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David & Layla

Press Release

"Jay Jonroy’s DAVID & LAYLA is a film about an impossible romance that gets at the heart of the hypocritical stereotypes and illusions we all have about differing cultures and religions.  David (David Moscow), a young Jewish man finds Layla (Shiva Rose McDermott), a beautiful Muslim immigrant, and can’t get her off his mind.  But her Kurdish culture doesn’t mix with his Upper East Side origins, and both lovers can’t help but mislead their families about one another as they try to begin their affair.  A true comedy of errors ensues from temple to mosque, from perversion to conversion, and all the while their passions increase regardless of their unlikely attraction.

Films of Conflict & Resolution are unique in their multi-faceted portrayals of conflict around the world.  Every film in this program was made against industry odds, but with the belief that these stories, once viewed by audiences, would resonate with a potent message. Our mission is to utilize the power of cinema to increase awareness and understanding of the human realities of war and conflict.  We present current and archival work made by filmmakers from around the globe, who in the face of intense conflict, strive to illuminate the realities of the world around them—and thus foster the process of peace and conflict resolution through their vision and their art."

11th Avignon/New York Film Festival Nov 9th-13t: French & American Independent Cinema

New York Premiere Screening: David & Layla  

A New York independent film inspired by a true story Star-crossed lovers David & Layla: Romeo & Juliet in New York with a twist -  spice, comedy & politics...via Iraq, Kurdistan &  Israel!   

WHEN   Saturday,  Nov 12th  7 pm   

WHERE  Kaye Playhouse, East 68th St  btw Lex & Park Av, CUNY- Hunter College, Manhattan/New York.

TICKETS 1  By phone 1 212 772 4448  Kaye Playhouse Box Office  12pm - 6pm  Mon -  Sat

              2  In person at Kaye Playhouse Box Office 12-6 pm Mon- Sat. E. 68th St  btw Lex & Park Av

              3  Online at Tickets  

A transatlantic crossroads of French &  American independent cinema, in what Time Out calls "one of New York's best film events." David & Layla is in Competition for "21st Century Filmmaker Awards" decided by audience vote. The 11 films in the Independent American Competition include ROOM, BROOKLYN LOBSTER, etc.  (In the French Competition, there are seven feature films. In the short competition, there are 10 American & 10 French shorts.)

"I laughed and cried…it touches the funny bone as well as the heart.”

Sponsors include Hunter College-CUNY, Sony, The New York Observer, DigiScreen, the Roger Smith Hotel, AbelCineTech, LVT Laser Subtitling, L'Occitane, the Cultural Services of the French Embassy, Unifrance Film International, French Film Office, the Laurie Foundation, the Mathewson Foundation and the Fifi Oscard Agency.

“David and Layla is a brave & fabulous political comedy about the sparks that fly when a Jew and a Muslim fall in love!”

 A New York independent film inspired by a true story Star-crossed lovers David & Layla: Romeo & Juliet in New York with a twist -  spice, comedy & politics...via Iraq, Kurdistan &  Israel!   

“I took my girlfriend to this film. Awesome. Great date movie."

NY Premiere: David & Layla is on final screening night Nov. 12th  Sat. night 7 pm- 9 pm at the historic 624-seat  Kaye Playhouse, East 68th St (btw Park Av & Lex.) If the film wins, it will be re-screened on the closing night ceremony Sunday Nov. 13th.

Festival info:   Avignon New York Film Festival    Ticket Purchase online at:  Tickets   Tickets only $8  reduced to $5 for students & seniors! ($4 for Hunter College students.)

Kaye Playhouse Box Office at East 68th & Lex for tickets & VIP Badges. Tel: 212 772 4448.

Nov. 9-13 fest includes panels and interviews with directors and industry experts, and receptions pouring great wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Niebaum-Coppola.

“A Relevant & Intelligent Romantic Comedy That Is Timely & Timeless!”

David is played by DAVID MOSCOW who starred against JESSICA ALBA in "HONEY" (2004.) As a teenager, David Moscow played young TOM HANKS'  character in the film "BIG' (1988.)

Layla is played by Persian American SHIVA ROSE McDERMOTT. (Credits include: DYSENCHANTED, WOMAN AT THE BEACH, RED ROSES & PETROL- invited to the same NY/Avignon competition.)

Reflecting the film's "cultural diversity", both the ensemble cast of 20+ actors led by CALLIE THORNE ("RESCUE ME" TV) and the film's crew are multi nationals of New York including: Jews, Iranians, Arabs, Armenians, Muslims, Hispanics, Kurds, Greeks, Indians, French, Syrians, Israelis, Asians, Egyptians, Lebanese, Swedish, English...and Americans!

Cinematography is by HARLAN BOSMAJIAN, acclaimed for many award-winning films including the highly successful independent, "LOVELY & AMAZING"  starring Brenda Blethyn, Katherine Keener, et al.

Original Score is by RICHARD HOROWITZ- credits include OLIVER STONE's "Any Given Sunday" and BERNARDO BERTOLUCCI's "The Sheltering Sky."  Vocals are by Horowitz' partner, the New York-based Iranian Kurdish avant-guard, cross-cultural singer/composer/musician,  SUSSAN DEYHIM.

Additional Music is by composer JOHN LISSAUER- credits include David Fincher's "Se7en".

Film's published source music of some 20+ cues is a mélange of Jewish Klezmer featuring THE FLYING BULGAR KLEZMER BAND and THE NEW ORLEANS KLEZMER ALLSTARS, and also featuring world-renowned Iranian and Kurdish musicians and composers  KAYHAN  KALHOR, THE KAMKARS and ALI AKBAR MORADI.    

Q & A after the screening with the director and the principal cast & crew.

Film info at: NewrozFilms.com  or at InternetMovieDataBase: IMDB

Diverse previews  at: IMDB User Comments

Writer/Producer/Director's bio at: Jay Jonroy's IMDB page

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