SynopsisMy Brother is an inner city story of two impoverished boys. One brother, James, is developmentally disabled, but functional. The other, Isaiah, was told by his mother that James’ difference was God’s special gift to them, and being the older brother he was to always watch over James. The boys were the offspring of two different fathers who long ago ran from their fatherly obligations, disappearing before the brothers were old enough to remember them. Their mother, L’Tisha, finds herself in a tragic situation. Dying of tuberculosis, she desperately tries to get her two boys, now eight and eleven, adopted together. Hope turns to despair as she is told that it is difficult to get one black boy adopted; two together, with one being developmentally disabled, is practically an impossibility. Her elation at finding that adoption was even possible, turns into a terrifying choice when only Isaiah can be adopted. Separating and saving one son, while condemning the other to a mental institution is unthinkable. L’Tisha goes to her death having ‘talks’ with God and making the only choice she feels she can make; creating an unbreakable bond of love between the boys, and hoping that bond will get them through life. Her prayers are answered as the boys overcome impossible odds on their way to adulthood. In the present, we find the developmentally disabled James working in the garment district. He pushes large carts of material through the city, as a means to financially supports himself and his older brother. Isaiah’s dream is to be a socially conscious stand-up comic, but he is torn between his inability to become one, and his guilt at being dependent on his brother. Isaiah turns to his friend Pharaoh for help. This sets into motion Isaiah taking a job he knows is illegal. The job becomes life threatening and causes the two brothers life long bond to be tested. A confrontation causes Isaiah to panic and flee, unknowingly leaving his brother in the hands of the ruthless men with whom he is dealing. On the run, Isaiah reflects on his life. That reflection takes him to an epiphany. He races back to his brother and to face the men he was fleeing from. Isaiah finds their apartment in shambles and his brother missing. In a desperate search and climactic confrontation, he reunites with his brother, vowing never to leave him again. The story ends with us seeing that the bond their mother forged is truly greater than blood. Credits“My Brother” was written and directed by Academy Award nominee Anthony Lover and produced by award-winning producer Gregory Segal. It was produced by Liberty Artists in association with Angel Baby Entertainment. The cinematographer was John Sawyer and it was edited by Christian Baker. The score was composed by John Califra. Production design by Evelyn Sakash. Art direction by Tavia Trepte. Re-recording mixer – Lee Dichter CastVanessa L. Williams (Ugly Betty, Shaft, Soul Food) – L’Tisha Morton And the first two African American actors with Down Syndrome ever to play lead roles in a major motion picture, Vanessa Williams (as L’Tisha), known as both a music and screen star, is the film’s big name. Along with Oprah Winfrey and Halle Berry, she is perhaps one of the best known African-American female celebrities in the world. She is instantly recognizable with American and foreign audiences. Her being a single mother, and due to her meteoric rise after her difficulties in losing the Miss America Crown, she is a hero to African-American audiences, who admire her multiple triumphs over adversity. Vanessa is starring in the new ABC hit series “Ugly Betty”. In the starring role in the film, Nashawn Kearse (as adult Isaiah) shines. Handsome yet vulnerable, as a new talented face to audiences, he is on his way to becoming very familiar. Nashawn was a cast member on ABC’s Desperate Housewives. Fredro Starr (as Isaiah’s best friend, Pharaoh) made his name with the beloved rap group, Onyx. He has starred in film’s like Save The Last Dance, which did over $90 million theatrically in the U.S., and starred on the hit TV show, Moesha, for five years. Tatum O’Neal (as love interest, Erica), the youngest Academy Award-winning actress in history, reaches a whole different demographic, and remains an attraction for more nostalgic audiences. In addition, she’s recently been cast in FX’s top drama, Rescue Me, as Dennis Leary’s sister. Joey “Talent” Harris (as Joey) is a familiar face to African-American audiences, but more importantly, an even more familiar voice. His syndicated radio show (on Kiss-FM) is estimated to reach upwards of three million African-American listeners, and he’s agreed to promote the Film to his audiences. He’ll do interviews with Vanessa Williams and Rodney Henry (Young Isaiah), a young rising talent who starred as Simba in the Lion King on Broadway. Finally, the performances of Christopher Scott and Donovan Jennings, our two developmentally disabled stars (as James and Young James, respectively), will connect us to the tens of thousands of disabled persons organizations across the country that are waiting for a project like this. One that proves what faith in the disabled can yield. Theirs’ is an amazing success story. These two boys, who never acted before, learn and perform as equal talent opposite stars with vast experience in major motion pictures. AwardsWinner of 26 awards and honors to date at film festivals around the United States, making it one of the most celebrated films targeting the African American audience in recent memory. Winner of the HBO American Black Film Festival Grand Jury Prize for Best Picture, and Founder’s Award for Achievement In Independent Cinema for Christopher Scott, making him the first African American with an intellectual disability to receive a film award at a major festival. Other selected awards include Best Actor (Nashawn Kearse), Actress (Vanessa Williams) and Film (Audience Award) at the Harlem International Film Festival, Best Film at the Texas Black Film Festival, and many others. Publicity Contact:Ellene Miles/Ava DuVernay
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