By MCN Editor editor@moviecitynews.com
STARS OF TRAVIS FINE’S INDEPENDENTLY PRODUCED DRAMA “ANY DAY NOW” ANNOUNCED
ALAN CUMMING, GARRET DILLAHUNT, FRANCES FISHER AND NEWCOMER ISAAC LEYVA STAR IN INDEPENDENTLY PRODUCED DRAMA “ANY DAY NOW” FOR WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR TRAVIS FINE
Alan Cumming, Garret Dillahunt, and Frances Fisher star in the poignant period drama Any Day Now, written, produced and directed by filmmaker Travis Fine (The Space Between). The film recently completed principal photography in Los Angeles and is currently in post-production. Produced by Kristine Hostetter Fine (The Space Between) and Chip Hourihan (Frozen River), the film is executive produced by Anne O’Shea (The Kids Are Alright) and Maxine Makover (The Space Between.
Set in the 1970s and inspired by a true story, the film chronicles a gay couple who take in a teenage boy with Down Syndrome who has been abandoned by his drug addicted mother. As the teen discovers the strong bonds of family for the first time in his life, disapproving authorities step in to tear the boy from the only stable environment he has ever known. As the gay men fight to adopt this extraordinary special needs child, they wage an unlikely and unforgettable battle against a system stacked against them.
“I’m a huge fan of the gritty, character-driven dramas that were made during the 1970’s,” said Fine . “’Any Day Now’ offers me an opportunity as a filmmaker to revisit that time period cinematically, address social issues that are just as relevant today as they were 35 years ago and explore unique characters who discover love in the most unlikely of places.”
Cumming plays Rudy Donatello, a brash, charismatic and world wise drag performer who makes the bold decision to take the abandoned child into his life. Dillahunt portrays Paul Fleiger, a closeted Deputy District Attorney, who risks his career to fight for the men he loves. Fisher plays a stern family court judge who is tasked with rendering a decision in the highly unconventional adoption case. And Any Day Now introduces Isaac Levya, an actor with Down Syndrome, who makes a stunning and remarkable film debut as Marco, a boy abandoned by his mother only to be taken in by two strangers who provide a safe, stable and loving home.
Set in 1979 and based upon a script written over 30 years ago by George Arthur Bloom, the film explores a wide canvas of issues that are still relevant today from caring for special needs children to gay adoption and equality for all.
The film is also executive-produced by Wayne Smith & Dan Skahan, a gay couple who have fostered more than 30 children and spent ten years fighting the Florida ban on gay adoption. In 2008, they scored a massive legal victory when they won the right to adopt two of the children they had been raising for years.
Written and directed by Fine, and produced along with his wife Kristine through their company PFM Pictures, Any Day Now is the second independent film the filmmaker has willed into existence since his return to the entertainment business with last year’s critically acclaimed drama The Space Between, starring Academy Award-winning Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo.
In the midst of a successful acting, writing and directing career, Fine abruptly left the entertainment business in 2001. Deeply affected by the events of September 11th, and seeking a more fulfilling pursuit of his artistic endeavors, he enrolled in flight school and forged a new path as a screenwriting airline pilot.
While Fine was working on the flight deck of a commercial airliner at 36,000 feet, he conceived the story of a hardened flight attendant and an unaccompanied minor who connect amidst the chaos of September 11th and turned the story into his screenplay for “The Space Between”. The film, which played at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival, debuted on the USA NETWORK on September 11th, 2011, the 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy.
ABOUT ALAN CUMMING
Alan Cumming is an award-winning actor of stage and screen, producer, performer, writer and director. He currently stars as the voice of Gutsy Smurf in the worldwide smash hit film, The Smurfs.
Cumming recently received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of the tough talking politico Eli Gold in the acclaimed CBS series, “The Good Wife.” In addition to serving as the host of the PBS drama, “Masterpiece Mystery,” Cumming also recently starred in “The Runaway,” a six-part mini-series for Sky TV in the UK. Among his many other television appearances include roles in “Sex and the City,” “Frasier,” “Third Rock from the Sun,” “The L Word,” “Reefer Madness” and the mini-series, “Tin Man.”
Previously starring on screen alongside renowned music artists Cher and Christina Aguilera in Burlesque, Cumming will soon be seen in the independent drama, Maladies, co-starring James Franco and Catherine Keener. His past film credits include the film adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Circle of Friends, X2: X-Men United, the Spy Kids trilogy, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, Goldeneye, Eyes Wide Shut, Titus, Emma, Dare and Sweet Land. With Jennifer Jason Leigh he wrote, produced, directed and acted in The Anniversary Party.
On Broadway, Cumming was heralded for his seminal performance as the Emcee in the 1998 revival of “Cabaret,” receiving a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award, among others. He has continued to work steadily in theater since, but highlights include the role of Dionysus in the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Euripides’ “The Bacchae,” “Hamlet” at the Donmar Warehouse in London, and his performance in “Accidental Death of an Anarchist.”
Cumming’s activism and passion for various civil rights and sex education causes have earned him many humanitarian awards, most notably GLAAD’s Vito Russo media award. He was recently made an O.B.E. (Officer of the British Empire) in the 2009 Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Cumming will also continue to tour the world with his critically acclaimed/award-winning cabaret show and contribute to his recently launched obsession-based website, www.itsasickness.com. Cumming also recently launched his second fragrance, Second Cumming, with the proceeds benefitting various charities.
ABOUT GARRET DILLAHUNT
It is rare to find an actor who is both a leading man and character actor who can morph effortlessly from role to role. Garret Dillahunt possesses a resume that displays an enviable diversity.
Born in California and raised in Washington State, he studied Journalism at the University of Washington and went on to earn his MFA at New York University’s renowned graduate acting program.
In the months before “Amigo” began filming, Garret was in Ontario starring in Ryan Redford’s directing debut, “Oliver Sherman” playing the title role opposite Molly Parker and Donal Logue. He was also seen in “Winter’s Bone”, a film which was the winner of multiple awards in 2010 as well as received numerous Academy Award nominations (including Best Picture), as well as the thriller, “Burning Bright” opposite Brianna Evigan. In November 2009 he co-starred in the Cormac McCarthy novel turned into a film – “The Road”, also starring Viggo Mortensen and Charlize Theron. Garret portrays the leader of the gang that terrorizes the son and father on their post apocalyptic journey. He recently added another leading role to his resume when he starred as the infamous Krug in Wes Craven’s feature “Last House on the Left,” and had the distinction of being in the Coen Brothers Oscar-winning drama “No Country for Old Men” (Paramount Classics) opposite Tommy Lee Jones. Dillahunt portrayed the inexperienced Deputy Wendell , and provided some much-needed comic relief in the film. That same year, he impressed in Warner Brothers’ “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”, prompting star Brad Pitt to dub him, “First of the Plan B players.” Dillahunt portrayed Ed Miller, a James gang member–a simple, brutal but loyal man who suffers the wrath of his boss’ paranoia.
Dillahunt is probably best known for his work on the critically acclaimed HBO series “Deadwood” where he portrayed two entirely different characters–the assassin Jack McCall and the complex and deadly Francis Wolcott. Recognizing Dillahunt’s talent in his first incarnation, executive producer/writer David Milch created a second character for him.
Currently he stars as Burt Chance in FOX’s hit comedy; “Raising Hope”. The mercurial actor also co-starred in another HBO series from David Milch, “John From Cincinnati,” played dual roles as the terminator Cromartie in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, portrayed a very accessible Jesus Christ in the controversial NBC series “Book of Daniel” and has had recurring roles on “ER”, USA Network’s “The 4400”, F/X’s “Damages”, and NBC’s “Life”, among others. Previously, he garnered attention from the controversial Sundance Grand Jury prize-winning “The Believer,” and the Oscar-nominated short, “By Courier.” Dillahunt has also guest starred in many TV series, most recently “Lie To Me”, “Law & Order SVU,” “Criminal Minds”, “Burn Notice” and “White Collar”.He has an outstanding theatrical resume as well, having performed extensively on and off Broadway, and at such respected theater companies as Steppenwolf, ACT San Francisco, Seattle Rep, Huntington Stage, Williamstown, and the Berkshire Theater Festival. He resides in both Los Angeles and New York.
ABOUT FRANCES FISHER
Born in Milford On-Sea, England, Frances Fisher’s itinerant childhood in Columbia, Canada, France, Brazil, Turkey, Italy and in various locations around the U.S. undoubtedly provided fodder for her thespian career. After graduating from high school in Orange, Texas, Frances cut her teeth acting on Tennessee Williams and Robert Bolt in Orange Community Theater. She also apprenticed at the Barter Theatre in Virginia before moving to New York City where her career quickly blossomed.
Fisher went on to star in over 30 theatrical productions both regionally and off-Broadway, including Fool For Love, Desire Under the Elms, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Orpheus Descending and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. During this time she studied with Stella Adler and is one of the last three students selected by Lee Strasberg to become a member of the renowned Actors’ Studio. Fisher earned a Drama-Logue award for Best Ensemble Cast in the world premiere of Caryl Churchill’s Three More Sleepless Nights. Her favorite recent theatre experience was playing opposite Paul Ben-Victor in Sexy Laundry, and working at the Mark Taper Forum with Annette Bening and Alfred Molina in The Cherry Orchard.
Fisher began to build her film career with roles in Tough Guys Don’t Dance, Babyfever, Patty Hearst and Female Perversions. She then added starring roles opposite Clint Eastwood in the Academy Award-winning Unforgiven and True Crime to her burgeoning resume. Frances next starred in the Warner Bros. offbeat comedy The Big Tease opposite Craig Ferguson and The Rising Place for director Tom Rice, which was the Grand Prize winner of the 2001 Malibu Film Festival. The versatile actress is perhaps best known for her memorable performance as Kate Winslet’s mother in Titanic, which garnered her a Screen Actors Guild nomination as part of Best Ensemble Cast, while the film went on to receive 11 Academy Awards.
Fisher then starred in the 2002 Sundance Film Festival selection Blue Car for Miramax and writer/director Karen Moncrieff and co-starred as a lawyer in the Dreamworks feature House of Sand & Fog opposite Sir Ben Kingsley and Jennifer Connelly. Continuing the string of success, Frances earned rave reviews for her stand-out performance opposite Julianne Moore & Pierce Brosnan in the New Line feature Laws of Attraction and a co-starring role opposite Sir Ben Kingsley & Annette Benning in the HBO / Killer Films feature Mrs. Harris. Frances was then seen on the big screen in Universal Pictures The Kingdom opposite Jamie Foxx and directed by Peter Berg, Dan Ireland’s Jolene, and Paul Haggis’ In The Valley Of Elah with Tommy Lee Jones.
In addition to her thriving movie career, Fisher has had many notable television roles. She starred as Lucille Ball in Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, and as Janet Bouvier in Jackie O: A Life Story, both of which were CBS productions. She recurred on the CBS comedy series Becker as Ted Danson’s love interest and on Titus for FOX. Fisher also co-starred alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt in The Audrey Hepburn Story for ABC. Frances was seen opposite Rob Lowe as a series regular on the NBC drama Lyons Den. She has guested on The Shield, The Mentalist, Two and a Half Men, ER, and Private Practice.
Frances was recently see in #1 Box Office hit, The Roommate, opposite Leighton Meester, and will be seen in the indie Janie Jones, opposite Abigail Breslin, due in August She recently finished shooting a recurring role on Sons of Anarchy had a crucial role in critically acclaimed Lakeshore feature Lincoln Lawyer, opposite Matthew McConaughey as well as the lead an in the independent feature, Sedona – The Movie. Frances will play The Mother, opposite Bill Pullman in the BBC TV’s Torchwood, this July.
