An independent film directed by a Westport native, starring a Westport native and filmed in part in Westport will have its Bridgeport premiere on Wednesday, Dec. 28.
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Jason ByrdPhotographer from Westport. (Click to enlarge) Contributed photo
“Rise of the BOAS” stars Westport resident Neil Smith, founding drummer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Alice Cooper. (Watch the trailer here.)
Westport-based photographer Jason Byrd funded the two-hour black-and-white film and wrote the original screenplay.
The movie took three years to complete, with filming taking place in more than 30 locations across Connecticut, including Westport, according to a news release.
Featuring more than 40 Connecticut actors, the play premieres at Bridgeport’s Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave. Admission is free, but a $10 donation is appreciated. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., showtime is 7:30 p.m., or January 4 if it snows.
According to a news release, Smith will write the film’s theme song and will play a ruthless Russian mob boss in the all-black and white production, which draws on moral issues rooted in ancient Greek mythology.
A secret government agency hires a group of mercenaries to cut ties between Russian and Mexican drug cartels. The story raises the question: can we change our fate or is life predestined?
Bird has worked as a photographer at Connecticut’s Westport Country Playhouse & Music Theatre, Shakespeare on the Sound in Roweton, American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Darien Dinner Theatre in Bridgeport, Stamford Playhouse and Polka Dot Playhouse.
He was one of the first exhibitors at the Westport Art Centre.
Born in New York City, he spent his formative years traveling throughout Europe, where he developed a continental sense of visual style influenced by the portrait and fashion work of David Bailey, Francesco Scavullo, and Irving Penn.
