Fine Wine

Fine Wine is a Musical Short Film about the youth of one's spirit at any age. Nicole, a retirement home nurse, takes a journey down the memory lane of her patrons and starts seeing them as young again. She immerses into the magical world of their past and learns that while bodies might change, passion within lives forever.

  • Maria Shamkalian
    Director
  • Maria Shamkalian
    Writer
  • Maria Shamkalian
    Producer
  • Nicholas Shamkalian
    Producer
  • Andre Saballette
    Producer
  • Ani Smith
    Producer
  • John Woods
    Producer
  • Lawrence R. Greenberg
    Producer
  • Lauren Kellett
    Key Cast
    "Nicole"
  • Yolanda Brunner
    Key Cast
    "Rita"
  • Kat Michelle Files
    Key Cast
    "Rita"
  • Ron Morrison
    Key Cast
    "George"
  • Matt Tamburri
    Key Cast
    "George"
  • Denyse Ellington
    Key Cast
    "Leila"
  • Nikki Corinne Thomas
    Key Cast
    "Leila"
  • Vincent Tumeo
    Key Cast
    "Patrick"
  • Keith Rogers
    Key Cast
    "Patrick"
  • Carol Ann Meyer
    Key Cast
    "Nora"
  • Julie Stackhouse
    Key Cast
    "Nora"
  • Raffaello Perfetto
    Key Cast
    "John"
  • Nicholas Shamkalian
    Key Cast
    "John"
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 50 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 16, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    3,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4k 100Mbs
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Maria Shamkalian

Fine Wine is Maria Shamkalian's directorial debut. Maria is a SAG-AFTRA actress, vice-chair of PA Film Industry Association, published author, diversity and anti-bullying activist, and educator. She moved to USA in 2001 and did not speak any English. Since then, she got her Master's Degree in teaching English, Communication, and Acting; participated in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials; staged multiple children's theater shows; published an anti-bullying book about the beauty of diversity; performed with her poetry and speaking engagements; and organized multiple film industry events and charitable fundraisers. Additionally, Maria runs a child day care center and a food program that provides free meals to over 1000 children daily.

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Director Statement

Filmmaking is not just a job, not just a hobby. It's a way of life, a state of mind, a puzzle piece of your soul - without it you feel incomplete. If you fall in love with filmmaking, it's for life. You see movie ideas everywhere, live through screenplays in your sleep. Money does not matter. What matters is that you have a vision that no one sees besides you and your team, until one day you pour your heart and soul out onto that big screen and the world goes "Wow!"
Putting together a film is incredibly difficult, time-consuming and stressful, but every time I dive into it again and again, because that feeling of euphoria when your idea becomes a reality, changes hearts and minds, causes a whirlpool of emotions... when your message is seen and felt by the world... that's when I believe I can fly!

We all are meant for something bigger.
Don't spend your life without an aim!
Get up, create, achieve, be eager
To mark the future with your name!
We all are born for something greater,
Than to just eat and procreate.
Do something now! There is no "later"!
Follow your path, embrace your fate!
We all possess a certain power
To be the change we want to see!
So be that change and do not cower!
Become courageous and proceed!
Don't spend your life on just existing.
You will regret it at the end.
Besides, why would you be resisting
What Heaven has already planned?
We all are born for something greater.
Don't waste your life on sitting still.
Do not embarrass the Creater
And find your purpose to fulfill.
And then your name will live forever,
And then your soul will feel content.
I wish you luck in this endeavor.
Achieve and never say "I can't"!

© Maria Shamkalian 2013