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The award-winning independent film “The Appearance of a Man” will be screening in the upcoming Sedona Film Festival, on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 1:05pm, at the Harkins Theater 2, and on Friday, February 27, 2009, at 7:00pm at the Harkins Theater 5. The film recently received two awards at the San Diego Film Festival in September 2008, including Heineken’s Red Star Award for Outstanding Film for writer, director, editor, and executive producer Daniel Pace. The festival’s Award for Best Actor went to lead actor/producer Michael Tassoni.
“The Appearance of a Man” is an intriguing, visually stunning story that begins on the night of March 13, 1997, when strange lights where seen in the Phoenix sky. An unknown, yet somehow vaguely recognized man appears in the streets of Phoenix, touching off a series of extraordinary events in the lives of those he encounters. The film’s lead characters, Father Michael (Michael Tassoni), and Jimmy, a Vietnam Vet (Richard Glover), feel their lives deeply affected by the mysterious man. Father Michael is a priest with a passion for helping the needy, but his life takes a turn when strange events begin to take place around him. Baffled and afraid, he travels to Mexico to seek advice from his old mentor, Father Daniel, who decides that it is time to reveal to his younger protégé a secret he has guarded for many years. But before Father Daniel reveals the truth, he is injured in an accident, leaving Father Michael alone and even more confused. Father Michael soon realizes that the mysterious man is trying to make contact with him through hints and coded messages. What he later discovers defies his perception of reality, and the core of his beliefs as a human and as a priest. He realizes that the answers he is seeking are not hidden, but are very much in front of his eyes. For Jimmy, the mysterious man guides him towards finding what he has been seeking for many, many years.
The film explores the unknown, supernatural, and spiritual worlds, even blending passages of the Bible and ancient scripture with contemporary events.
Producer / Director Daniel Pace made the decision early in the film’s production to keep everything within the state of Arizona: “I chose to keep this an Arizona production, not only because it was partially based on the Phoenix lights, but because there is great talent here,” said Pace. “The awards we have earned are an amazing part of our journey. I feel all of my hard work and the work of these talented actors and crew is now being recognized in a great way.”
The film took just under five years to complete. Pace and actor/producer Michael Tassoni found local Phoenix talent and locations to utilize for their production. Pace used a skeleton crew, at most times having only an assistant and grip on hand during filming. He edited the over 200 hours of footage himself, all the while working full time as an engineer and setting aside time for his wife and daughter.
“I knew during our first film that ours was a great partnership, and I wanted to work with him again,” said actor/producer Michael Tassoni of Daniel Pace. The two went to Slamdance Film Festival in 1999 with “14 Ways to Wear Lipstick,” Pace’s second feature. “Daniel is a great talent, and a true innovator.”
Michael Tassoni, a long time stage and film actor stated, commenting on receiving the San Diego Film Festival’s Award for Best Actor for the role of Father Michael: “This award is such an honor, and it is an amazing feeling to receive it. I’m proud to be a part of such a great piece of art and to have worked with such amazing people throughout the process”.
About Daniel Pace
Daniel Pace was born in Argentina and emigrated to the United States in the early 1980’s. He studied Computer Science and started a successful consulting career in the software business. In 1993 he began his incursion in film. He wrote, produced and directed a 16mm feature film titled “Twisted Fate” that was distributed on video. Soon Daniel wrote and produced “14 Ways to Wear Lipstick,” a 35mm full length picture with very limited budget. The film premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in January, 1999. “14 ways…” went on to play in several other festivals and showcases including the Bangkok Film Festival, the Arizona Film Festival and the Ohio University Cinema Guild. In his latest film, “The Appearance of a Man,” Daniel explores the phenomenon of UFOs and the paranormal from a new perspective, guiding his characters through a journey of mystery and discovery.
About Michael Tassoni
Michael began his career as an actor at the age of 15. Since then, having received a BS in Acting from Arizona State University, he became an Equity actor and has been performing in regional theatre around the country for the past 19 years. In 1995 he had the opportunity to work with the legendary Don Bluth on the 20th Century Fox Feature Film “Anastasia.” Michael performed the lead role of Dimitri. From this experience his love for the camera began. In 1997 Daniel Pace hired Michael to associate produce and star in the Feature Film “14 Ways to Wear Lipstick.” The Film was accepted in the 1999 Slamdance Film Festival, the 1999 Independent Feature Film Market, the 1999 Arizona International Film Festival, and the 1999 Bangkok International Film Festival, among others. Soon after, Michael signed with the prestigious J. Michael Bloom Agency, Los Angeles. “The Appearance of a Man” marks Michael’s second feature as producer. Michael also stars as the lead character, “Father Michael.”
Award Winning Director Daniel Pace is available for interview by appointment.
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