Angels Crest (2011)

In the working-class Rocky Mountain town of Angels Crest, young father Ethan (Thomas Dekker) is doing his best to raise his three-year-old son Nate. He has no choice--Nate's mother (Lynn Collins) is an alcoholic. But one snowy day Ethan's momentary lapse in judgment results in tragedy, catapulting the town's tight-knit community into strange new directions as they try to decide where the blame lies.

Director's Statement

It is very hard to warrant making a film about the death of a child. It is the ultimate tragedy. An experience that no one ever wants to conceive. As a mother of three boys, I asked myself time and again why I was attracted to this story. We all have our own demons to exorcise and perhaps grief is one that fascinates me. ANGELS CREST is an exploration of a terrifying journey; a very young man has to take because of one moment of carelessness. It is an examination of the hardship of love and the ties that bind us, and loss and the inevitable grief that moulds us. As a director I want to pay some sort of homage to those who have suffered extraordinarily and honor those who have died far too young. As parents we all do the best we can and this small community embodies a cross section of parents struggling to do their best. Everyone on the film was moved, united, and pained by the tragic story and the actors raw and honest performances is a testament to this. I hope that through their work and the visual, musical and editorial interpretation, we succeeded to do justice to such an enormous subject.

-- Gaby Dellal

About the Actors

Thomas Dekker (Ethan)

Thomas Dekker is one of Hollywood's most talented and engaging young actors. Recently chosen as one of the "five actors to watch" in the Hollywood Reporter, 2011 promises to be a year in which Dekker will be able to show his true range.

This past April, Dekker was seen in HBO Films' CINEMA VERITE, the true story of the Loud family. The Loud family was the first American family to be the subjects of a reality television show. In CINEMA VERITE, Dekker plays Lance Loud, credited as being the first openly gay character on television. His parents, Bill and Patricia, are played by Tim Robbins and Diane Lane respectively. James Gandolfini stars as documentary producer Craig Gilbert.

Dekker can next be seen starring in KABOOM, directed by Gregg Araki. KABOOM, a sci-fi story centered on the sexual awakening of a group of college students, premiered in May 2010 at the Cannes Film Festival and appeared at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival.

Dekker recently completed production on the independent film ANGELS CREST, directed by Gaby Dellal and based on the novel of the same name by Leslie Schwartz. ANGELS CREST follows a young father (Dekker) who loses his three-year-old son. This devastating event affects the whole community, putting it in a state of disarray during the first snowfall of the season.

In April 2010, Dekker co-starred in Michael Bay's remake of NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET opposite Jackie Earle Haley for New Line Cinema and director Sam Bayer.

In June 2009, Dekker appeared in MY SISTER'S KEEPER opposite Cameron Diaz, Abigail Breslin and Alec Baldwin.

Dekker is most known for his role as 'John Connor' in the 2008 Fox series, TERMINATOR: THE SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES. The series followed Sarah Connor and her son John (Dekker), trying to stay under-the-radar from the government as they plotted to destroy the computer network Skynet in hopes of preventing Armageddon.

In 2008, Dekker appeared in FROM WITHIN, which premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival. Directed by Phedon Papamichael, the film focuses on the residents of a small American town who begin to die one-by-one by apparent suicide. Dekker directed the 'behind the scenes' footage of the film, which will appear as a short on the DVD and EPK of FROM WITHIN.

Dekker wore multiple hats as writer, director, editor and co-star in the film WHORE alongside Megan Fox, Rumer Willis and Lena Headey. The film centers around a large group of teens living on the streets of Hollywood trying to make it in the movie business. This is the third film he has written, directed and self produced. Dekker's other credits include NBC's hit series, HEROES where he played 'Zach' the engaging best friend to the cheerleader, 'Claire.' He also spent three seasons as a lead role in the Disney series, HONEY I SHRUNK THE KIDS, which shot in Calgary, Canada.

Dekker has been working professionally in acting in both television and film since he was five years old, including a lead role in John Carpenter's VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED. In addition, his voice was featured in lead roles of various animated films, such as the character of 'Littlefoot' in LAND BEFORE TIME and 'Feivel' in the sequels to AN AMERICAN TALE.

Dekker is also an accomplished composer, singer, songwriter with two albums completed as well as an artist, painter and sculptor.

Dekker currently resides in Los Angeles.

Lynn Collins (Cindy)

Demonstrating her chameleon-like range as an actress, Lynn Collins has most recently starred as Kayla Silverfox in 20th Century Fox's summer blockbuster X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE alongside Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Liev Schreiber and Dominic Monaghan. She also had a recurring role as the vampire loving waitress, Dawn Green, on season one of HBO's hit, TRUE BLOOD. In November 2001 Collins starred in UNCERTAINTY, an improvised film directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel. The film, also starring Joseph Gordon Levitt, is a two-paneled drama about a New York City couple who make a life-changing decision over a Fourth of July weekend. Next for Collins is JOHN CARTER OF MARS for Disney and Pixar opposite Taylor Kitsch and Thomas Haden Church, slated for a spring 2012 release as well as recently wrapped the independent film ANGELS CREST opposite Jeremy Piven.

Collins displayed her tremendous range and versatility starring opposite Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, and Joseph Fiennes in the leading female role in Michael Radford's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. The film made its debut at the Venice Film Festival in August of 2004 and was released by Sony Classics that December. Collins also rounded out the cast of Alan Ball's TOWELHEAD. Based on the novel of the same name by Alicia Erian, the film also stars Aaron Eckhart, Maria Bello and Toni Collette. The film made its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008.

Earlier that same year, Collins was seen on stage at New York's legendary Lucille Lortel Theater in the production of A VERY COMMON PROCEDURE. Collins received rave reviews for her portrayal of Carolyn Goldenhersh, a young woman who loses her baby during a routine surgery. She was also seen in Joel Schumacher's THE NUMBER 23 with Jim Carey and Virginia Madsen, which was released by New Line on February 23, 2007.

NUMB, also starring Matthew Perry, tells the story of a chronically depressed screenwriter (Perry) who is desperately trying to cure his condition when he meets the girl of his dreams (Collins). The film screened at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. Collins was also seen in the William Freydkin directed film BUG, alongside Ashley Judd which was released in May 2007.

In 2006, Collins starred alongside Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock in THE LAKEHOUSE. The film, directed by Alejandro Agretsi, revolves around a lonely doctor (Bullock) and a frustrated architect (Reeves). The two begin exchanging letters and come to discover that they are actually living two years apart.

In the summer of 2005, Lynn played the lead role of "Rosalind" in The NYSF Public Theatre's production of AS YOU LIKE IT at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park, for which she received also rave reviews.

Also in 2005, she completed production on THE DOG PROBLEM, a film written and directed by Scott Caan. The film also stars Giovanni Ribisi, Mena Suvari, Don Cheadle and Scott Caan and screened at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival.

In 2004, Collins appeared in the box office hit 13 GOING ON 30, with Jennifer Garner and 50 FIRST DATES, with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

Collins was born and raised in Texas but moved to New York upon acceptance into the esteemed Julliard School in Manhattan to study acting. While at Julliard, Lynn was honored with the two most prestigious awards given to drama students: The Houseman Award, for Exceptional Ability in Classical Theatre and Command of Language and The Michel St. Denis Award, given to one member of the graduating class for Outstanding Achievement and Commitment to the Ensemble.

After graduating, Collins landed her first starring role on the New York stage, playing "Ophelia" opposite Liev Schrieber in The NYSF Public Theatre's production of HAMLET. Among other roles that followed included Shakespeare's "Juliet" in Sir Peter Hall's production of ROMEO AND JULIET at the Ahmanson Theatre and John Barton's Shakespeare special for PBS. Collins' landed her first leading role on Broadway in Scott Elliot's production of THE WOMEN at The Roundabout Theatre.

Collins divides her time between Los Angeles and New York City.

Elizabeth McGovern (Jane)

Elizabeth earned a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination for her performance in Milos Forman's RAGTIME. She's also starred in Sergio Leone's epic ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA opposite Robert De Niro. Recently, she headlined David Mamet's play "The Shawl" in London. In addition, she's was a special guest star in "Law & Order: SVU," appeared in the films KICK ASS, CLASH OF THE TITANS, and was a series regular in the British TV series "Downton Abbey" opposite Hugh Bonneville.

Jeremy Piven (Jack)

Jeremy Piven, a Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor, is one of the most charismatic and captivating performers on the screen today. His remarkable versatility, combined with the unique depth he brings to his roles, has made him one of the most sought-after actors of his generation.

Piven's acclaimed portrayal of the fast-talking agent 'Ari Gold' in the smash-hit HBO original series "Entourage" has propelled Piven to the forefront of the entertainment industry. Piven won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television amd three Emmy awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He has also received three SAG nominations for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series.

His upcoming film projects include Mark Pellington's ensemble thriller I MELT WITH YOU which premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, Gaby Dellal's indie drama ANGELS CREST based on the novel Angels Crest by Leslie Schwartz, and Dimension Films' SPY KIDS 4: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD.

Previous film credits include Gary Fleder's RUNAWAY JURY; Todd Phillips' hit comedy OLD SCHOOL; Ridley Scott's BLACK HAWK DOWN; Peter Chelsom's SERENDIPTY; Brett Ratner's RUSH HOUR 2 and THE FAMILY MAN; Peter Berg's VERY BAD THINGS and THE KINGDOM; Cameron Crowe's SINGLES; Joe Carnahan's SMOKIN' ACES; Guy Ritchie's ROCKNROLLA and THE PLAYER, for director Robert Altman.

In 2005, Piven returned to his theater acting roots starring in the off-Broadway hit "Fat Pig," by Neil LaBute. Piven received a Distinguished Performance Honor from the Drama League for his performance.

He was born and raised in Chicago, where his parents founded the Piven Theatre Workshop. His father, Byrne, taught the likes of John and Joan Cusack, Roseanna Arquette and Aidan Quinn. Jeremy is still very active with this workshop and returns to Chicago frequently to help keep his father's dream alive.

Mira Sorvino (Angie)

Acclaimed actress Mira Sorvino won the Academy Award, the Golden Globe Award, the Critics' Choice Award, the National Board of Review and the New York Film Critics Circle citations, among other honors, for her performance in Woody Allen's MIGHTY APHRODITE

She was a Golden Globe Award nominee for her performance in Christian Duguay's miniseries HUMAN TRAFFICKING; and had previously been nominated for ROMY AND MICHELLE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION and for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in the HBO film "Norma Jean and Marilyn," which also earned her an Emmy Award nomination.

Recently premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, Sorvino stars in Gaby Dellal's ANGELS CREST opposite Jeremy Piven, Lynn Collins and Kate Walsh. The film follows 3 year-old Nate Denton who wanders away from his father's truck and disappears during the first snow of the season. The search for him ends with the devastating discovery of his frozen body. Nate's death throws the small foothills community of Angels Crest into disarray.

Sorvino recently wrapped production on Nancy Savoca's UNION SQUARE opposite Tammy Blanchard, Michael Rispoli, Daphne Rubin-Vega and Patti LuPone. The independent film focuses on the highs and lows of life, love, and family - and a unique, fresh perspective on the surprisingly deep bond between two sisters.

This past April, Sorvino began production on Christopher Bessette's TRADE OF INNOCENTS opposite Dermot Mulroney. The film is about a couple who, while grieving their daughter's death, set out to rescue girls who are sold into the sex slave trade.

In 2010, Sorvino was seen in Jon Gunn's drama, LIKE DANDELION DUST playing the role of Wendy Porter, the birth mother of an adopted child struggling to find her strength in an abusive marriage. Based on the best-selling novel by Karen Kingsbury, the film explores the different meanings of being a parent through the portrayal of the grittily realistic lives of a struggling blue-collar family (Sorvino and Barry Pepper) and a privileged one (Cole Hauser and Kate Levering). For her performance, Sorvino won the Best Actress Award at the 2009 New York VisionFest, the San Diego Film Festival, the Sonoma Valley Film Festival, the 2010 San Francisco Film Festival and the 2010 California Independent Film Festival, among others.

Other film credits include Brooks Branch's MULTIPLE SARCASMS opposite Timothy Hutton and Stockard Channing; Terry George's RESERVATION ROAD opposite Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Ruffalo and Jennifer Connelly; Robert Redford's QUIZ SHOW Spike Lee's SUMMER OF SAM; David Mirkin's ROMY AND MICHELLE'S HIGH SCHOOL REUNION; Clare Peploe's THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE; Whit Stillman's BARCELONA; Antoine Fuqua's REPLACEMENT KILLERS; Guillermo Del Toro's MIMIC; Gary Winick's SWEET NOTHING; Ted Demme's BEAUTIFUL GIRLS and Rob Weiss' AMONGST FRIENDS, which she also associate-produced.

Additionally, she produced Griffin Dunne's acclaimed independent feature comedy LISA PICARD IS FAMOUS which was an official world premiere selection of the 2000 Cannes International Film Festival; and associate-produced the documentary "Freedom to Hate," on anti-Semitism in the former Soviet Union.

Sorvino's television credits include the NBC miniseries "The Last Templar" as well as a guest-starring role on FOX's "House," and a memorable appearance on Will and Grace.

Onstage, Sorvino has appeared in Joyce Carol Oates' "Greensleeves;" in "Best of Schools," at UBU Rep, and off-Broadway in the Classic Stage Company's adaptation of Pirandello's "Naked," Most recently she has appeared in "Stella in the Bois De Boulogne," about legendary acting guru Stella Adler's formative meetings with the great Konstantin Stanislavsky in Paris.

She was the official ambassador for the worldwide human rights organization Amnesty International's "Stop Violence Against Women" campaign from 2004 to 2008. Her work with Amnesty was recognized at the Artivist Film Festival, which acknowledges socially conscious filmmakers, activist celebrities, and charitable organizations. In March of 2006, she was honored with Amnesty International's Artist of Conscience Award, which is given to those who have displayed strong philanthropic and humanist efforts. Through her work with Amnesty, she lobbied Capitol Hill on such topics as human trafficking and officially testified before Congress on the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

Additionally, she has been a supporter of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime anti-trafficking initiatives since 2007, and in 2009 was appointed to her current position as Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on the subject of Human Trafficking. In 2010, she was honored by 'Save the Children' for her work against Human Trafficking and the United Nations presented her with the 'Humanitarian Advocate of the Year' Award.

Born in Manhattan, Ms. Sorvino is the daughter of veteran actor Paul Sorvino and married to actor/writer Chris Backus and they have three children. She attended Harvard University, where she graduated magna cum laude in East Asian studies and received the Hoopes Prize for her thesis. She has also won the National Italian American Foundation's Achievement Award.

Kate Walsh (Roxanne)

Kate Walsh is currently starring as 'Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery' on the ABC drama "Private Practice," a spin-off of the hit show "Grey's Anatomy" where Walsh made her first appearance in 2005 as the unfaithful wife opposite Patrick Dempsey's character, Derek Shepherd. The enormous success of her character on "Grey's" led ABC, along with writer and creator Shonda Rimes, to create a spin-off based solely on Addison leaving Seattle to reunite with old friends and begin a new life and career in Los Angeles. "Private Practice" also stars Tim Daly, Audra McDonald, Amy Brenneman, Taye Diggs and Paul Adelstein. The show premiered in September of 2007 and just started its fourth season on Wednesday nights on ABC.

During her two seasons on "Grey's Anatomy," the show received a SAG award for "Best Ensemble" in 2007, and received ensemble nominations from both the Screen Actors Guild and the Hollywood Foreign Press respectively in 2006 and 2008. "Grey's" won the Golden Globe for "Best Television Series Drama" in 2007, and was nominated again the following year. The show also received Emmy nominations for "Outstanding Drama Series" in 2006, as well as 2007, and it received three consecutive NAACP Image Awards for "Outstanding Drama Series" in 2006-2008.

Walsh was recently seen in the supernatural thriller LEGION where she starred opposite Paul Bettany and Dennis Quaid.

Walsh began her acting career in Chicago, where she studied at the renowned Piven Theatre Workshop. Walsh then starred in multiple theatre productions at the Shakespeare Repertory, including the critically acclaimed "Born Guilty," "Moon Under Miami" and "Troilus and Cressida."

Walsh then moved to New York and started appearing on various shows, including series regular roles on "The Mike O'Malley Show" (ABC), "Mind of a Married Man" (HBO) and "The Drew Carey Show" (ABC).

In 2005, Walsh co-starred opposite Will Ferrell and Robert Duvall in the feature film KICKING AND SCREAMING. Other film credits include UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN, AFTER THE SUNSET and THE FAMILY MAN

Walsh currently resides in Los Angeles, California.

About the Filmmaker

Gaby Dellal (Director)

Gaby Dellal just finished directing her second feature ANGELS CREST. It is produced by Tim Perrell & Shirley Vercruysse and the cast includes Thomas Dekker, Lynn Collins, Elizabeth McGovern, Joseph Morgan, Jeremy Piven, Mira Sorvino, Kate Walsh and Barbara Williams.

Previous to that Gaby's ON A CLEAR DAY was the opening film at Sundance Film Festival and went on to win Best Film at the Scottish BAFTA's and Locarno Film Festival's Piazza Grande, along with several other awards. The cast includes Peter Mullan, Brenda Blethyn, Billy Boyd, Jamie Sives. It was brought by Focus Features and distributed worldwide.

Gaby Dellal is known to have a knack at discovering new talent. She gave Sienna Miller her first film role in her film TWO WHEELS ONLY. She has made several short films. Her first short introduced Max Minghella, aged 12. She has worked with Joely Richardson, Rachel Weisz, Leslie Manville and Helena Bonham-Carter to name but a few of the wonderful talent that she attracts.

She has several films in development.