 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
| The New York Optimist |
SHARE
The Big Shot-Caller
A film by Marlene Rhein
Opens in NYC at the QUAD on May 15
Filmmaker Marlene Rhein is based in NYC and is available for interviews
A film by Marlene Rhein
Opens in NYC at the QUAD on May 15
Filmmaker Marlene Rhein is based in NYC and is available for interviews
Stella Films and International Film Circuit are proud to present the US theatrical release of THE BIG SHOT-
CALLER, a film by Marlene Rhein. After a successful festival run, including the 2008 NY Latino Film Festival,
THE BIG SHOT-CALLER will open in New York at the Quad Cinemas on May 15, 2009.
As a child, Jamie Lesser (David Rhein) watched ‘Strictly Ballroom’ ninety-seven times a day and dreamed of
being a salsa dancer, but his vision handicap of severe near-sightedness and ‘real life’ caught up with him.
Living in New York City, working as an accountant, his life seems to make sense. He works nine to five, has a
nightly beer in a sports bar (where he can’t even see the screens), but goes home with hardly any human
interactions.
One night after receiving a promotion at work and feeling cocky, he decides to stop by the salsa party at a
dance studio. He accidentally bumps into Elissa, a gorgeous Dominican girl from Washington Heights, and
before Jamie knows it, Elissa and her friend get him drunk at a nearby bar. Although he tries to maintain a cool
distance, over time he falls head over heels in love - a first in his lonely world.
Elissa is now something for Jamie to wake up for and the reason to spend hours constructing witty text
messages. His world is brighter and more vivid than ever before…until Elissa stops calling him back. No
explanation. Nothing. To return to the loveless world that was his reality before she came along is too
unbearable. He sinks into a downward spiral and begins to lose everything; his job, his apartment, his self-
esteem. With nowhere else to go, he reluctantly moves in with his estranged sister, Lianne (Marlene Rhein) – a
streetwise, self-proclaimed hip hop dancing dynamo.
She tells him that this is all happening for a reason: that God, ‘The Big Shot-Caller,’ is in charge; that if he
reaches for his childhood love of Salsa dancing, he will find the answer to his broken heart; that you must look
within to find happiness. Jamie ignores her psycho-spiritual banter and takes menial jobs to keep from feeling
the pain. When even that doesn’t stop the downward spiral from engulfing him and the darkness has left him
no option, he goes to the dance studio for a vulnerable first attempt at Salsa class.
He sets his sights on ‘kicking ass’ at the upcoming dance social. With no partner to help him, he enlists the
help of Lianne to be his Salsa partner. The result is an inspiring, heart-warming story of a brother and sister
overcoming their conflict to help each other find joy. Their triumph is small to the outside world, but huge
inside their hearts.
About the Filmmaker:
Marlene Rhein has directed over forty music videos, including 2Pac Shakur’s last one, ‘All About You’ and the
controversial ‘Fuck Me Pumps’ for Amy Winehouse. Her video for British R&B group, Another Level, shot to
number one, earning Marlene success as one of the most prolific video directors in London. After studying
acting at the prestigious Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Acting studio in Los Angeles, Marlene wrote, directed and
starred in her nine-minute comedy short film, ‘Let Me Tell You A Story,’ filmed one weekend in London with
her usual music video crew. The film went on to win several awards and caught the attention of FILMMAKER
MAGAZINE, who selected her as one of the ’25 New Faces of Independent Film.’ In addition to directing
videos, Marlene has written, directed, and starred in two acclaimed Manhattan Repertory Theatre plays on 42nd
Street, 'Telling Yourself It Doesn’t Matter,’ and ‘Customer Service.’ THE BIG SHOT-CALLER is her debut as
a feature film writer/director.
CALLER, a film by Marlene Rhein. After a successful festival run, including the 2008 NY Latino Film Festival,
THE BIG SHOT-CALLER will open in New York at the Quad Cinemas on May 15, 2009.
As a child, Jamie Lesser (David Rhein) watched ‘Strictly Ballroom’ ninety-seven times a day and dreamed of
being a salsa dancer, but his vision handicap of severe near-sightedness and ‘real life’ caught up with him.
Living in New York City, working as an accountant, his life seems to make sense. He works nine to five, has a
nightly beer in a sports bar (where he can’t even see the screens), but goes home with hardly any human
interactions.
One night after receiving a promotion at work and feeling cocky, he decides to stop by the salsa party at a
dance studio. He accidentally bumps into Elissa, a gorgeous Dominican girl from Washington Heights, and
before Jamie knows it, Elissa and her friend get him drunk at a nearby bar. Although he tries to maintain a cool
distance, over time he falls head over heels in love - a first in his lonely world.
Elissa is now something for Jamie to wake up for and the reason to spend hours constructing witty text
messages. His world is brighter and more vivid than ever before…until Elissa stops calling him back. No
explanation. Nothing. To return to the loveless world that was his reality before she came along is too
unbearable. He sinks into a downward spiral and begins to lose everything; his job, his apartment, his self-
esteem. With nowhere else to go, he reluctantly moves in with his estranged sister, Lianne (Marlene Rhein) – a
streetwise, self-proclaimed hip hop dancing dynamo.
She tells him that this is all happening for a reason: that God, ‘The Big Shot-Caller,’ is in charge; that if he
reaches for his childhood love of Salsa dancing, he will find the answer to his broken heart; that you must look
within to find happiness. Jamie ignores her psycho-spiritual banter and takes menial jobs to keep from feeling
the pain. When even that doesn’t stop the downward spiral from engulfing him and the darkness has left him
no option, he goes to the dance studio for a vulnerable first attempt at Salsa class.
He sets his sights on ‘kicking ass’ at the upcoming dance social. With no partner to help him, he enlists the
help of Lianne to be his Salsa partner. The result is an inspiring, heart-warming story of a brother and sister
overcoming their conflict to help each other find joy. Their triumph is small to the outside world, but huge
inside their hearts.
About the Filmmaker:
Marlene Rhein has directed over forty music videos, including 2Pac Shakur’s last one, ‘All About You’ and the
controversial ‘Fuck Me Pumps’ for Amy Winehouse. Her video for British R&B group, Another Level, shot to
number one, earning Marlene success as one of the most prolific video directors in London. After studying
acting at the prestigious Joanne Baron/D.W. Brown Acting studio in Los Angeles, Marlene wrote, directed and
starred in her nine-minute comedy short film, ‘Let Me Tell You A Story,’ filmed one weekend in London with
her usual music video crew. The film went on to win several awards and caught the attention of FILMMAKER
MAGAZINE, who selected her as one of the ’25 New Faces of Independent Film.’ In addition to directing
videos, Marlene has written, directed, and starred in two acclaimed Manhattan Repertory Theatre plays on 42nd
Street, 'Telling Yourself It Doesn’t Matter,’ and ‘Customer Service.’ THE BIG SHOT-CALLER is her debut as
a feature film writer/director.
Web Site:
http://www.thebigshotcaller.com/
http://www.thebigshotcaller.com/
Running Time: 90 min., Format: HDCAM, 2008, In Spanish with English subtitles and in English, USA
To request a screener for review/interview purposes, please contact Sasha Berman at Shotwell Media at 310-450-5571 or by email at
SashaBerman@mac.com
SashaBerman@mac.com