Shelter (2007 film)

Infobox Film
name = Shelter


caption =
director = Jonah Markowitz
producer = JD Disalvatore
writer = Jonah Markowitz
narrator =
starring = Trevor Wright
Brad Rowe
Tina Holmes
Ross Thomas
music = J. Peter Robinson
cinematography = Joseph White
editing = Michael Hofacre
distributor = here! Films
Regent Releasing (US)
released = flagicon|USA June 16, 2007 (Festival)
flagicon|USA May 2008 (TV premiere)
runtime = 88 min.
country = USA
language = English
budget =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
website = http://www.heretv.com/sheltermovie/
amg_id = 1:400829
imdb_id = 0942384

"Shelter" is a 2007 film starring Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe and Tina Holmes. Winner of two awards at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival for Best New Director and Favorite Narrative Feature, and of the People’s Choice Award for Best Feature at the Vancouver Queer Film Festival, "Shelter" represents the feature directorial debut of Jonah Markowitz, who also wrote the screenplay.

Plot

Zach (Trevor Wright) is a 22-year-old aspiring artist who has put off his dreams of going to art school in order to work and take care of his sister Jeanne (Tina Holmes), his disabled father, and his five-year-old nephew Cody (Jackson Wurth). Working as a short-order cook to make ends meet, Zach escapes during his free time to paint, draw murals, surf, and hang out with his best friend Gabe (Ross Thomas), as well as with his on-again, off-again girlfriend Tori (Katie Walder).

When Gabe’s older brother Shaun (Brad Rowe) comes home to cure a case of writer’s block, Zach and Shaun develop a close friendship as Shaun encourages Zach to take control of his life and pursue his ambition of going to art school. Their friendship develops into an intimate relationship, while at the same time Shaun builds a strong bond with Cody.

Jeanne learns that Zach has been spending time with Shaun and warns Zach that Shaun is gay and to keep Cody away from him. Though his sister is reluctant to accept that Zach himself may be gay, both Gabe and Tori are supportive. Nevertheless, Zach’s relationship with Shaun is strained by his sense of obligation to support his family versus his relationship with Shaun and his desire to pursue his own dreams. Shaun submits Zach’s art school application, and Zach is eventually accepted on full scholarship. When Jeanne’s boyfriend gets a job requiring her to move and leave Cody with Zach, Zach is forced to decide between putting others first and neglecting his own dreams as he has always done, and fighting for what he truly wants, both for himself and Cody. He finally discovers that affirming his love for Shaun and going forward with his art career ends up providing the best solution to his dilemma.

Cast

* Trevor Wright as Zach
* Brad Rowe as Shaun Andrews
* Tina Holmes as Jeanne
* Jackson Wurth as Cody
* Ross Thomas as Gabe
* Katie Walder as Tori
* Albert Reed as Billy
* Joy Gohring as Ellen
* Matt Bushell as Alan

Production

"Shelter" was filmed in 21 days, primarily in San Pedro and Laguna Beach, California, with additional shooting in Bel Air and Malibu, California.

The artwork depicted in the film was the work of LA artist Ryan Graeff. The motion picture soundtrack features original music by Nashville singer and songwriter [http://www.myspace.com/shanemackmusic Shane Mack] , among others.

Release

"Shelter" debuted at the 31^st Frameline Film Festival in San Francisco on 16 June 2007 and is scheduled to run in theaters through 24 July 2008. The film was released on DVD on 27 May 2008 in the United States. The DVD includes production commentary by writer and director Jonah Markowitz along with Trevor Wright and Brad Rowe.

The film was released on DVD in the UK on 11 August 2008.

oundtrack

The soundtrack album, "Shelter OST", was released in 2008.

Awards

* Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival – Won, Best New Director (Jonah Markowitz), 2007.
* Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival – Won, Favorite Narrative Feature, 2007.
* Vancouver Queer Film Festival – Won, People’s Choice Award for Best Feature, 2007.
* Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Won, Best Actor (Trevor Wright), 2007.
* Tampa Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Won, Audience Award for Best Cinematography (Joseph White), 2007.
* Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival – Won, Special Award for first-time director (Jonah Markowitz), 2007.
* Dallas OUT TAKES – Won, Best Film, 2007.
* Outfest – Won, HBO Outstanding First Dramatic Feature (Jonah Markowitz), 2007.
* Melbourne Queer Film Festival – Won, Audience Choice Award for Best Feature, 2007.

External links

* [http://www.heretv.com/sheltermovie/ Shelter] – Official Website
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* [http://groups.myspace.com/sheltermovie Shelter Myspace Group]
* [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/10/PKGIKQ7LIP1.DTL “Surfing pals find much more than good waves in "Shelter"”] – Review by Delfin Vigil of the "San Francisco Chronicle", 10 June 2007, leading up to the film’s debut at Frameline31, San Francisco.
* [http://www.advocate.com/issue_story_ektid52308.asp “Gimme Shelter”] – Article and review by Dennis Hensley of "The Advocate", 11 March 2008.
* [http://movies.nytimes.com/2008/03/28/movies/28shel.html “Out on the Waves: "Shelter" (2007)”] – "New York Times" review of "Shelter", 28 March 2008.
* [http://outfest.blogspot.com/2008/03/buy-shelter-on-dvd.html Blog by JD] – Interview with producer JD Disalvatore.

Ratings sites

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