“Carl(a)” Review – Film Matters Magazine by Junyang ZHAO

March 31st, 2014

“Carl(a) provides an accurate and sensitive reading on a transgendered woman’s life and struggles. The film encourages the idea of trying to be one’s true self, which can resonate with most viewers…It is very worth watching.”

Full review http://goo.gl/36paOB

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Original url -http://www.nypost.com/p/pagesix/gender_benders_3YUYuv8YyLYP64UlNVnv3O

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NY Daily News 06/07/2011

Bello wrestles with transgender love nydailynews.com

Gregg Bello found the secret to losing weight: transgender women. The “Wrestler” actor shed 30 pounds to play a computer programmer who knowingly falls in love with a transgender escort in “Carl(a).” The love story, starring Bello and a newcomer, transgender actress Joslyn DeFreece, is directed by Eli Hershko and is being shot here. We’re told filming for the indie flick wraps in about two weeks.

Read more at nydailynews.com – http://tinyurl.com/6evgtjr

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THE FEATURE FILM CARL(A) HAS BEGUN FILMING IN NEW YORK

New York, NY, May 10th, 2011 – Production of the feature film “Carl(a)” began on May 7th in New York City.

While Carla, a male to female pre-op transsexual, contemplates how to come up with the cash needed to complete her transition she is faced with the hardship of being dejected from her family. Then she meets Sam. A regular great guy who likes her the way she is. But when the cash needed for her procedure is no longer an issue, Sam has second thoughts about their relationship. Now Carla is faced with a tough dilemma. If she transitions she loses Sam… if she doesn’t she loses herself.

Joslyn DeFreece will make her first feature film appearance in the title role as Carla. She has been acting since the age of nine and considers herself to be an eternal student of her craft. DeFreece is currently studying at Pace University, in the B.F.A Acting program and has graced stages in both New York and Los Angeles.

“Playing the title role of Carla is not only a great honor for me, but a dream come true”, says DeFreece. “Through this role I have been given the opportunity to draw from my personal story and bring awareness to the public of the transgender experience”, which was exactly what producers Eli Hershko (also the film’s writer and director) and Shauna Kartt had been looking for.

“We held several auditions in New York and Los Angeles for Carla and were determined to find a trans woman. We want the film to be real and gritty – almost documentary in style,” says Hershko. “I was nearly ready to give up. Then we met Joslyn. No one brought the raw emotion and sensuality to the character the way she did. She was perfect”.

Laverne Cox will play the supporting lead of Cinnamon, a no-nonsense transgender prostitute and Carla’s only friend and ally. Ms. Cox made television history when she became the first African American transgender woman to appear on an American reality show with her appearance as a finalist on VH1′s “I Want to Work for Diddy”. For her groundbreaking work on the show, Laverne received the GLAAD media award for Outstanding Reality Program. Cox’s popularity on “Work for Diddy” led to her starring in, co-creating and co-producing her own show on VH1 called “Transform Me” thus becoming the first African American trans woman to produce and star in her own television show. Laverne was named one of Out magazine’s “Out 100 of 2010” and has been an advocate for transgender issues in the media for many years.

Mark Margolis, known for his roles in various Darren Aronofsky films including “Black Swan”, “The Wrestler”, “Requiem for a Dream” and “The Fountain”, has signed on to play the role of Grandpa. Filling out the rest of the main cast are Gregg Bello (Sam), Janice Mann (Mom), Carson Grant (Harry The Lawyer), Christopher Kloko (Frankie) and Kevin Martinez (Santi).

“Carl(a)” is written by Eli Hershko and Christopher Theokas. Director is Eli Hershko. Producers are Eli Hershko and Shauna Kartt (Jaeger). Line Producer is Steve Kartt. Director of Photography is Bernard Hunt. Production Designer is Nicholas Tong. Costume Designer is Karina Velez. Hair and Makeup Artist is Brenna McGuire. Conjured Visions Productions, Stupid Face Productions and Rat Trap Media.

The production in scheduled to shoot for 16 days this month and is planned for release in 2012.

For more information regarding the feature film “Carl(a)” visit http://carlathemovie.com.

ABOUT CONJURED VISIONS PRODUCTIONS AND WRITER/DIRECTOR ELI HERSHKO

An accomplished writer, director, producer and cinematographer, Eli Hershko has quickly established himself as “one to watch” in the industry.

In 2007 Hershko founded Conjured Visions Productions, a full-service creative production company. His first project was a thriller titled “Shiner” about an innocent one-night stand gone bad that derails the lives of two strangers.

First screened in 2008, “Shiner” played to audiences at a number of film festivals including the Hoboken International Film Festival, the Long Island International Film Festival, the prestigious Cape Fear Film Festival, the NY New Filmmakers Festival and the Director’s Circle Festival of Shorts. In 2009 the film was featured at Seattle’s True Independent Film Festival and the Hollywood East Film Festival.

Eli followed his success with a second short, “Reflections”, which follows the life of a struggling actress as she mourns the loss of a lover and the betrayal of her sister on the last night of her performance. “Reflections” recently premiered at the NY New Filmmakers Festival.

For more information about Conjured Visions Productions visit http://conjuredvisions.com .

ABOUT STUPID FACE PRODUCTIONS

Based in Toronto and New York, Stupid Face Productions is an award-winning, full-service media production house creating film, television, print, and branded content. Web. CEO and owner is Steve Kartt.

In 2010, Shauna Kartt (Jaeger) joined Stupid Face productions as Executive Producer. Over the years Kartt (Jaeger) has produced, directed and 1st assistant directed award-winning feature films, commercials, music videos, TV series and specials for broadcasters and festivals worldwide including National Geographic (Canada/ US), A&E, Alliance Atlantis, BBC, Discovery Channel (Canada/US/Europe/International), CBC and the Toronto International Film Festival to name a few.

“King Kaufman: The Passion of Lloyd”, Ms. Kartt’s directorial debut (which she also wrote and produced), has garnered awards for Best Documentary, Best Director and Best Picture. The director’s cut received its world premier at the SoCal Independent Film Festival in Huntington Beach, California and was nominated for Best Documentary. “King Kaufman…” was produced in association with Troma Entertainment.

For more information about Stupid Face Productions visit http://stupidfaceproductions.com.

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