Covering Media

Jack T. Carpenter and Christine Evangelista in HARVEST, a film by Marc Meyers. Picture courtesy Monterey Media and Ibid Filmworks. All rights reserved.

Harvest (2010/2011)

Opened: 03/11/2011 Limited

Trailer: Click for trailer

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Genre: Drama

Rated: R for language and a brief sexual reference.

Synopsis

Three generations of a family come together one summer, around the eventual passing of the patriarch of the family, a WWII veteran. Gathered at the family home and in and around their beautiful shoreline town, years of resentment and betrayal within the family surface, and the grandson, a college student, does his part to hold them all together, growing up in the process.

Harvest is a poignant story that is ultimately uplifting, with moments of humor anchoring this realistic portrait of a family hanging on to what was, what is, and to each other.

The ensemble cast includes Academy Award nominee Robert Loggia, Academy Award nominee Barbara Barrie, Jack Carpenter, Arye Gross, Tony Winner Victoria Clark, Peter Friedman, along with Daniel Eric Gold, Adriana Sevan, Kel O'Neill, and Christine Evangelista.

Grammy and Tony Winner Duncan Sheik and frequent collaborator David Poe composed the original music for HARVEST.

Director's Statement

HARVEST began several years ago when my grandfather, a WWII veteran, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given only several months to live. Instead of anticipating a move to a hospital where the details of death could be handled at arm's length, our family decided to have him stay in his house in Connecticut where he raised his family, and allow him to enjoy his last summer and let his passing happen naturally.

At first, it all felt very old-fashioned to me, and then the events around the house that summer deeply affected me. I began jotting down my observations of how we were jointly and individually dealing with this unnerving progression towards the inevitable.

There's a beauty in how a family honors a man at the end of his life. For us, there was this tangible sense of humor and light-heartedness that remained in the air, almost as a survival technique. Every laugh around the dinner table felt deeper. Every car and bike ride around town was like a victory lap. Many conversations felt like an effort to give some kind of closure.

So, at its core, HARVEST is a film about the range of emotions one family goes through while they try to enjoy themselves, knowing loss is on the horizon. It's also a film about those moments when family dynamics start to shift and how conflicts arise, why resentment and sibling rivalries emerge, and how a family finds balance by reminiscing around the dinner table, playing in the backyard, teasing one another, all along loving each other in small, simple ways.

And though this story is inspired by my own experience, many families across America are also saying goodbye to their elders, men and women from our "greatest generation," and this film is an ode to them too.

As a director, I've always wanted to work with a multi-generational, ensemble cast -- creating a collision between wisdom/experience and potential. In HARVEST the core relationship between grandfather and grandson is this kind of two-way street, where endings really represent new beginnings.

The town of Madison, Connecticut is a beautiful, irreplaceable backdrop for my story. It's a picturesque town that rests on a quiet stretch of the Long Island Sound. There's a classic Main Street that gathers a cross section of people at the local coffee shop, movie house, and post office. It's the original town square where a man's legacy, especially a WWII veteran, does not go unnoticed.

I've been humbled by the beautiful and enthusiastic response from audiences around the country. So many people have come up to me after seeing the film to thank me for making it. They relate to this family like it was their own.

-- Marc Meyers

Cast Biographies

ROBERT LOGGIA (Siv Monopoli): This Oscar and two-time EMMY-nominated actor is an alumnus and lifetime member of the prestigious Actors Studio. A superb character actor and devoted student of Stella Adler, Robert Loggia has made simultaneous careers in both television and film, going from one medium to the other with ease.

He has more than 70 motion picture credits, making his screen debut in Somebody Up There Likes Me (1956). Other notable film credits include Che (1969), the Oscarnominated An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Scarface (1983), the Oscar-nominated Prizzi's Honor (1985), three Pink Panther movies, the Oscar-nominated role as the foulmouthed investigator in Jagged Edge (1985), the kindly toy magnate in the Oscarnominated Big (1988), Triumph of the Spirit (1989,) the box office blockbuster Independence Day (1996) and the critically acclaimed Smilla's Sense of Snow (1997).

Loggia's 124 television credits include some of the most critically acclaimed and EMMY-nominated productions in the history of the medium. In 1957 he made his television debut in Studio One, followed by Playhouse 90, Wagon Train, Westinghouse Desifu Playhouse, Alcoa Theatre, The United States Steel Hour, Naked City, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Untouchables, Rawhide, Route 66, Ben Casey, Gunsmoke, Combat, The Wild Wild West, The Big Valley, The FBI, Kojak, Mannix, Columbo, Police Woman, The Rockford Files, Quincy M.E., Magnum PI, Falcon Crest, and his EMMYnominated performance as Nick Mancusco in Mancusco FBI. Norman Lear hand-picked Robert Loggia to star in his 1991 series Sunday Dinner.

His many television films include the EMMY-nominated Raid on Entebbe, A Woman Called Golda, Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way, and was nominated for a CableACE Award for his work in Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8.

Loggia has appeared on the much-lauded EMMY-nominated Frasier, Dharma and Gregg, and received his second EMMY-nomination for his role in Malcolm in the Middle. He was cast in season five of one of the most talked about, acclaimed series in the history of television, the EMMY-winning The Sopranos. He currently recurs as Ray Romano's father in Men of a Certain Age.

BARBARA BARRIE (Yetta) has had a distinguished career in film, television and theatre. Ms. Barrie earned the Best Actress Award in the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in One Potato, Two Potato. For the film Breaking Away, she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role. Her performance in the award-winning film Judy Berlin brought her an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Female. Her other film credits include Frame of Mind, Second Best, Hercules, Private Benjamin, and The Bell Jar and Twelve Thirty.

On television, Ms. Barrie's appearances on Law and Order and Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, earned her an EMMY award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, respectively. She earned another EMMY Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as 'Evelyn Stoller' in Breaking Away. She may be best known to television audiences for her regular role in Suddenly Susan opposite Brooke Shields and her recurring and guest star roles in Enlightened, Nurse Jackie, Once and Again, Barney Miller, Thirtysomething and Family Ties.

Additionally, Ms Barrie's mini-series and television movie credits include Scarlett and Roots: The Next Generation as well as A Chance of Snow, My Left Breast, The Odd Couple: Together Again, Tell Me My Name, To Race the Wind, American Love Affair, and Barefoot in the Park.

On Broadway, Ms. Barrie has appeared in The Selling of the President, The Prisoner of Second Avenue, California Suite, Torch Song Trilogy, and Company, which garnered her a TONY nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role. Off- --Broadway, she has been seen in The Vagina Monologues, Current Events, After-Play, The Crucible, The Beaux' Stratagem, Love Letters, Isn't It Romantic? and in The Killdeer, for which she earned an Obie and Drama Desk award for Outstanding Off- Broadway Performance. She has also performed often for both the New York Shakespeare Festival and the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut.

Ms. Barrie is also the author of two critically acclaimed novels for young adults, Lone Star and Adam Zigzag, as well as a memoir documenting her bout with colon cancer entitled Second Act which has been released in its paperback version under the title Don't Die of Embarrassment: Life After Colostomy and Other Adventures.

JACK T. CARPENTER (Josh) was most recently seen showing his range of acting in Marc Meyers' film Harvest alongside Robert Loggia. Before that, Jack played 'Rich Munsch' in Chris Columbus' I Love You, Beth Cooper opposite Hayden Panettiere, walking away with tremendous reviews for his performance. Other film credits include Joe Nussbaum's Sydney White where he played the role of 'Lenny'. Jack's television credits include appearances on The Good Wife and Law and Order as 'Max Purcell' in the 2009 episode titled Shotgun, as well as a recurring role on the Fox comedy The Return of Jezebel James as the character 'Dash'. He also appeared in Jay Chandrasekhar's television movie Held Up as 'Ray Pfeifer, and Chris Koch's television movie Lipshitz Saves the World as 'Adam Lipshitz'. Jack is a graduate of the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.

ARYE GROSS (Benny) a native born Angeleno, (March 17 , 1960) Arye Gross, attended the University of California at Irvine and went on to study acting at the Conservatory at South Coast Repertory. Gross has entertained many an audience on LA stages with a variety of companies including LATC, Pasadena Playhouse, Odyssey Theater Ensemble, MET Theater, El Teatro Campesino and Stages Theater Center. His comedic timing and expressive face, have led film audiences to exclaim: "he's that guy from:" Minority Report, or Big Eden, House II or any number of episodic TV including a 2 year recurring role on Castle.

VICTORIA CLARK (Anna) maintains one of the most diverse performing careers of any artist living today, equally at home in plays, musicals, film, television, and the concert stage. Clark received TONY, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, as well as a Drama League honor for her luminous portrayal of protective but domineering mother Margaret Johnson in the critically-acclaimed Craig Lucas-Adam Guettel musical The Light in the Piazza in 2005.

She's the upcoming lead Broadway musical Sister Act, produced by Whoopi Goldberg. Most recently, she appeared in the Nora and Delia Ephron critically acclaimed production Love, Loss and What I Wore as well as Lincoln Center's heralded production of When the Rain Stops Falling for which she received a Drama Desk Award Nomination. She also starred opposite Nathan Gunn in the staged production of The Grapes of Wrath at Carnegie. Clark was also among the featured performers in Stephen Sondheim: The Birthday Concert held at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Ms. Clark along with her longtime friend and collaborator Ted Sperling gained rave reviews for their show entitled, The Vicki and Ted Show.

Bitten by the directing bug, Clark applied for and was accepted into New York University's Musical Theatre Program's Master's Program as a stage director. Clark was one of six directors - and one of only two women - chosen for this innovative new program designed to foster the collaboration of aspiring directors and composers.

Clark's film credits include Cradle Will Rock (Tim Robbins), The Happening (M. Night Shyamalan), Tickling Leo (Jeremy Davidson), Main Street (by Horton Foote directed by John Doyle) and the new independent feature HARVEST (Marc Meyers).

Clark's television appearances include Mercy, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, and the PBS special Sweeney Todd in Concert featuring Patti LuPone, George Hearn, and the San Francisco Philharmonic. She also enjoyed a recurring role on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion on Minnesota Public Radio.

While Clark is a much sought-after vocalist and actress, she has also enjoyed an illustrious career as a director, receiving numerous honors and fellowships for her work. In February 2005, she headed her first major New York directing project, Serenade in Blue: The Lyrics of Mack Gordon.

Filmmaker Biographies

MARC MEYERS (Writer, Director, Producer): Marc is a filmmaker and playwright. His films have won awards and screened at dozens of film festivals, including Montreal, Sao Paulo, Cambridge, Starz Denver, Cleveland, Tribeca, Heartland, Fort Lauderdale, among others.

HARVEST is his second narrative feature, released by monterey media in 2011. It stars Academy Award nominees Robert Loggia & Barbara Barrie and Jack Carpenter, with Original Music by Grammy & Tony Winner Duncan Sheik.

His first narrative feature, Approaching Union Square, currently plays on Sundance Channel. Variety wrote, "thought-provoking ... touches with skilled insight," and "reps a fine calling card for a clear, even voice." Following its International Premiere at the Montreal World Film Festival, The Montreal Gazette called it a "startlingly accomplished debut."

Marc also directed the music video for Sandra Grace's Stay With Me, which had its broadcast premiere on MTV Networks LOGO channel. He co-created and produced Cube Farm for NBC Digital Studios and dotcomedy. Marc was part of the filmmaking team behind the 9/11-themed documentary Witnessing (MSNBC). Early narrative short films include 86 Customer, Callous, San Francisco and Moses in Manhattan.

Marc is an alumnus of various theater collectives in New York including the Ensemble Studio Theatre and Cherry Lane Theatre Alternative. His plays have been staged at a variety of theaters in NYC including American Theatre of Actors, Ensemble Studio Theatre, and the Harry De Jur Playhouse.

Marc studied dramatic writing with Milan Stitt, Tom Noonan, Mick Casale, among others. Formerly, Marc handled sales and sponsorship at Variety. He was also part of the producer team for the inaugural NY Documentary Festival ("Docfest").

He began his career in entertainment as a consultant for the IFP Market & Gotham Awards.

Marc is a member of the IFP, and a Virginia Center for the Creative Arts Fellow. He is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College.

JODY GIRGENTI (Producer): Jody is the producer of the award-winning independent feature film HARVEST, written and directed by her Ibid Filmworks partner Marc Meyers, and to be released by monterey media in 2011. She also produced the award-winning feature film, Approaching Union Square, currently playing on Sundance Channel. She has a slate of film, television, and other projects in various stages of development. As well, she serves as a Senior Producer for commercial agency Syrup LBi.

Jody co-created and produced Cube Farm for NBC Digital Studios and dotcomedy. She was a producer of Under Fire, a documentary series for Court TV. Formerly, Jody served as an original programming executive at AMC, where she oversaw series and specials in development and supervised production of pilots and series (Sunday Morning Shootout, Movies 101, and Dennis Hopper: Thank God for Voices). Jody was a primary internal advocate pushing the network towards original, cinematic scripted programming, and was an integral part of the original development team responsible for Mad Men (pilot).

Additionally, outside of her role at AMC, Jody was Co-Producer of The Numbers, directed by Leigh Dana Jackson. Prior to AMC, Jody worked for distributor ThinkFilm at its inception, working on the theatrical releases of 8 films including Gus Van Sant's Gerry and Oscar-nominated Spellbound. Before ThinkFilm Jody worked at Court TV, part of the development team responsible for documentaries and original movies, including the Peabody award-winning The Interrogation of Michael Crowe and global social issue campaign Speak Truth to Power.

Jody is a member of the Producers Guild of America, IFP, and Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.

DUNCAN SHEIK & DAVID POE (Original Music): Acclaimed recording artists Duncan Sheik & David Poe recently completed original music for the film Dare (Sundance Film Festival 2009). Sheik's additional credits as film composer include: The Cake Eaters, Brother's Shadow, Through the Fire, and A Home at the End of the World. Separately, Poe recently did the music for Capers.

Additionally, Sheik is both a Grammy & Tony Award Winner for the Broadway musical Spring Awakening, for which he composed and produced the original music. As well, Sheik is Grammy nominated for his 1997 Gold record Barely Breathing.

RUBEN O'MALLEY (Cinematographer): Ruben has lensed numerous feature films, including Twelve Thirty, Once More With Feeling (Sundance 2009), Deceit (Eleven Eleven Films), For Real (Emerging Pictures), and Love Ludlow (Sundance 2005).

A native of San Francisco, Ruben O'Malley moved east to study cinematography at NYU, where he shot numerous award winning short films (Confection, Go Army, Ana & Christina, and Silent Treatment, among others). He has also lensed several TV shows, including Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, ITVS's Taking the Heat, IFC's Fabulous and Indy Sex. Additionally, Ruben has been hired for 2nd Unit work on feature films War Within, Flannel Pajamas, 'Tis Autumn, and the Jackie Paris Story.

COLLEEN SHARP (Editor): Colleen's credits as editor include: Higher Ground (Sundance 2011, Sony Pictures Classics), Beware the Gonzo (Tribeca Film Festival 2010), The Cake Eaters, Harold (City Lights), The Motel (Palm Pictures), Committed (Miramax), Shadrach (Nu Image), Love! Valour! Compassion! (Fine Line Features), and Manny & Lo (Sony Picture Classics). She was the associate editor on Philadelphia, Shining Through, and Lady In The Water.