Beyond Glory
Independent Feature Film Beyond Glory Starring Stephen Lang
Some stories must never be forgotten
As 8180 Films' latest independent feature film, Beyond Glory starring Stephen Lang has earned the respect of several reknown actors and influencers in the film industry. Below is just some of the praise supporting Beyond Glory the film.
“Stephen Lang’s inspiring tour de force of writing and acting brings to life a handful of this nation’s greatest real heroes, who now, with this film, pass firmly into legend.”
– James Cameron, Director (Avatar, Titanic, The Terminator)
“There are many movie heroes…but few movies about real heroes. Beyond Glory is one of those movies. It is time we celebrate and recognize the sacrifices of our own men and women in arms.”
– Jon Landau, Producer (Avatar, Titanic, Solaris)
“When Stephen called, I was honored to lend a hand. Beyond Glory tells the amazing stories of eight of our country’s greatest military heroes. It inspires, entertains, honors their service, and passes on to future generations the ideals and values the medal represents.
– Gary Sinise, Actor (Forrest Gump, Apollo 13, CSI: NY)
About Stephen Lang, The Star of Beyond Glory
For decades Stephen Lang has been one of the world’s most respected actors, his performances enlivening Broadway stages and IMAX movie screens alike. From Death of a Salesman’s Happy to Avatar’s Col. Quaritch, he has created roles of subtlety and depth, power and endurance. In Beyond Glory, Lang reunites with director Larry Brand (Christina, The Girl on the Train) to bring to the screen his memorable portrayal of eight Medal of Honor recipients whose stories come to life in his acclaimed play Beyond Glory.
The Story Behind Beyond Glory the Film
In a startling synthesis of cinema and theatre, filmmaker Brand joins actor Stephen Lang on a journey through the desperate conflicts of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Changing character with quicksilver virtuosity, Lang reaches deep into reservoirs of emotion and pain, fortitude and courage, humility and joy, embodying the personae of eight warriors, each a Medal of Honor recipient with a remarkable story to tell. With equal skill, director Brand employs a wide cinematic arsenal to frame, enhance, and illuminate these stories. The result is a unique melding of two art forms, theatre and cinema, each supporting and informing the other. Based on journalist Larry Smith's best selling war chronicle, Beyond Glory, Stephen Lang and Larry Brand have created something original in the film/movie version: BEYOND GLORY.
“The play has been enormously popular for over a decade,” says director Brand. “The aim of the film is to re-imagine the theatrical experience for the wider movie and television audience using the full palette of cinematic tools available to the modern filmmaker.”
The film Beyond Glory blends performances from lower Manhattan to forward bases in Afghanistan to nuclear carriers cruising the Persian Gulf.
"Stephen Lang is splendid in any role, but it is a particular treat to see and hear him bring to life my fellow recipients of the Medal of Honor. The tones of voice, the mannerisms...Stephen nails them all. And perhaps even more riveting is that he manages to deliver their very personalities. I knew all of these men for decades, and it's as if they are in the room with me. Don't miss Beyond Glory. It's magnificent."
– Colonel Jack Jacobs (ret.) Medal of Honor Recipient
and Chair of New York Film Academy’s Veterans Advancement Program
The Girl On The Train
When documentary filmmaker Danny Hart boards a train at Grand Central Station, he has no reason to expect anything more than a pleasant ride to upstate New York to interview the subjects for his latest project. But a chance encounter with a mysterious young woman leads him on a journey of a very different sort. Within the blink of an eye his life of complacency is left behind for a world in which the line between reality and fiction is blurred... a world of intrigue, danger, and the possibility of blood.
She's every woman you'll never know.
Written and directed by Larry Brand, The Girl on the Train stars Henry Ian Cusick, Nicki Aycox and Stephen Lang. The neo-noir thriller also features David Margulies, Charles Aitken, Waltrudis Buck and John Fugelsang.
The Girl on the Train was shot in New York City in March - April, 2012 by cinematographer Dave Sperling (Remember WENN, Lush Life: Billy Strayhorn, and The Drifter). Costume designer is Patricia Field (The Devil Wears Prada and Sex in the City). The original music was composed by Alexander Janko (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, The Coexist Comedy Tour). Film editing is by Stephen Mark and Larry Brand, production design by Jessica Preuss, and sound design and editing by Warren Amerman of Rotary Records. Producers are Gary Sales, Rebecca Reynolds and James Carpenter. Ross Satterwhite is the executive producer.
2014 film festivals for The Girl on the Train include Sedona International Film Festival and San Diego Jewish Film Festival. 2013 film festivals include Newport Beach Film Festival, Traverse City Film Festival, Oaxaca Film Festival, Big Bear Lake International Film Festival, and Napa Valley Film Festival.
Where To Catch The Train
Streaming, DVD rental,
and download
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The Coexist Comedy Tour
Feature Documentary
After one comic bails, the live comedy concert film that started as an exercise in co-existence turns into a documentary, as the filmmakers desperately go in search of a funny Christian.
What in God's name could possibly go wrong?
In December 2009, filmmaker Larry Brand traveled to Sacramento, California to shoot the Coexist Comedy Tour. Made up of six comedians from different belief systems, this live performance would serve as an uplifting demonstration of how the world's major religions could come together through an evening of comedy.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. And it was – until the Christian comedian refused to sign his contract. Filmmaker Brand was left with a half-completed movie about religious coexistence. There was only one solution: find a replacement Christian.
So, Brand and his producers set out on a cross-country search, auditioning Christian comedians. From truly funny to utterly bizarre, performers showed up to become the final performer. And demonstrate that coexistence was possible. More or less....
Starring comedians John Fugelsang, Tissa Hami, Keith Lowell Jensen, Moshe Kasher, Sammy Obeid and Tapan Trivedi, The Coexist Comedy Tour was produced by Rebecca Reynolds and James Carpenter, with music by composer Alexander Janko.
The Coexist Comedy Tour premiered on the premium cable channel Starz in May 2013. Check schedule for next available dates and times.
The film premiered at the 2013 Traverse City Winter Comedy Arts Festival, then went on to accept an Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Filmmaking award at VisionFest13 at the Tribeca Cinemas in New York City. The Coexist Comedy Tour is available on iTunes and Amazon; on DVD from Kino Lorber; and soon to be released by Stand Up Records.
Christina
Feature Drama
Inspired by a true story and set in the aftermath of World War II, Christina is about a young German woman preparing to leave war-ravaged Berlin to begin a new life with her G.I. fiancé. But standing between her and a hopeful future is a relentless police inspector, determined to prevent her from escaping her past.
She survived the war. But can she survive her past.
Written and directed by Larry Brand, Christina stars Nicki Aycox, Jordan Belfi, and Stephen Lang. Brand won Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking at the Newport Beach Film Festival in April, 2010. Christina also won four awards at the 4th Annual Buffalo Niagara Film Festival on April 25th. Larry Brand won the Best Director award, Nicki Aycox won the Best Actress award, Stephen Lang won Best Actor, and Christina won the Best Film award. Christina was shown as the Closing Night film at the historic Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda, New York. In addition, Christina was the Closing Night feature at VisionFest 10 at Tribeca Cinemas in New York City on June 27th where it won Outstanding Achievement in Writing (Larry Brand) and Outstanding Achievement in Acting - Male Role (Stephen Lang). The film also screened at the Mumbai Film Festival and FilmColumbia Festival, October 2010.
The film had its theatrical, red carpet premiere at the State Theatre in Traverse City, Michigan. The back-to-back screenings were introduced by Traverse City Film Festival founder and Academy award-winning director, Michael Moore. The cast and director attended the event and spoke at Q&A sessions following both shows.
Christina was shot in Los Angeles by award-winning cinematographer and producer, Kees Van Oostrum (Gettysburg, Gods and Generals, Return to Lonesome Dove). The original music for Christina was composed by David Williams (The Prophecy, Phantoms, Benedict Arnold). Emmy Award winning designer Jacqueline Saint Anne was the costume designer, Krystyna Loboda was the production designer, and Rebecca Reynolds and James Carpenter served as executive producers.