2020 Angel Film Awards - Monaco International Film Festival angel awards

THE ANGEL FILM AWARDS HONORING SCREENPLAY WRITERS




OFFICIAL SELECTION “PLAYING THE SPECTRUM” WRITTEN BY MARY SEWELL (US)

BIO:

New Zealander Mary Sewell, currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin. A professional violinist for over thirty years, Mary began working in production for independent film and recently found her voice in screen writing. She has worked in theatre and for symphonic stage shows. Mary was co-writer and producer for Fantasy in D Minor. A short film currently making its way around the festivals circuits in Cannes, the United Kingdom and the United States. Fantasy in D Minor won ‘Best International Short Film’ at the Oxford International Film Festival. Mary won Best Factual and Best Family Drama Screenplay Award at the 2018 Angel Film Awards-Monaco International Film Festival

“PLAYING THE SPECTRUM - THE ART OF LOOSING EVERYTHING” WRITTEN BY MARY SEWELL (US)

LOGLINE: (Genre: Comedy/Romance)

When super star cellist Daniel Rothbaum loses everything, a bus ride from Istanbul alters his course.

SYNOPSIS:

Cellist Daniel Rothbaum saves everything for the stage. A Classical Rock star, his interpretations are exquisite. The added anomaly of Synesthesia enhances his performances but this extraordinary talent has come at great personal cost. A needy girlfriend, an overbearing mother who controls from the grave. When life unravels, it is the gift of a priceless cello that looks to turn things around. But misfortune persists until, a bus ride from Istanbul alters his course.

Wedged in his seat, an artist’s sketchbook, it resonates. Daniel’s search for the owner provides new-found purpose. The two tormented lives intertwine but never connect until, he stops looking.

STORY OUTLINE:

Cellist Daniel Rothbaum saves everything for the stage. A classical rock star, his interpretations are exquisite. The added anomaly of synesthesia enhances his performances but this extraordinary talent has come at great personal cost.

Born to academics - his father Otto, is a notable rose breeder/researcher, his mother Violet, a Professor of Mathematical Engineering at NYU and they both keep Daniel on a tight leash. Young Daniel grew up in a practice room, closely monitored by his alcoholic mother who haunts him still from the grave. Domineering women surround him, his manager Marnie (a pit bull in Chanel) works hard for her commission and needy girlfriend Sophie waits patiently in the wings, waiting for him to pop the question. But the cello will always be his first love.

When his instrument is stolen, Daniel is on the hunt for a replacement. Marnie struggles to keep him on track and when the chance of a lifetime presents itself, and a Gorilla cello goes up for sale in Istanbul, Daniel goes out on a limb. Marnie’s patience runs out as does Sophie’s. Daniel’s only supporter is fellow musician Johann who has troubles of his own.

He meets his soul mate in Istanbul, the cello and he are synonymous but it’s not long before disaster strikes again. A jealous luthier ensures that Daniel loses everything. There is nothing left to live for until, a bus ride from Istanbul alters his course. A forgotten sketch book wedged between his seat containing pressed flowers, drawings, and the documented agonies of tormented artist Flora Anderson. About to board his flight, he reads the final entry, the hint of a suicide. Abandoning the flight, Daniel returns to his hotel, determined to find the young artist. Flora’s story unfolds and takes us to the London Docklands where their worlds intertwine but never quite intersect until, a familiar face appears in a Boston art exhibition, a portrait from her sketchbook.

They meet, they fall in love. But love is dangerous and destructive, and it’s a risk Flora is unwilling to take.

Moving in with best friend Johann, Daniel confronts his past by converting his childhood home into a music academy. His mission, to provide a demanding but nurturing environment for aspiring young musicians. A candlelight concert set in Otto’s impressive greenhouse provides a stage for the reunion.