The executive producers of “Ron and Laura Take Back America” announce today that their feature won four awards including “Best Comedy” and “Best of Festival” at the Indie Fest USA International Film Festival. Wins also include “Best Director” (Mel England, Janice Markham) and “Best Actress” (Markham). Written and directed by its co-stars, the comedy team of Mel England (“Little Big Top”) and Janice Markham (“Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral”), the film also stars Golden Globe Best Actress Nominee Irene Bedard (“Into the West”), Jim J. Bullock (“The New Hollywood Squares”), and features a celebrity cameo by Academy Award® Best Actress Nominee Sally Kirkland.
The mockumentary political satire recently also won “Best Comedy” and earned “Best US Narrative Feature” and “Best Actor” (England) nominations at the New York City International Film Festival. A co-production of Vox Box Entertainment and Magical Iguana Productions in association with Vaccaro Pictures, the feature is executive produced by Markham, England and Sue Vaccaro (Tony winning producer for “Clybourne Park”), and producers include Jill Rothman (“Life in Short”), Jay Hopkins (“A School of their Own”), Kassi Crews (“A Better Place”) and Neal Rubinstein (Broadway’s “On the Town”). The film is scheduled to be the Opening Film of the prestigious Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema in January of 2014.
“I am honored to win Best Actress, a first for me in a festival, but really, to have this honor be for a movie that has been such an adventure, wearing so many hats with Mel, and it being such an undertaking is quite surreal,” Markham exclaims. “You know, I have been so enamored of the mockumentary genre for so long, as a Rob Reiner and Christopher Guest fan, and it’s been a wildly satiating ride, taking this type of filmmaking on.”
“We were completely surprised, especially with four wins! We were kind of shocked, to be honest,” says England, adding “and it means so much, especially at Indie Fest!” Having starred in the festival’s 2012 “Best Comedy” winner “Persona Au Gratin,” England returned to Indie Fest USA this year, with both “Ron and Laura Take Back America” and this year’s “Best LGBT Feature Film” winner “Best Day Ever.” England continues, “I think it’s because comedies just aren’t usually what you think of with awards — but people are drawn in because we confront some really hot button topics straight on.”
“Taking current newsworthy issues and seeing the response from the characters in the film as a sort of mirror to society in a satirical and humorous way – that has been our goal in making this film.” echoes Markham. “But, also, we deal with that common theme from Greek tragedy through Shakespeare, Edward Albee, even reality television – bridging the cultural gap between parents and child. And so it continues…!”
The film follows the exploits of a conservative couple, Ron and Laura Grawsill, who decide to join the movement to “Take America Back!” Ron and Laura take on the fight against Obamacare and Gay Marriage, with the help of local politicians and the "Real Suburban Housewives of Bakersfield.” But, when they decide to film their protests, the “culture wars” land right in their own back yard — they find out their son is gay, and then they lose their health insurance! Surrounded by Gay Americans, Undocumented Americans, Muslim Americans, African Americans, and a few health food nuts, Ron and Laura are determined to save their son — and their country! In the final showdown, Ron and Laura take the battle to their favorite reality TV star, America's Top Celebrity Designer, Bob Zackie!
About “Ron and Laura Take Back America”
“Ron and Laura Take Back America” is a mockumentary satire about a suburban couple who decide to take their country back from Obamacare, Gay Marriage, and Hollywood Health Food Nuts! The feature film is a joint production of Vox Box Entertainment and Magical Iguana Productions.
About Indie Fest USA
Southern California's only free indie film festival, Indie Fest USA Int’l Film Festival, established in 2007, is an exciting and entertaining eclectic mix of exceptional independent films from the US and international filmmakers and also includes outstanding local and regional bands and solo artists in genres including rock, alt. rock, jazz, folk, cover and indie. Over 1500 films from around the world have been screened, been attended by more than 1700 filmmakers and 15,000 film fans. Films are shown in drive-in style held in the Village Green Park. There are red carpet events, special guests and celebrities including Academy Award nominees and Golden Globe Winners, opening and closing night parties, daily seminars, socials plus networking galore (http://www.indiefestusa.com).
Additional information:
http://www.ronandlauratakebackamerica.com
http://www.facebook.com/ronandlaura