Do you sometimes dream of a time and a space where creating beauty is the only thing that matters?

Such places still exist on earth and the movie Χρώματα Ζωές/Local Color is such a place.

            As a young man, John Talia, Jr. has already found his bliss pursuing his painting talent.  Some of us struggle for decades to discover our bliss!

            Don't be too jealous though!  John's greatest challenge still lies ahead.

            Serendipity provides John with the perfect mentor living in his own hometown, the great Russian master, Nicoli Seroff.

            Unfortunately Nicoli and his Russian vodka have withdrawn from the world.  A lifetime of loss and disappointment has made him angry and obnoxious.  Most people are frightened of him and stay away.  John perseveres and learns about painting, friendship and love, both the best and the worst!

            I love the character of Nicoli.  He tries so hard to be obnoxious but John is such an engaged listener, soon Nicoli starts to talk.  Pearls of wisdom easily roll off his tongue.

           The actors are invisible inside the skin of their characters.  Armin Mueller-Stahl is wonderful as Nicoli Seroff.  Trevor Morgan as John Talia, Jr.  is young, handsome and extremely talented.

            A link on Local Color Facebook leads you to a gallery of paintings by George Gallo, the director and writer of the movie.  The character of John Talia, Jr. is based on the true experiences of George Gallo!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Local-Color/ 

           Neither John Talia, Jr. nor Nicoli Seroff are changed from a frog to a prince nor have gained superhuman powers by the end of the film.  But they have both been transformed during the classic hero's journey we have watched them experience.

           Χρώματα Ζωές/Local Color explores the themes of art, creativity and friendship offering the wisdom of both youth and experience with respect to both.  It's a must see film for creative people as well as artists.  I encourage teachers to let their students view it in the classroom.  Especially where art and creativity have been replaced by sports and competition!

              Local Color will be screened at U.S. movie theaters in July or August, 2009, in late March or early April.  Keep your eyes peeled for private screenings before next Spring!  (Just when it wil be great to find air conditioning with entertainment!)

               Here is one of the reviews I read at the LocalColor website. http://www.localcolormovie.com/

 It‘s written by the very observant Mr. Michael Moore.

 Local Color is an emissary for everything that's good, and noble, and worthwhile about independent cinema. And about art, too...  It's a feast for the eyes, a tonic for the heart and a salve for the pain we all feel, one way or another, for the loss of the old in the rush to the new." - Michael Moore, Kitsap Sun from Local Color website

 Χρώματα Ζωές/Local Color

Armin Mueller-Stahl  (Eastern Promises. The West Wing)

Trevor Morgan  (Empire Falls, ER, The Sixth Sense)

Samantha Mathis  (Mists of Avalon, Remember Gwenwyfar, the wife of King Arthur in this film with Angelica Houston?)

Diane Scarwid  (Pushing Daisies)

Ray Liotta and Charles Durning and Ron Perlman (!!!)

Director, Writer:  George Gallo

 Cinematography:  Michael Negrin

Original Music:  Chris Broadman< >Soundtrack wondeful and available on CD!

The movie Χρώματα Ζωές/Local Color takes you away to world in which creating beauty is the only thing that matters.  Χρώματα Ζωές/Local Color is already available in Greece on DVD.  Φίλοι μου, να δείτε το Σαββατοκύριακο την ταινία! Είναι φανταστική! (VIP's, Iron Polytechnio, Chania)