Private Project

American Rouge

American Rouge è la storia di uno scrittore epilettico (Dejan Jelaca) trasferitosi di recente a New York per avere successo; tuttavia, il cosiddetto “regno della Libertà e delle Opportunità”, è in realtà più epilettico di lui e, pertanto, lo trascina verso la sua disfatta. A causa degli effetti collaterali del Phenobarbital, medicinale usato per prevenire i propri attacchi epilettici, lo scrittore ha allucinazioni e visioni alterate della Statua della Libertà, personificazione di New York, che egli vede rappresentata come una ballerina lasciva del Moulin Rouge (Katie Ostrowski) che tenta di sedurlo promettendogli Libertà e Opportunità: le massime illusioni del grande finto Sogno Americano.

American Rouge is the story of an epileptic writer (Dejan Jelaca), recently moved to New York in search of success. However, the so called “Kingdom of Freedom and Opportunities”, New York, is more epileptic than him and drags him down to his demise. Because of his disease, the writer has hallucinations of the Statue of Liberty as a Tango dancer, who sensually seduces him like the fake Big Dream.

  • Jay Manari
    Director
  • Jay Manari
    Writer
  • Jay Manari
    Producer
  • Dejan Jelaca
    Key Cast
  • Katie Ostrowski
    Key Cast
  • Angelo Marrone
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short
  • Genres:
    Narrative, music video
  • Runtime:
    6 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 21, 2015
  • Production Budget:
    1,839 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Italy
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Jay Manari

Jay Manari is an Italian Film Director, Writer and Filmmaker with experience working in films, TV series, and music videos both in Europe (Italy) and in the U.S (California - Los Angeles & New York).

In the Film Industry, Jay has held numerous professional roles. In LA, Jay began as Executive Development Assistant and Camera Operator for director Simone Bartesaghi at the prestigious Los Angeles Film School. Next, Jay worked within the Cineaste Films Productions for the music video 'Vandaag - Bakermat' and for the TV movie 'Megachurch Murder' (also known as 'Shaker Pointe').

In April 2014, Jay founded ManarìFilmArts Productions Company in Los Angeles.

In New York, Jay produced and directed "American Rouge" (2014), an experimental music video screened in England, New York, and India, and awarded as "Best Experimental Short Film" Audience Award at A Corto Di Donne Film Festival (Pozzuoli, Italy); and "Petite Blanche" (2017), a fiction winner of Best Editing Award along with a Nomination for Best Screenplay at Oniros Film Awards, and a nomination for Best Fiction at Gold Movie Awards.

Recently, ManarìFilmArts produced documentaries, and promo videos for third parties, and is currently working on the preproduction of Jay's feature film called "Feelings In The Shadow".

In January 2018, Jay started working as Creative Art Director for MiraBan LTD company, both curating and managing art events and festivals, such as "MiraBanART Showcase", an itinerary art exhibition, running throughout Italy since July 2018, and MiraBan UK Film Awards, an independent film festival running at the Electric Cinema (London Greater Area).

Since September 2018, Jay has been working as freelance filmmaker in Italy for a variety of video projects and footage on demands websites, such as Black Box LLC.

ManarìFilmArts Productions, sole-trader film and video company founded by Jay, has been in business partnership with MiraBan LTD since its very beginning. Consequently, in September 2019, Jay became MiraBan Co-Chief Officer and moved to Cardiff for the networking and growth of both the companies within the Entertainment Industry.

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Director Statement

Everything that makes the possible out of the impossible depends on how much stubborn you are, how much strength you have and how many people you can convince to believe in your ideas. J.M