"SLEEPING AND WAKING" - An Indie That Delivers by Laura Ballou, D.C. Examiner, May 14th, 2010 10:47 pm ET (Reprint: http: //www. examiner.com/ new-movies-in- washington-dc/ sleeping- and- waking -an- indie- that- delivers)
What would you sacrifice to have a second chance at life? Most of us would take that chance to be here longer with the ones we loved. But what if your choice stripped you of your soul? What if in the process you lost yourself? What would happen to the relationships that were most important to you? "Sleeping and Waking" will bring you so close to the characters and storyline that you will be asking yourself these same questions after seeing the movie.
"Sleeping and Waking" is a sci-fi romantic drama that explores questions of identity, relationships, and faith. Sullivan Daniels, played by Jeff Allin, is an artist whose faith is expressed through his artwork. After choosing to undergo a radical operation to save his life from terminal cancer, Sully finds himself disconnected from himself, his loved ones, and from God. Jeff Allin, a veteran TV, film, and stage actor, brings to the screen an honest portrayal of a man who is in the darkest time of his life. Jeff has the ability to transform an unlikeable character to one the audience feels not only sympathetic but empathetic towards. "What he went through was compelling to me," Jeff said, "Sullivan recreated himself." He hopes the film will inspire audiences to "take what they want out of their own experiences and create conversation."
"Sleeping and Waking" was filmed locally in the DC area and produced by Jeff Koeppel of Tontine Films. Originally a stage play written by Chris Stezin, "Sleeping and Waking" was adapted for the big screen in collaboration with Joe Banno, the director of the film. Mr. Banno has been directing various stage productions in the DC area for the last twenty five years, and this is his first feature film. His productions at DC area theaters have won eight Helen Hayes Awards and have been nominated for 32 other prestigious awards. "I've often wondered what an indie film studio might look like if it were based on a small professional theater model," said Mr. Banno. "I bet it would look a lot like our production of Sleeping and Waking." Together Mr. Banno and Mr. Stezin have created a story that weaves narratives, sci-fi elements, and faith questions into a film with a cast of characters that embodies everyman.
Viewers will be entranced scene by scene following Sully on his journey. The film keeps the audience engaged by revealing elements of the story slowly and not all at once. Mr. Banno hopes the audience will, "intuit what is going on." Please don't think you will be left hanging; "Sleeping and Waking" is natural storytelling at its best."
What would you sacrifice to have a second chance at life? Most of us would take that chance to be here longer with the ones we loved. But what if your choice stripped you of your soul? What if in the process you lost yourself? What would happen to the relationships that were most important to you? "Sleeping and Waking" will bring you so close to the characters and storyline that you will be asking yourself these same questions after seeing the movie.
"Sleeping and Waking" is a sci-fi romantic drama that explores questions of identity, relationships, and faith. Sullivan Daniels, played by Jeff Allin, is an artist whose faith is expressed through his artwork. After choosing to undergo a radical operation to save his life from terminal cancer, Sully finds himself disconnected from himself, his loved ones, and from God. Jeff Allin, a veteran TV, film, and stage actor, brings to the screen an honest portrayal of a man who is in the darkest time of his life. Jeff has the ability to transform an unlikeable character to one the audience feels not only sympathetic but empathetic towards. "What he went through was compelling to me," Jeff said, "Sullivan recreated himself." He hopes the film will inspire audiences to "take what they want out of their own experiences and create conversation."
"Sleeping and Waking" was filmed locally in the DC area and produced by Jeff Koeppel of Tontine Films. Originally a stage play written by Chris Stezin, "Sleeping and Waking" was adapted for the big screen in collaboration with Joe Banno, the director of the film. Mr. Banno has been directing various stage productions in the DC area for the last twenty five years, and this is his first feature film. His productions at DC area theaters have won eight Helen Hayes Awards and have been nominated for 32 other prestigious awards. "I've often wondered what an indie film studio might look like if it were based on a small professional theater model," said Mr. Banno. "I bet it would look a lot like our production of Sleeping and Waking." Together Mr. Banno and Mr. Stezin have created a story that weaves narratives, sci-fi elements, and faith questions into a film with a cast of characters that embodies everyman.
Viewers will be entranced scene by scene following Sully on his journey. The film keeps the audience engaged by revealing elements of the story slowly and not all at once. Mr. Banno hopes the audience will, "intuit what is going on." Please don't think you will be left hanging; "Sleeping and Waking" is natural storytelling at its best."
