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Lux in Tenebris

LOGLINE: The life of Annabelina and Tedandra, two sisters trapped inside the dark world of childhood nightmares and life's challenges.

SYNOPSIS

Cleveland, 1990s. Virginia Kelleran gets raped by bad cop Jesse, and gives birth to baby Teddy. Her life dramas continue as part of an interracial relationship with a local street thug called DeShawn, who only cares about his drugs, money, and an underground poker game. DeShawn explodes in violent rage – beating up Virginia and abusing her baby Teddy. Despite abuse, Virginia stays with “her man” and nine months later she gives birth to baby Annie. DeShawn’s violent attitude leads to an assault on Pops (his estranged father), and DeShawn ends up in prison. Virginia raises her two girls with the help of Pops and his sister Peg. Years later, DeShawn gets released and tries to “re-connect”, but this unexpected meeting leads to bloody confrontation. Virginia’s girls end up with “new parents”, trying to find their “light in the darkness”. They battle bullies, PTSD, racism… Teddy’s psychological problems prevents her from talking, but the love for music illuminates her “path”, and with Annie’s help – she will reach an eternal spotlight and find her own “Lux in Tenebris”.

  • Alex Russo
    Writer
  • B. R. Tatalovic
    Producer
  • Alex Russo
    Producer
  • Deborah Ochwat
    Producer
  • Eric Roberts
    Key Cast
  • B. R. Tatalovic
    Director
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 40 minutes 11 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 30, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    245,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital HD/2k
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - B. R. Tatalovic

B. R. Tatalovic is an award winning independent film artist; a native of Belgrade, Serbia who immigrated to the U.S. in 1988, worked variety of factory jobs, while studying mass communication, media, and film. His motion picture credits include a wide range of projects, such as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS EmmyFoundation) award winning short film Fiasco (2009); the film played at over 30 festivals and won additional awards, such as Golden Ace Jury Prize at 2010 Las Vegas IFF. In addition, Tatalovic produced/directed rock documentary B.A.T.: Balkan Rock Nostalgia (2008), and award winning Dying 2 Meet U (2012), an independent film produced on next-to-zero budget (won Best Ohio Cinematography award at 2013 Indie Gathering IFF, and an Official Selection of 2013 Scare-a-Conn Horror & Pop Culture Fan Convention). Tatalovic holds an MFA in Film Producing from Chapman University's Dodge Conservatory (studied under Oscar nominated mentors Alex Rose and David S. Ward). He is experienced in every aspect of motion picture process – from writing to cinematography, directing, and producing. In addition, he is SAG-AFTRA qualified screen actor, and tenured professor of film and media at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Director Statement

My writer says: "You cannot change how you came into the world, but you can change how you go out." Lux in Tenebris is pure hard-edged-in-your-face drama, with an arthouse tone, and spiced up with couple of drops of "hardcore" magical realism. Think: Fassbinder's narrative, with Tarkovsky's abstract approach, and Lars von Trier's shock elements, mixed with one or two drops of Gaspar Noe's twisted tonality. It's an uplifting story of love and hope - coming out of deep and dark holes of human infernos. The light - coming out of darkness! The birth of "new beginning", out of death, destruction, and Kiferian "morbid tracks". Confusing? It might be... But that's the idea. This picture is not designed for mainstream theaters, “popcorn auditoriums”, and box office numbers. This is the film for all of you - who are willing to engage your brain and your soul, and think, think, think... Think about our world, our society, our mortality, our hatred, our beliefs, our ability to love, or not to love... This is the film that will offend, move, disturb... After all, it is pure reflection of our twisted world; the world we live in, but the one we refuse to see and change. Yes, Lux in Tenebris - not just another flickering experience. As my Brazilian friend Paulo Coelho says, “Life moves very fast. It rushes from Heaven to Hell in a matter of seconds”. Or about 100 minutes... See you in the movies.