director, writer and producer, appearing most recently on screen in Woody Allen’s «Celebrity» and Robert Altman’s «The Gingerbread Man». Branagh studied at England’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his professional debut in the hit «Another Country», followed by several other plays. He then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he performed in «Love’s Labors Lost», «Hamlet», «King Lear» and «A Midsummer Night’s Dream».

After making his film debut in 1987 in «High Season», he appeared in «A Month in the Country», and then directed, adapted and starred in the critically acclaimed «Henry V», for which he received BAFTA and National Board of Review Awards for Best Director. He then directed and starred in «Dead Again», produced, directed and starred in «Peter’s Friends», and appeared in «Swing Kids». He starred in, directed and adapted Shakespeare’s « Much Ado About Nothing», starred in and directed «Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein», directed and wrote the screenplay for «In The Bleak Midwinter»; narrated «Anne Frank Remembered» starred opposite Laurence Fishburne in «Othello», and produced, directed, adapted and starred in «Hamlet».

Branagh received an Academy Award nomination in 1992 for Best Live Action Short Film for «Swan Song». For his work on «Henry V», Branagh received an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and Best Director, as well as the European Film Awards’ Felix Award for Best Direction, Best Actor and Best New Film. For his work on «Hamlet», Branagh received an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. For «Othello», he was nominated for a screen Actors Guild Award as Best Supporting Actor. In 1993, Branagh received BAFTA’s Michael Balcon Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema. Branagh’s recent acting credits include 1997’s «The Proposition», «The Theory of Flight» and the upcoming «Alien Love Triangle», the last directed by Danny Boyle. He is currently working on a musical film version of «Love’s Labors Lost».

Robin Wright Penn (Melanie McGowan)

Since her motion picture debut in «The Princess Bride», Robin Wright Penn has enjoyed a distinguished career, garnering worldwide acclaim as one of the most interesting and versatile actresses in the industry. In 1997, Wright Penn received prestigious award recognition for her leading roles in two films: for «She’s So Lovely» (co-starring Sean Penn and John Travolta), she earned a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture; for «Loved» (co-starring William Hurt), a special presentation at the Toronto Film Festival, Wright Penn won the Best Actress Award at the Seattle Film Festival and received an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

Wright Penn was most recently seen in the independent film «Hurlyburly», directed by Anthony Drazen and co-starring Sean Penn, Kevin Spacey, Meg Ryan, Chazz Palminteri and Anna Paquin. Prior to her performance in «Moll Flanders», Wright Penn co-starred with Tom Hanks and Sally Field in the international box office hit «Forrest Gump» which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Her other credits include «Toys» (directed by Barry Levinson and starring Robin Williams), «The Playboys» (directed by Gilles MacKinnon and starring Albert Finney and Aiden Quinn), «State of Grace» (directed by Phil Joanou and starring Sean Penn, Ed Harris and Gary Oldman), «The Crossing Guard» (directed by Sean Penn) and «Denial» (starring Jason Patric).

Lynn Redgrave (Edna)

After almost four decades, Lynn Redgrave remains on top of her profession. Already this year, Redgrave has completed work on the features «Deeply», co-starring Kirstin Dunst, «Venus and Mars», directed by Harry Mastrogeorge and John Schlesinger’s «The Next Best Thing», co-starring Madonna, Rupert Everett and Benjamin Bratt. Other recent film credits include «The Simian Line» with Samantha Mathis, Cindy Crawford and Harry Connick Jr., «The Annihilation of Fish» co-starring James Earl Jones and Margot Kidder and «Touched» directed by Mort Ransen.

London-born Redgrave studied at the Central School of Music and Drama in London before making her professional debut in the Royal Court Theater’s 1962 production of «A Midsummer Night’s Dream». The following year, she helped found Britain's National Theater (now the Royal National Theater) under the tutelage of Sir Laurence Olivier. Her first feature film was the bawdy «Tom Jones», shot the same year that she made her Broadway debut in «Black Comedy» with Michael Crawford. From there she landed the film role that launched her into the international spotlight «Georgy Girl». For her outstanding performance, she won a Golden Globe for Best Actress, the New York Film Critics’ Award and an Academy Award nomination for best actress. For her performance in the 1998 film «Gods and Monsters», Redgrave won a Golden Globe for Best Actress, and an Academy Award nomination. Her outstanding performance as the mother of pianist David Helfgott in «Shine» earned Redgrave a nomination for British Academy Awards Best Supporting Actress. Among her many notable roles: The Queen in Woody Allen's «Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex» (1972), the title role in «The Happy Hooker» (1975), Mrs. Warren's Profession for which she won a 1976 Tony, Ann Anderson in «House Calls» (1981) for which she received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations, «Death of a Son» for which she won the 1989 BBC Best Television Actress award.

Redgrave currently stars in the late night comedy series «Rude Awakening» and the miniseries «Different».

Suzi Hofrichter (Amy Walsh)

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ten-year-old Suzi Hofrichter captured the attention of director Michael Kalesniko and producer Nancy M. Ruff after Ruff viewed her performance in the Disney television production of «The Christmas Tree», directed by Sally Field and starring Julie Harris. Hofrichter portrayed Harris as a young girl. She has been featured in several television commercials including a national «My McDonalds» ad and appeared extensively in print advertisements for such diverse organizations as the Food Bank of Pittsburgh, Kaufmann’s, Hills Department Store, Rite Aid Pharmacy, and was featured on the Western Express Catalog cover. An active youngster, Hofrichter has studied voice, baton, tap and jazz and has interests in swimming, diving, ice-skating and cycling. A natural talent, Suzy Hofrichter is one performer to watch. She has a bright future on the big screen.

Jared Harris (False Peter)

With five upcoming films and roles in such critically acclaimed movies as «I Shot Andy Warhol», «Sunday» and «Happiness», Jared Harris has garnered the reputation of playing varied and unique characters with continued success and high regard. He recently wrapped production on the independent film «Lush» which he stars in with Campbell Scott and Laura Linney. He also completed production on the independent film, «The Weekend» based on Peter Cameron’s highly acclaimed novel of the same name.

Harris has also completed production on Director Hu Xiao Ping’s «Shadow Magic», shot entirely on location in China. In it, Harris stars as Raymond Wallace, a down-on-his-luck nickelodeon man who visits China with the West’s latest invention on him - the moving picture. He also completed production on the indie film «Bullfighter» and will appear in Danish recording star Rune Bendixen's directorial debut along with Donnie Wahlberg, Willem Dafoe and Michael Parks. For his memorable appearance in Todd Solondz’s critically acclaimed black comedy, «Happiness», as a Russian cab driver opposite Jane Adams, Lara Flynn Boyle and Phillip Seymour Hoffinan, Harris helped to earn the cast the 1999 National Board of Review Acting Ensemble Award.

Harris made his breakthrough performance in the 1996 critically acclaimed independent film, «I Shot Andy Warhol». The film starred Harris as Warhol, with Lili Taylor playing the role of his would-be -assassin, Valerie Solanas. In 1997, Harris received rave reviews for his work in two films at the Sundance Film Festival. He played a New York homeless man in Jonathan's Nossiter’s «Sunday» which won the Sundance Grand Jury Prize and a prize for its Screenwriting. He also produced «Hurricane Streets» which took home the festival prize for Audience Award, Cinematography and Best Director (Morgan J. Freeman).

Other film credits include «Father’s Day» with Billy Crystal and Robin Williams, «Dead Man» with Johnny Depp and «Far and Away» in which he was cast as Tom Cruise’s brother. Harris also joined the ensemble of Wayne Wang and Paul Auster’s acclaimed «Smoke» as Harvey Keitel’s simple side-kick.

Harris, the son of famed Irish actor Richard Harris, was born in London, England, and educated at Duke University where he was a Drama and Literature major. After graduating, Harris returned to England to become a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. While on vacation in New York in 1990, Harris auditioned for, and won, the role of Hotspur in the New York Shakespeare Company. Harris also starred with Val Kilmer and Jeanne Trippelhorn in the 1992 production of «T’is Pity She’s A Whore» at the Public Theater. In 1995 he won an Obie award for his performance in the off-Broadway production of «Ecstasy».

Harris currently resides in New York City.

Peter Riegert (Larry)

A native of New York City, Peter Riegert has worked both in film and television. He recently completed «Passion of Mind», a romantic thriller about a woman who leads a double life in her dreams. He starred in «Scandalous Me: The Jacqueline Susann Story», and in «High Life», a film about gambling. Riegert stars opposite Stockard Channing in «The Baby Dance». They portray a young couple desperate to have a child, desperate enough to try almost anything. Laura Dern also stars.

As Stanley in «Jerry & Tom», a story of moonlighting hitmen, Riegert stars opposite Joe Mantagna and Sam Rockwell. Other television credits include: «Face Down», «An Element of Truth», «Gypsy», and the television series «Middle Ages», and «Ellis Island», to name a few.

Riegert made notable guest appearances on the «Seinfeld», «Law & Order», and «M*A*S*H*». For film, Riegert appeared in «National Lampoon Goes to the Movies» and «Animal House».

David Krumholtz (Brian Sellars)

At the age of 21, David Krumholz is well on his way to becoming one of today’s most accomplished young actors. He made his Broadway debut at age 13 as Young Charlie in «Conversations with My Father», appearing with Tony Award winner Judd Hirsch. He went on to perform in seven films and numerous television roles. David Krumholz was recently seen in «Ten Things I hate About You» opposite Julia Stiles for Touchstone. He got the role hot off the heels of his remarkable performance in «Slums of Beverly Hills» opposite Natasha Lyonne. As Natasha Lyonne’s character’s older brother, Ben Abramowitz, David gives the scene stealing performance where he sings Sinatra in his underwear. David Krumholz can next be seen in Barry Levinson's film «Liberty Heights» for Warner Bros. He made his big screen debut in the comedy «Life with Mickey» opposite Nathan Lane and Michael J. Fox. He played Barry Corman, the obnoxious child star. Directly after that, he portrayed Christina Ricci’s love interest Joel Glicker in «Addams Family Values». His other film credits include Ang Lee’s «The Ice Storm» and Tim Allen’s «The Santa Clause» as Bernard, the elf who guides Tim Allen through the North Pole.

His numerous television credits include series regular roles on Fox’s «Monty» opposite David Schwimmer and NBC’s «Chicago Suns» as well as guest appearance on «Law & Order». He made his Broadway debut at age 13 as Young Charlie in «Conversations With My Father», appearing with Tony Award winner Judd Hirsch. He just completed shooting the pilot «People Who Fear People» for ABC and Paramount.

Jonathan Schaech (Adam)

Jonathan Schaech will see his career escalate to new heights in 1999 as one of the hottest young talents in Hollywood today. Born and raised in Edgewood, Maryland, Schaech entered the University of Maryland to study economics but abruptly changed career paths, leaving the intended life as a lawyer behind in Baltimore and moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. Upon his arrival, Schaech sought out and studied with famed coach Roy London for four years.

Currently, Schaech stars in the new Fox series «Time of Your Life», opposite Jennifer Love Hewitt. This past pilot season, Jonathan starred as a young cop in the new CBS drama «Partners», produced by Keyser-Lippman (Party of Five). He will next be seen in Gregg Araki's newest film «Splendor» which was screened at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and will be released this fall.

1998 was a breakthrough year for Jonathan as he starred in five very different roles. He costarred with Jessica Lange and Gwyneth Paltrow in the Tristar thriller, «Hush». He also appeared in «Welcome to Woop Woop» for director Stephan Elliot («The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert») as an irresistible New York con man who flees to Australia hoping to escape his troubles.

Last fall, Jonathan was seen in two films which hit the festival circuit. The Toronto Film Festival entry «Graceland», opposite Harvey Keitel in the story of an eccentric drifter (Keitel), claiming to be Elvis Presley. He also starred opposite Guy Pearce and Emily Lloyd in the director Roberta Hanley’s «Woundings», which appeared at the AFI Film Festival in Los Angeles. Also, in December, Jonathan appeared as the legendary Harry Houdini in «Harry Houdini», directed by Pen Densham (Moll Flanders), which aired on TNT.

Schaech took a giant leap from his first small role in Webber’s «15 Minutes», to a leading man in Franco Zefferelli's «The Sparrow», which was filmed in Sicily and released internationally. He then starred in Greg Araki's «The Doom Generation» and landed the role of Winona Ryder’s love interest in «How to make an American Quilt». Jonathan also starred as the serious-minded lead singer and song writer Jimmy, in the Tom Hanks scripted and directed film «That Thing You Do».

Jonathan is quickly earning a reputation as one of the most sought after actors of his generation. With his extraordinary talent and stunning good looks, one never has to wonder why.

Lucinda Jenney (Trina Walsh)

The new millennium has proven to be a busy time for this popular actress, with no less than four projects already completed. She recently starred in the independent feature «Crime and Punishment in High School», directed by Rob Schmidt, starring Ellen Barkin and James DeBello, and in «Desert Blue» written and directed by Morgan J. Freeman, a comedy about an academic whose obsession with roadside attractions leads to a strange adventure. Other recent projects include «Remember the Titans», and «Thirteen Days». Her impressive list of motion picture credits includes «Practical Magic», directed by Griffin Dunne, «Deep End of the Ocean», starring Michele Pfeiffer, «What Dreams May Come», with Robin Williams and «G.I. Jane», opposite Demi Moore. For her work in Avenue Pictures «American Heart», Ms. Jenney was nominated for an IFP Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress.

For the small screen, Jenney has guest starred on several popular television series including NYPD Blue, «Homicide: Life on the Street», and «Spenser: For Hire». She was a series regular on ABC’s «High Incident», with a recurring role on «The Visitor» for Fox.

A seasoned stage performer, Lucinda Jenney has appeared at the Williamstown Theater Festival and the New York Shakespeare Festival

Peri Gilpin (Debra Selhany)

Peri Gilpin is perhaps best known for her comedic portrayal of Roz Doyle, Dr. Crane’s sarcastic but lovable radio producer on the Emmy-Award winning «Frasier».

Born in Waco, Texas, Peri Gilpin grew up in Dallas. She studied at the Dallas Theater Center, moving on to further her theatrical studies at the University of Texas at Austin and then at London’s British-American Academy.

Ms. Gilpin has guest-starred on many of television’s most popular situation comedies including «Designing Women», «Cheers», «Matlock», «Outer Limits» and «Wings». Prior to joining the cast of «Frasier», she starred on two NBC series as a regular – «Local Heroes», and «Flesh and Blood».

With an impressive list of stage credits Peri Gilpin has performed in Los Angeles in productions of «The Maderati», and «Women of Manhattan», and on the New York stage in «Lucky Lucy and the Fortune Man», and «Don Juan».

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

Michael Kalesniko (writer-director)

Michael Kalesniko wrote the screenplay for «Howard Stern’s Private Parts», a Paramount picture released in 1997. He recently rewrote «Bubble Boy» for Disney which begins production in October with Blair Hayes directing. He is presently writing «Bad Timing» for Steve Reuther’s Bel Air Pictures.

Kalesniko has done rewrite work for Will Smith, Billy Crystal and Danny DeVito as well as Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment.

Kalesniko previously wrote and directed the award winning short «Algorithms». He won the Nissan FOCUS award for screenwriting in 1990.

He will next be directing «Cock ‘n Bull», scheduled to begin shooting in spring 2001. His partner in Lonsdale Productions, Nancy M. Ruff, will be producing. She previously produced «How To Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog».

Kalesniko was born in Trail, British Columbia, Canada. He received his B.A. in Writing from the University of Victoria in 1985 and his B.A. in film and video production from Columbia College Hollywood in 1990. He has worked at various times as a reporter, a gravedigger, a high school English teacher in the arctic and a bartender in London, England.

Robert Redford (executive producer)

Avi Lerner (co-executive producer)

Avi Lerner is co-chairman of Nu Image Inc., the film distribution company which owns Millennium Films.

One of the most prolific producers of international movies on the global scene, Lerner was born and raised in Israel where he studied economics and social sciences at the University of Tel-Aviv and served as a paratrooper and officer in the Israeli Army. His career in the film industry began as the manager of Israel's first drive-in cinema which he eventually purchased and still owns today. After acquiring several cinemas, he opened a specialized distribution company and began producing low budget Israeli movies. Lerner expanded into the South African movie market in 1984 after serving as executive producer of "King Solomon's Mines" in Zimbabwe. Success of the project led to a sequel – «Alan Quartermain and the Lost City of Gold».

In 1986, Lerner founded Nu Metro Entertainment Group and went on to produce more than 50 pictures in Zimbabwe and South Africa including «My African Adventure», «American Ninja 2», «Fair Trade», «Platoon Leader», Agatha Christie’s «Ten Little Indians» and Alistair Maclean’s «River of Death».

Lerner formed Nu Image in 1991 with Danny Dimbort, Trevor Short and Danny Lerner, moving into international production and distribution with «Woman of Desire», «Cyborg Cop I and Cyborg Cop II», «Warriors», «Freefall», and «F.T.W».

Nu Image has produced over 100 motion pictures in the last eight years, including most recently «The Last Days of Frankie the Fly». Other credits include «The Maker», «Danger Zone», «Shadrach», «Guinevere», «Fourth Floor», and «Big Brass Ring».

Nu Image and Millennium Films currently have an output deal with Miramax/Dimension to distribute some of their pictures domestically. Nu Image and Millennium produce ten to twelve pictures annually.

Willi Baer (co-executive producer)

After graduating from college in his native Germany, Willi Baer worked as the culture editor for a variety of daily newspapers and weekly magazines. In 1978, he established Cinema, where he served as chief editor and publisher until 1988. Simultaneously he worked as -a managing partner of Kinoverlag (now called Verlagsgruppe Milchstrasse) where he developed and published various news magazines. In 1988, he sold the publisher shares to Rizzoli and started the Hamburg-based Connexion Film with Dr. Bodo Scriba and Rolf Deyhle. Baer set up an international production company and German distribution company and scored with box-office success like «Four Weddings and a Funeral», «The Mask», and «Dumb and Dumber». In conjunction with Universal, Baer produced such films as Brian de Palma’s «Carlito’s Way», «The Real McCoy», «The Shadow» and «Shattered». His other co-productions include «My Life» with Columbia and «Nobody’s Fool» with Paramount. He also executive produced Robert Altman’s «Afterglow».

More recently, Baer executive produced «Cookie’s Fortune», Francis Ford Coppola’s «Virgin Suicides», and «A Map of the World». Other recent executive producer credits include Alec Baldwin’s «Thick as Thieves» and «The Big Brass Ring».

Nancy M. Ruff (producer)

Nancy M. Ruff and writer/director Michael Kalesniko are partners in Lonsdale Productions. Projects in development at Lonsdale include «Cock ‘n Bull» and «Hangman». Past producing projects include «Spoiler» and «Hangups» and Kalesniko’s award-winning short, «Algorithms». Ruff has produced numerous short films and recently completed «Wrinkle».

Ruff has worked in various capacities on a number of projects, including narrative, educational media, cable production, sporting events and experimental/performance art. She produced a series of one-act plays, directing one, «Baiting ». In 1997 she co-founded and was executive director of the inaugural Los Angeles Short Film Festival. She is a South Jersey native now living in Glendale, California.

Brad Weston (producer)

Brad Weston has experience in marketing, development and production. No longer with Millennium, Weston's first project for the company in 1993 under that umbrella was «Guinivere».

The film premiered at Sundance in 1999 and Miramax released it domestically. Under the joint venture with Miramax, Weston has also produced «Takedown» with Joe Chapelle directing. Also completing production in 1998 was «The 4th Floor» with Juliette Lewis and William Hurt starring for first time writer/director Josh Klausner.

Weston recently completed Millennium’s upcoming film «Prozac Nation» based on the best-selling novel by Elizabeth Wurtzel. Christina Ricci stars and Weston produce with Galt Neiderhoffer.

Prior to his position at Millennium, Weston had a producing deal at Columbia Pictures and produced the Hollywood Pictures feature film «Super Mario Bros». Before he became producer, Weston worked at Lucasfilm, where he was responsible for the highly successful promotional tie-ins for the feature films, «Willow» and «Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade».

Michael Nozik (producer)

Hubert Taczanowski (director of photography)

Hubert Taczanowski is an extremely talented and well-respected cinematographer. Some of his credits include «How to Kill Your Neighbor’s Dog», «Turn It Up», «Break Up», «The Opposite of Sex», «Buddy Boy» and «The Young Poisoner’s Handbook». He served as director of photography on the television series «Sins of the City», and on T.V.’s «Last Exit to Earth». Born in Poland, he now resides in New York City.

Stephen J. Lineweaver (production designer)

Stephen Lineweaver most recently served as production designer for Millennium Films’ «Loving Lulu». His resume includes many notable design credits for such films as «The Other Sister», «Jerry Maguire», «Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls». He also created the look for «City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold», «This Boy’s Life» and «Singles». Lineweaver’s credits as art director are for such films as «Dirty Dancing», «Something Wild», and «After Hours». He has served as a visual consultant for television’s «The Simpsons» and «The Tracey Ullman Show».