Smile For The Camera
Encyclopedia
Smile for the Camera is a short 2005 independent film
. It was directed, produced and edited by Jordan Galland
, who co-wrote the story and screenplay with Sean Lennon
. Galland and Lennon also wrote the theme song, which was performed by Galland's Domino band mate Domino Kirke and her sister Jemima. Although the film's cast, with the exception of Erika Thormahlen
, had no previous acting experience, Milla Jovovich
and Sean Lennon make cameo appearance
s as "Boxheads". The film has been released on DVD.
Joined by her friend Mark, who has been analyzing and enhancing the photographs, Kate discovers that the young girl’s image can be found hidden in all the pictures she had taken. The trail of photographs leads Kate and Mark to the home of Walter, the domineering leader of the Boxhead cult. Walter bombards his guests with pompous opinions about art, as his young wife Lisa silently cowers in his presence and vents her emotions on a turnip mash. After dinner, Walter overpowers his guests. Kate is chained in a basement dungeon and told to “smile for the camera” as she fights back her tears. Mark is taken to a remote place in the woods to be sacrificed in a Boxhead ritual. Mysteriously freed from her chains by the young girl, Kate escapes and follows Walter into the forest, where she fights for her life and extracts her revenge.
, and was shown at the 2005 Big Apple Film Festival.
, performed by Domino and Jemima Kirke, and produced by David Kahn. Additional music was created by Adam Crystal and David Mueller, former band mates of Galland in the rock band, Dopo Yume.
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
. It was directed, produced and edited by Jordan Galland
Jordan Galland
Jordan Galland is an award-winning filmmaker, musician. He has also contributed his music to raise money and awareness of various charitable causes....
, who co-wrote the story and screenplay with Sean Lennon
Sean Lennon
is an American singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist and actor. He is the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. His godfather is Sir Elton John.-Early life and education:...
. Galland and Lennon also wrote the theme song, which was performed by Galland's Domino band mate Domino Kirke and her sister Jemima. Although the film's cast, with the exception of Erika Thormahlen
Erika Thormahlen
Erika Thormahlen is an American actress and child educator. She is best known for her role as Ashley "Ash" Gordon on the NBC comedy-drama Just Deal.-Career:...
, had no previous acting experience, Milla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich
Milla Jovovich December 17, 1975)is an American model, actress, musician, and fashion designer. Over her career, she has appeared in a number of science fiction and action-themed films, for which music channel VH1 has referred to her as the "reigning queen of kick-butt".Milla Jovovich began...
and Sean Lennon make cameo appearance
Cameo appearance
A cameo role or cameo appearance is a brief appearance of a known person in a work of the performing arts, such as plays, films, video games and television...
s as "Boxheads". The film has been released on DVD.
Plot summary
Two students uncover a series of mysterious signs in otherwise normal photographs taken around New York City with an antique camera. They determine that these are clues that depict a pathway from a train station in New York City to a house in the wilderness. Kate sets off alone to follow the trail, which leads her to a terrifying encounter with a psychic in a decaying seaside cottage. The psychic falls prey to the Boxheads, a mysterious and evil cult that traps victims, whose smiling photographs appear on boxes that hide the faces of the cult members. Escaping from the psychic’s cottage, Kate wanders through the woods, taking shelter for the night in an eerie motel where she has frightening dreams and hallucinations. In one of these, a young girl falls victim to the Boxheads and disappears.Joined by her friend Mark, who has been analyzing and enhancing the photographs, Kate discovers that the young girl’s image can be found hidden in all the pictures she had taken. The trail of photographs leads Kate and Mark to the home of Walter, the domineering leader of the Boxhead cult. Walter bombards his guests with pompous opinions about art, as his young wife Lisa silently cowers in his presence and vents her emotions on a turnip mash. After dinner, Walter overpowers his guests. Kate is chained in a basement dungeon and told to “smile for the camera” as she fights back her tears. Mark is taken to a remote place in the woods to be sacrificed in a Boxhead ritual. Mysteriously freed from her chains by the young girl, Kate escapes and follows Walter into the forest, where she fights for her life and extracts her revenge.
Cast
- Erika ThormahlenErika ThormahlenErika Thormahlen is an American actress and child educator. She is best known for her role as Ashley "Ash" Gordon on the NBC comedy-drama Just Deal.-Career:...
as Kate - Mark Sarosi as Mark
- Stephen Bender as Walter
- Kristin Victoria Barron as Lisa
- Helen Burgess as the psychic
- Mariah Balaban as the waitress
- Lawrence O’Toole as the motel clerk
- Mandy Capuano as the little girl
- Patrician Priola, Jennifer O’shea as the singers
- David Kahn as the keyboard player
- Jordan Galland as the guitar player
Awards
The film won the Best Short ScreenCraft Award at the 2005 New York International Independent Film and Video FestivalNew York International Independent Film and Video Festival
New York International Independent Film and Video Festival is a film screening event in various American cities. It was founded in 1993, and its website claims it has been recognized by the film and entertainment industry as one of the leading film events on the independent festival circuit...
, and was shown at the 2005 Big Apple Film Festival.
Production
Smile for the Camera was filmed during November, 2004, on Long Island’s south fork, with an all-volunteer cast and crew, using a Panasonic AG-DVX 100B Digital video camera.Soundtrack
The film has an original musical score by Timo Ellis and Jordan Galland. The title song, “Smile for the Camera", was written by Galland and Sean LennonSean Lennon
is an American singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist and actor. He is the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. His godfather is Sir Elton John.-Early life and education:...
, performed by Domino and Jemima Kirke, and produced by David Kahn. Additional music was created by Adam Crystal and David Mueller, former band mates of Galland in the rock band, Dopo Yume.