Students in Grand Valley State University's Summer Film Project take on a challenging subject this summer as they begin filming and production for the short film, "A Moment of Grace." The movie, shot through June 11 at Grand Rapids-area locations, examines the human dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Now in town to star in the film is actress Pauley Perrette, familiar to many from her lead role in TV's "Navy NCIS" and appearances in "JAG" and the motion picture "The Ring." Other film credits include the starring role in the award-winning independent feature film, "Ash Tuesday."
Two other Hollywood professionals will work with students behind the scenes: actress/producer Alba Francesca, who serves as director and co-producer, and noted cinematographer Jack Anderson, who returns to GVSU for the third summer as director of photography. Also co-producing the film is Alan Bell, assistant professor of communications at GVSU (Summer Film Project founder John Philbin is on sabbatical).
SAG (Screen Actors Guild) actors from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Michigan -- plus a few local extras -- complete the cast for "A Moment of Grace." The crew, as always, consists entirely of students in the Film/Video Production major at GVSU. "A Moment of Grace" will premiere in November at Studio 28.
Filming begins Friday, May 28, and continues for two weeks at several Grand Rapids locations.
Movie Description
"A Moment of Grace," written by Samantha Humphrey, is
the story of a young American doctor, Grace Peters (Pauley Perrette),
who is working in a Palestinian refugee camp clinic and has seen far
too much senseless death and maiming. When a young Palestinian couple
arrives at the clinic in extremely premature labor, she risks her own
life to save the infant. A positive outcome to their desperate
situation hinges on Grace's sheer determination and the graciousness
of two Israeli soldiers. The story does not take sides, but rather
shows the very human aspect of people living in the midst of the
Middle East conflict.
For information about the Summer Film Project at GVSU, see www.gvsu.edu/filmvideo.
