TEXAS PREMIERE SCREENING OF CONTROVERSIAL NEW FILM, "CREATED EQUAL," AT SAN ANTONIO FILM F
Veteran actor, Lou Diamond Phillips returns to TX to introduce his new film, "Created Equal" an independently produced legal thriller directed by Bill Duke and co-starring Aaron Tveit ("Les Misérables," "Graceland," "Grease Live"), Edy Ganem(Lifetime TV’s "Devious Maids"), veteran actor GregAlan Williams (OWN TV’s "Greenleaf," "BayWatch"), and Yohance Myles (Shots Fired).
Phillips is best known for his first starring role in "La Bamba" (1987), as well as his roles in "Courage Under Fire "(1996) and "Longmire" (2012). He also received a Tony Award nomination for his role as The King in the Broadway revival of "The King And I" (1996).
Currently touring the film festival circuit with advance screenings, the buzz of "Created Equal" has film enthusiasts piling into theaters! Already, the film has won two Sunscreen Film Festival Awards: “Best Actor” (Aaron Tveit) and “Best Director” (Bill Duke), and most recently, nominations for Imagen Awards: “Best Actor – Feature Film” (Lou Diamond Phillips) and “Best Actress – Feature Film” (Edy Ganem).
"Created Equal" follows the story of Thomas “Tommy” Reilly (Aaron Tveit), a cocky, up-and-coming attorney, who begrudgingly takes on a case for Sister Alejandra “Allie” Batista (Edy Ganem), who's desperate to become a priest in the Catholic Church.
Against his supervisor's wishes, Tommy files suit against the Archdiocese of New Orleans for sex discrimination without justifiable cause. As the trial unfolds, an extremist concocts a plot to stop the heresy against the church by attacking and threatening to kill Alejandra if they don't back off.
Tommy’s faith and conviction are tested, and as he’s challenged to question his purpose. He begins the transformation from an egotistical, arrogant person, to one who is committed to a mission larger than his own self-interests.
"Created Equal" explores how having a higher purpose can be life-changing. Based on the novel written by Roger A. Brown, who also serves as Executive Producer of the film. It gives a voyeuristic view of the stained-glass ceiling that exists for women in the Catholic Church without actually taking sides.
In the film, Lou Diamond Phillips plays the role of Monsignor Renzulli. Here is what he had to say about the movie and the role he plays:
"Created Equal presents a fascinating and compelling proposition about faith and the current state of the world in regards to equality, representation and inclusion, and I was very excited to be part of this thought-provoking project. I have long contemplated the line between tradition and where we currently are as a society. I was also thrilled to play Monsignor Renzulli, who in a lesser film, would just be the bad guy. However, true to the novel, and in Bill Duke's sensitive hands, Renzulli is presented as a man of iron-clad faith and an intellectual who is fervent in his defense of theological philosophy and tradition.”
Adam Rocha, Executive Director of the San Antonio Film Festival states that he chose to premiere the film because, "Created Equal is superbly cast and brilliantly directed, this thought-provoking film is also part thriller and courtroom drama. A long-standing tradition of the Catholic Church is the centerpiece of the movie with its decidedly secular approach. Created Equal is well worth the time spent watching and we are delighted to debut the film in Texas for our audiences."
The SA Film premiere will be a homecoming for Phillips who is no stranger to Texas. He grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas and his acting career at the Stage West Theater in Fort Worth, Texas.
TICKETS FOR THE SAN ANTONIO FILM FESTIVAL ARE NOW ON SALE. PLEASE PURCHASE YOUR TICKET BEFORE THEY'RE SOLD OUT.
Individual screening tickets are $10-$15. VIP badges (all-access pass to screenings, nightly filmmaker mixers, red-carpet events – best value), WEEKEND and DAY badges are available at www.TobinCenter.org. Full schedule of events and film program at www.safilm.com.
