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There's Still Hope For Dreams ... a PHAMALY Story


THERE'S STILL HOPE FOR DREAMS ... A PHAMALY STORY
(USA, 2009) Director: Mark Dissette
Documentary, English, 71 minutes

SYNOPSIS
"There's Still Hope For Dreams - A PHAMALY Story is a full-length documentary following a theatrical group comprised entirely of disabled performers. Despite their disabilities, PHAMALY takes on productions that were originally choreographed for people who can move both feet and arms, dance freely across the stage, who can see, hear and talk. Actors with Parkinson's, Cerebral Palsy, blindness, paralyzation or amputations, and many other disabilities--who would not otherwise have a chance to perform on stage, have an opportunity to exhibit their talents through PHAMALY. Taking you on their journey, this documentary will appeal to a global audience due to its inspirational message of hope in witnessing these performers strive to overcome major challenges to pursue their dreams.

FROM THE DIRECTOR
"This documentary has been a true labor of love for me. Three years ago, I dragged my producer Jay Wyss to a rehearsal and hooked him on the PHAMALY way, and from this the idea to produce a feature length film grew. With an all volunteer crew, we shot over two hundred hours of footage and poured over another three hundred hours of footage I had gathered over the years. Using equipment we had begged and borrowed, we put in over two thousand hours each to finish our dream. This film is about journeys. Journeys that end in both triumph and tragedy just like life itself. I have been witness to such courage and strength that it has changed who I am as a man. I have learned what it means to be a man from my friends who refuse to be left out of life, men and women who challenge stereotypes and create a place for the world to see and learn that everyone is equal if you just give them a chance. Along the way, many of them have died, but not their dream. The dream carries on; and to those here and gone, I dedicate this film."

THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Mark Dissette
Executive Producer: Terry Austin
Co-Producers / Editors: Jay Wyss, Mark Dissette
Chief Editor: Rob Christensen
Unit Production Manager: Jay Wyss

Segment Producers: Deborah Schoup, Lanette Farrington, Jenny Urice, Alison Greenberg, Kate Fahey
Segment Production Manager: Rachel Wear
Sound Design: Rick Reid
Composers: Michael Sena, Giogio Pretti, Shon Howard, Tony Medina, Mark Dissette
Music Supervisor: Lisa Goldsworthy

Post Production, Color Correction: Anton Antokhin, Denver High Def
Camera Operators: Kevin Bell, Sam Grondorf, Rob Christensen, Jenny Townsend, Lamar Greene, Lanette Farrington, Adam Chrysler, Jeremy Park, Jenny Urice, Dave Main
Sound Operators: Sam Grondorf, Lamar Greene
Web Design/Publicity: Eileen Barker