REVIEWS
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Self-Medicated is a powerful, personal piece of independent filmmaking. A moving and thoughtful gem.
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– Reel.com
“There is searing, at times shockingly visceral power to be found here. Lapica has some astonishing moments... the film achieving an aura of poetic majesty I honestly never would have expected from a firsttime director.”
“A riveting film. If you enjoy good acting, a stirring script and a compelling and thought-provoking experience when you go to a film, this is the one for you.” “A searing portrait of an out-of-control youth. Strong acting from all quarters and an especially blistering performance from Lapica. Packs a startling punch.”
“There’s a real sense of authority and a raw, unmannered intensity in Lapica’s performance that sets the requisite tone for the entire production. The picture establishes Lapica as one to watch, either as a filmmaker or, for that matter, an actor. Self-Medicated is just what the doctor ordered.”
“It’s aesthetics work, the script is very intense, and Monty Lapica’s performance as the young drug addict is outstanding.”
“The naked display of his barely healed psychic wounds infuses the film with a raw, up-from-the-gut power.”
“A powerful debut. Diane Venora is superb.” “On the basis of this film, Monty Lapica has a career ahead of him as a director, an actor or both.” “Self-Medicated is quite the calling card for an artist of ample promise.” “Self-Medicated” is a powerful, personal piece of independent filmmaking. A moving and thoughtful gem. As a director Lapica shares Michael Mann’s talent for combining documentary realism in the behavior with stylized, expressive technique.
“The skilled assurance and confidence of Lapica’s first film imparts a seriousness and depth way beyond his years.”
“Self-Medicated is that rare treat: a really good movie. Lapica’s performance positions him as a rare talent in all three disciplines - and it makes Self-Medicated a fascinating movie.”
“Lapica turns in a fierce performance as his own star. Self-Medicated is a compelling small-scale drama, and Lapica is a talent to watch.”
“Lapica’s debut impresses with its strong, clear voice and desire to tell a very personal story.”
“So moving... Self-Medicated works as well as it does because of the fine ensemble acting.”
“It’s scripted with directness and acted with honesty, it also looks and sounds gorgeous.”
“Thought provoking and engaging, Lapica’s extraordinary debut shows a lot of promise.” SELF+MEDICATED
REVIEWS
“A searing portrait of an out-of-control youth. Strong acting from all quarters and an especially blistering performance from Lapica. Packs a startling punch.”
“In his stunning debut as a writer-director-producer-actor, Monty Lapica compels attention.”
“A great film.”
“With good acting and deft storytelling, Self Medicated offers a rare combination: raw intensity and honesty.”
“Lapica plays the lead well, showing that he can act as well as he writes and directs.” “A searing portrait of an out-of-control youth. Strong acting from all quarters and an especially blistering performance from Lapica. Packs a startling punch.” “Lapica’s turned his experiences into an independent film that has won almost 40 awards at festivals around the world. There are solid reasons Self-Medicated won all those statues.” “Lapica’s craftsmanship as a first-time director is exemplary, at times innovative, and always visually appealing.”
“An explosive, unpredictable shot of adrenaline. Creating not only the character of Andrew, but the words in the script and the visuals on the screen, “Self-Medicated” represents a tour de force accomplishment for young Lapica.”
“Riveting.”
“For a 24-year-old to create such a dynamic film as his first project is amazing.”
“Lapica’s performance is astounding, and no exaggeration is meant in this appraisal. Rarely does one find an adolescent’s troubled life portrayed with such genuine feeling and authenticity. Lapica’s every glance and facial movement communicates volumes; his are such movements as writers base entire chapters on.”
“A chilling and personal look at juvenile psychiatric facilities that marks the debut of a significant new director.”
“This frightening story of abduction and abuse has raised serious questions about parent/teen relationships and discipline.”
“An intense and beautifully acted tale.”
“A daunting and impressive debut.”
“Lapica’s portrayal of youth at bay, battling circumstances beyond his control, recalls the cinematic angst of “Rebel Without a Cause.”
“Top performances and story make this an outstanding specialized release.” SELF+MEDICATED
AWARDS WINNER OF 39 INTERNATIONAL FILM AWARDS Rome Independent Film Festival Australian International Film Festival 2007 Angel Awards 2006 PRISM Film Festival WorldFest International Film Festival Phoenix Film Festival Berkeley Film Festival Memphis International Film Festival Tahoe/Reno International Film Festival Newport Beach International Film Festival San Luis Obispo International Film Festival Zion International Film Festival Santa Fe Film Festival Tiburon International Film Festival DIY Film Festival George Lindsey Film Festival Cosmos International Film Festival Flint International Film Festival Twin Rivers Film Festival Zoie Film Festival Big Island Film Festival Santa Clarita Film Festival Lake Arrowhead Film Festival Trenton International Film Festival BridgeFest Film Festival Canada Staten Island Film Festival Estes Park Film Festival Tony Bennett Foundation VisionFest Film Festival Granada Festival de Cine Charlotte Film Festival
Grand Jury Prize Grand Jury Prize Best Actress (Diane Venora) Winner, Angel Award Winner, PRISM Award Gold Award Sundance Channel Audience Award Best Ensemble Acting Best Feature Best Feature Best Spotlight Feature Best First Feature Best Feature Grand Jury Prize Best of the Southwest Best Actor (Monty Lapica) Best Feature Best Director Best Feature Best Feature Competition Jury Prize Feature Film Award Best Picture Best Feature Up-And-Coming Filmmaker Award Best Feature Fuji Best Feature Shot on Film Best Feature Best Screenplay Best Feature Best New Filmmaker Best Feature Audience Award Inspiration Award Best Feature Best Actor (Monty Lapica) Best Editing Best Screenplay Audience Award SELF+MEDICATED
SYNOPSIS
Based on true events. On the edges of Las Vegas, 17-year-old Andrew’s life is spiraling out of control. Unable to cope with the loss of his father, Andrew’s descent into drugs and violence is gaining momentum, and the once promising young man is now headed for self-destruction (in what Variety calls “an especially blistering performance by Monty Lapica”). Andrew’s mother (Golden Globe nominee Diane Venora), helpless to control her son and fighting an addiction of her own, refuses to watch idly as her only child destroys himself. As a last resort, she hires a private company to forcibly kidnap and confine him in a locked-down and corrupt psychiatric hospital. As Andrew is subjected to the secret physical and emotional abuses of the program something inside him is re-awakened. He must somehow get free to save what’s left of his life, but to do that, he knows he must first face his own demons head-on. Self-Medicated is an extraordinary portrait of redemption and personal triumph over hardship that “packs a startling punch” (Variety). “Raw, unmannered intensity... Self-Medicated is just what the doctor ordered” (Hollywood Reporter). Self-Medicated is the winner of 39 international film festival awards.
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THE CAST
DIANE VENORA (“Louise Eriksen”) Award-winning actress Diane Venora has been a favorite choice for many of the world’s top directors, including Clint Eastwood, Michael Mann, and Francis Ford Coppola. Her recent credits include her portrayal of Liane Wigand in Michael Mann’s “The Insider” opposite Russell Crowe. She previously starred for Mann in the crime drama “Heat” opposite Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro. Diane received several awards, including a Golden Globe nomination, for her role of Chan Parker in the acclaimed feature about Charlie Parker, “Bird,” directed by Clint Eastwood. She starred again for Eastwood in the thriller “True Crime.” In addition, Diane starred opposite Bruce Willis and Richard Gere in the action thriller “The Jackal.” She was also cast opposite Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson in “Ironweed” directed by Hector Babenco. Her other film credits include: “The Cotton Club,” “FX,” and “Surviving Picasso.” A noted Shakespearian actress, Diane has played many of the Bard’s heroines including: Hippolyta in a “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Ophelia, and more recently Gertrude in “Hamlet” and Gloria Capulet in Baz Luhrman’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
MONTY LAPICA (“Andrew Eriksen”) Born and raised in Las Vegas, Monty moved to Los Angeles immediately after high school to pursue his lifelong goal of becoming a filmmaker. The recipient of two academic scholarships, Monty graduated Magna Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. It was during this time that Monty first began outlining what would later become “Self Medicated,” his award-winning debut feature, which he wrote, directed and acted in at age 24.
MICHAEL BOWEN (“Dan Jones”) Veteran actor Michael Bowen has become a staple player for Quentin Tarantino. He was most recently seen in Tarantino’s box office hit “Kill Bill: Vol. 1,” in which he played the evil Nurse Buck, a character impossible to forget. Tarantino had also previously cast him in “Jackie Brown” where he played a cop hot on the trail of Robert DeNiro and Samuel L. Jackson. Bowen starred alongside Tom Cruise in Paul Thomas Anderson’s critically acclaimed ensemble epic, “Magnolia.” His feature film credits also include: “The Godfather III,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Iron Eagle,” and “Valley Girl” with Nicholas Cage. Bowen has guest-starred on all the top-rated television shows over the years including: “Lost,” “CSI,” “The Guardian,” and “The X Files.” Most recently, he starred opposite The Rock in his latest feature film, “Walking Tall.”
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THE CAST
GREG GERMANN (“Keith McCauley”) A native of Houston, Greg Germann is most familiar to audiences worldwide for his portrayal of shark-like Richard Fish on the hit series “Ally McBeal.” He was most recently seen in the Sundance Film Festival hit “Friends with Money” starring Jennifer Aniston. Germann has also starred opposite Chris Rock in the Farrelly Brothers’ feature “Down to Earth” and co-starred in the Warner Bros. film “Sweet November” with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron Germann starred opposite Burt Reynolds in the independent feature “The Last Producer,” and has a memorable cameo in “Jesus’ Son” starring Billy Crudup. His other film credits include: “Once Around,” and “Clear and Present Danger.” In addition to his acting career, Germann wrote and directed the short film “Pete’s Garden,” which premiered in competition at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival and subsequently aired on the Sundance Channel Germann also penned “The Observatory,” a play performed at New York’s Ensemble Studio Theatre and described by the New York Times as “full of fireworks.”
KRISTINA ANAPAU (Nicole) Born on the big island of Hawaii, Kristina Anapau most recently starred alongside Christina Ricci in Wes Craven’s “Cursed” for Dimension Films. She was cast in her first starring role in the Universal / MCA film “Escape from Atlantis.” In 2001 she was chosen by Hollywood Records to become a founding member of their recording group “The 3G’s.” She spent that year recording an album and touring with Destiny’s Child in the MTV TRL summer tour. But her true love remained acting and throughout the years she continued her studies at the famed Larry Moss Studio. Kristina has also appeared in “Madison”, “Cruel Intentions” and “100 Girls,” and on television in the VH1 movie “They Shoot Divas, Don’t They?” Her guest starring roles on television include the series “CSI,” “Once and Again,” “Haunted,” “Opposite Sex” and “For the People.”
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THE FILMMAKERS
MONTY LAPICA (Writer / Director) Born and raised in Las Vegas, Monty moved to Los Angeles immediately after high school to pursue his lifelong goal of becoming a filmmaker. The recipient of two academic scholarships, Monty graduated Magna Cum Laude from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. It was during this time that Monty first began outlining what would later become “Self Medicated,” his award-winning debut feature, which he wrote, directed and acted in at age 24.
DENIS MALONEY (Director of Photography) Denis Maloney has worked non-stop over the past ten years as a cinematographer in both features and television. His film credits include the Oscar nominated film, “The Contender,” starring Jeff Bridges, Joan Allen and Gary Oldman, “Natural Causes,” “The Winner,” and “The Music Within.” His recent film credits include the David Mamet film “Edmond” starring William H. Macy and “The Zodiac” starring Robin Tunney. He also recently shot “The Amateurs” starring Jeff Bridges, Tim Blake Nelson and Joe Pantoliano.
ANTHONY MARINELLI (Composer) Award-winning composer Anthony Marinelli has composed, conducted and performed music for over 30 motion pictures. His work with Oscar-winning composers such as Quincy Jones, Jack Nitzsche, Giorgio Moroder and Arthur Rubenstein aided him in launching his own motion picture scoring career. His impressive film credits include: “The Man From Elysian Fields,” starring Andy Garcia, Mick Jagger, and James Coburn, “15 Minutes,” starring Robert DeNiro, Mike Figgis’ “Timecode,” and “Hotel,” “American Gun,” “2 Days In The Valley,” Don King: Only In America,” “God Said, Ha!,” “Masterminds,” “Young Guns,” and “Internal Affairs.” He also composed music heard in the hit comedies: “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Let It Ride,” and the action hit “Demolition Man.” Anthony also wrote the score for the recent award- winning documentary “Mayor of Sunset Strip.” His many awards include an Emmy Award for Outstanding Composition for the daytime television series “Santa Barbara,” three prestigious Clio Awards, a Cannes Silver Lion and sixteen Belding Awards for his television commercial work. Anthony was in demand as a studio musician by age 16. He also played keyboards on Michael Jackson’s mega-hit “Thriller” album, as well as for such renowned artists as James Brown, Lionel Richie, and Van Halen.
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Self-Medicated received a nationwide theatrical release in August, 2007. The film was distributed by ThinkFilm in 15 of the top 25 markets in the United States, including New York and Los Angeles. The film opened to the highest per-screen averages in several markets and was the top-grossing new release in Las Vegas, besting several studio new releases. ThinkFilm allocated nearly $1 million toward P&A costs to promote and advertise the film. A national advertising campaign included television commercials, print ads, Internet ads, wild postings, outdoor billboards, and a nationwide PR campaign. The phrase “the most award-winning independent film of the year� was included in all advertising, posters and trailers.
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