|
Director/Producer, Katia Belas was invited to participate at the Hong Kong International Film Festival for her projects: "The Strength Within You" Film Series and TSWY International Film Festival. The festival happened from May 3-5, 2019. Coming along with her, was our lead Deaf actor Miles Barbee. Both spoke at the Q&A Section after a special screening of all our films and some films selected from our past festivals. And they both participated at seminar about how films can empower the use of Sign Language. The day after the festival was over, they visited the Hong Kong Association of the Deaf where they were asked to do a mini-presentation during a Sing Language Class.
0 Comments
 We are extra, extra proud of having "Turn it Up Louder" by Beethoven's Nightmare in our sound track!
#BeethovensNightmare is the only deaf rock band in the world, formed by Ed Chevvy, Steve Longo and Bob Hiltermann , they have been playing together for over 30 years. As our film talks about #deafculture, having the music contribution from the #deafmusicians is a great honor for us. Check out the song at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WkfI9GH_AI&app=desktop Learn more about the band: https://www.beethovensnightmare.com You can now rent the short-film introduction, "Talk to the Hands - A Prologue" on Amazon.com. Thanks to our Music Supervisor, Kevin King and special thanks to the band members for allowing us to showcase their talents in their song.  KMB Entertainment and Producer/Director, Katia Belas are pleased to announce that "Talk to the Hands" will feature a popular country song "All About Loving You" by singer/songwriter Anastasia Richardson.
Although the film is a romantic love story, it is no secret that the deaf and all other disable individuals still suffer from bullying (basically people don't have to be disable to be a victim, but the disable community has a higher number of victims than many other types or communities). Anastasia's mission is to empower those who suffer of bullying and she hopes to change the world one song at a time. Producer/Director Belas decided to bring her song style to the film as one of the themes for the main characters, AJ and Annie, after an audience research reveals that 30% of the targeted audience interviewed, mentioned that their favorite type of music is country. We know we can't please everyone, but we try to please as many as we can. You can find out more about Anastasia and listen to her songs at: www.anastasiarichardson.com  Martina Bell is joining the cast of Talk to the Hands as Erin, Hank's (played by Eddie Buck) girlfriend. The Deaf couple will have the task to counter part their hearing co-stars couple; Emma (played by Lydia Hooker) and Oscar (played by Paul Kenedy Jr.).
Bell was born deaf and raised in Chicago, Illinois. At an early age, she developed her interest in acting after she was inspired by watching the famous actress, Katharine Hepburn, in her classic features. She earned a bachelor of Fine Art degree in Graphic Design at Rochester Institute of Technology. After moving in California, she has been involved in independent films and television such as "My Dead Ex” (TV show), "Reverse Polarity" (TV series), and “First Crime Out” (feature film). She played the lead role of Sofie in the short film, "Sofie," which won a best short film award at Black San Francisco film festival. Also, it is currently in the festival circuit. She will be featured in the upcoming film, "Miles In Love" in pre-production in summer 2018.  Igor Djenge is a #Deaf actor well known for his comedy skits video on YouTube, Facebook and FNL Network on Amazon Prime Video. But comedy is not the only talent he has, in years he has been seen as model, host, and drama actor among other things.
Igor will be joining our cast as Marco, AJ's deaf gay friend who has his way with the girls too and therefore bringing a little bit of soothing to the problematic relationship between AJ and Annie. Igor is now the 3rd Deaf actor in the cast, as we are still pending the cast of 2 others to complete the main cast who will be working on the filming this summer. Learn more about Igor Djenge at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/igortheofficial  PRESS RELEASE
Los Angeles, CA – KMB Entertainment is proud to announce that international pop-star singer/actress, Meredith O’Connor is the most recent cast addition to the upcoming film “Talk to the Hands”, directed and produced by multi-awarded Brazilian filmmaker Katia Belas. O’Connor’s is the Celebrity Youth Activist for the United Nation; an award winning Radio Hit Songstress, has been deemed an icon in antibullying by The City of Los Angeles, and has been recognized as a leader in her industry by the American Association of Superintendents as well as the Congress. Her music has been featured on Teen Nick and Radio Disney. Her hit songs have sold out headlining concerts globally and are known by millions around the world. Her activism for antibullying and mental health awareness is credited with saving and changing the lives of her fans. Her activism has been a leading force in these causes. O'Connor is honored to serve on the Advisory Boards of the Montessori Model UN, as well as the NGO for Sustainable Development, NY. The video for song "Stronger" premiered on NBC's EXTRA TV. Her full album "I Am" was produced by Grammy Award's nominee, Kenny Ortiz . Her life’s story was made into a feature film distributed by Sony. “Talk to the Hands” is a romantic-comedy starring Miles Barbee (Spring Awakening on Broadway, Freeform TV show “Switched at Birth”, multi-award winning film “This is Ed!!”, a new feature film, “The Silent Natural” as the lead Dummy Hoy) and Reb Johnson (Investigation Discovery TV show “Murderer in Heartland”). The film follows the love story of AJ (Barbee) and Annie (Johnson), a college girl who falls in love with AJ who is Deaf. Without knowing anything about deaf culture, Annie starts to learn a new way of communication and life style while her relationship with AJ imposes many obstacles including the pressure of their own friends (including Mary, played by O’Connor) and both of their communities against them. Apart from witnessing plenty of blunders and beautiful love story, the public will also see a hint of education about the Deaf community including the prejudice and bullying often encountered by those with (hearing) disabilities. Co-written by award-winner Deaf writer Glenn J. Devlin, and also starring Eddie Buck (TV Show “I Killed My BFF”), Lydia Hooker, Chris Law, Paul Kennedy Jr. and Yayel Campos. Other Deaf actors from Broadway and TV Shows are being considered for more roles in this new part of the production, which will total 5 signing roles played by Deaf actors and 7 speaking roles played by hearing actors. The film is currently in its re-development and funding stage. It is scheduled to start preproduction in June and production in August. |
