The executive producers of “Ron and Laura Take Back America” announce today that their feature won "Best Ensemble Cast" and earned 8 other nominations including "Best Feature," "Best Directors," "Best Screenplay," "Best Actor" and "Best Actress” at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema. 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.
“Ron and Laura Take Back America” is a mockumentary that follows in the footsteps of such films as Christopher Guest’s “Best in Show” and “Waiting for Guffman.” The satirical comedy follows the exploits of a conservative suburban couple who decide to take their country back from Obamacare, Immigration Reform, Gay Marriage… and Hollywood Health Food Nuts!
The film is indeed on a festival winning streak, having garnered a total of 16 awards and nominations from the festival circuit, including “Best Comedy,” “Best of Festival," “Best Director” (England & Markham) and “Best Actress” (Markham) at Indie Fest USA. Earlier in 2014, the film also won “Best Comedy” at the New York City International Film Festival, and earned nominations for “Best US Narrative Feature” and “Best Actor” (England). At Idyllwild, the film also earned nominations for the Mary Austin Women in Film Awards for "Best Director" and "Best Screenplay" (Markham), and "Excellence in Producing" (Markham, Vaccaro and Bedard) at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema in January.
A modern day "All in the Family," the film is a funny, sometimes poignant, look at a family divided by the contemporary political issues of our time. When Ron and Laura decide to film their protests, the “culture wars” land right in their own back yard — they find out their son is gay, and they lose their health insurance! “Ron and Laura Take Back America” draws its humor from sometimes painful realities, and sometimes, just plain silly wacky comedy!
One of the film’s stars and producers, Irene Bedard, known to audiences worldwide as the voice of Disney’s “Pocahontas” as well as playing ground-breaking roles in over forty films, has relished her involvement with the IIFC. Bedard is also the director of Idyllwild’s Native Film Studies Program, in its first year at the festival. “People are really enjoying the film, and we are so grateful it’s getting recognition,” says Bedard. She continues, "Ron and Laura Take Back America" is a film that not only is unique and daring as a political satire – but it’s also hilarious!”
The film is also executive produced by Tony® winning producer Sue Vaccaro (“Clybourne Park”), and produced by Jill Rothman (“Little Tin Man”), Jay Hopkins (“School of Their Own”) Kassi Crews (“A Better Place”) and Neal Rubinstein (Broadway’s “On the Town”).
About Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema
The Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema (IIFC) is an annual, competitive, independent film and arts festival held every January in Idyllwild, California. Founded in 2009, it's been called "the greatest little film festival on earth" by IndieFilm.com and described "like a mini Sundance" by The Hollywood Reporter. The festival runs in mid-January at various venues in Idyllwild, California, including the historic Rustic Theatre. For more information go to www.idyllwildcinemafest.com.
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, in association with Vaccaro Motion Pictures, and is executive produced by Janice Markham (“Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral”), Mel England (“Best Day Ever”) and Sue Vaccaro (Tony winner for “Clybourne Park”). The film is also produced by Jill Rothman (“Little Tin Man”), Jay Hopkins (“School of Their Own”) Kassi Crews (“A Better Place”) and Neal Rubinstein (Broadway’s “On the Town”)
