Gardens of the Night (2008)

After being abducted as children, and suffering years of abuse, a teenage boy and girl find themselves living on the street.

Director:

Damian Harris

Writer:

Damian Harris

Stars:

Gillian Jacobs, John Malkovich, Ryan Simpkins

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gillian Jacobs	...	Leslie
John Malkovich	...	Michael
Ryan Simpkins	...	Young Leslie
Tom Arnold	...	Alex
Kevin Zegers	...	Frank
Jermaine Scooter Smith	...	Young Donnie (as Jermaine 'Scooter' Smith)
Harold Perrineau	...	Orlando
Jeremy Sisto	...	Jimmy
Raynold Gideon	...	Judge Feeney
Cornelia Guest	...	Mrs. Feeney
Natalie May	...	Judge's Daughter
Ben Lin	...	Pa
Alice Lo	...	Ma
Evan Ross	...	Donnie
Landall Goolsby	...	Blackberry John

Storyline

An 8-year-old girl is taken from her home and convinced that her family does not want her anymore. After enduring years of horror, she and her fellow victim are dumped by their capturers. Now, 17 years old and no one to turn to except each other, they do their best to survive life on the streets, until one day she finally accepts the help of a shelter counselor to find her way home. However, what she truly finds is the love of her life and that you can never go back. "Gardens of the Night", is a haunting, gritty and topical story which delves deep into the world of child abduction and where it often leads... for the "lucky ones." The writer/director, Damian Harris bases his story on the kids, counselors, cops and pimps he met during two years of research.

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Plot Keywords:

girl | abuse | shelter | teenage boy | pimp | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing content involving sexual exploitation of a child, language, sexual content and some drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 November 2008 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Belmont Park, San Diego, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Station3, Fastback Pictures, Shoot Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The homeless shelter that the adult Leslie visits is located in the Little Italy section of downtown San Diego. In real life it is not a homeless shelter, but as of March of 2010 the building is home to a local car rental business.

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Quotes

Young Leslie: [first lines - reading] The marsh ended in a broad plain where the light twinkled. It was a long time since Mowgli had concerned himself with the doings of men. "I will look", he said, "and I will see how far the Man-Pack has changed." The door of the hut opened, and a woman stood peering into the darkness. "Who calls?", said the woman, a quiver in her voice. "Have you forgotten?", said Mowgli. His throat was dry as he spoke.

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Soundtracks

"Good things"
Written by b. white
Performed by Gogogo airheart

User Reviews

Tough

This movie is really tough and some people have or had problems with it's themes (check the synopsis if you have no problem with a bit of a spoiler), but I love it for being so bold and not shying away from taking any punches.

The performances are central to this movie and although they are mostly dark (you haven't seen Tom Arnold like this before) and you don't really fee like they are likable, you get that the circumstances made them the way they are. Either you take them as they are and the decisions they make or you won't like it at all. A feel good movie this ain't ...