Standing in the Shadows of Motown

Their music is famous around the world, though their names are not. Known as the Funk Brothers, they put the backbeat - the soul - into the hits of Motown Records, for such legendary performers as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, and many others. Creating music that helped to define the era of the 1960s and has remained a vital influence to this day, these musicians played on more #1 records than the Beatles, the Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones and Elvis Presley combined. Now the new documentary Standing In The Shadows Of Motown tells their story, combining exclusive interviews, archival footage, re-enactments, reminiscences, and thrilling new performances by the reunited Funk Brothers.

Genre: Documentary and Musical/Performing Arts
Starring: Andre Braugher, Joe Hunter, Joe Messina, Johnny Griffith, Richard Allen
Director: Paul Justman
Release Date: November 15, 2002 (LA/NY).

Colma: The Musical

One town. Two worlds. Three friends forever. Colma: The Musical is an enchanting film that captures the comedy and drama of “coming of age” in the shadow of a great city. Catchy melodies, funny lyrics and appealing teenage protagonists bring South San Francisco’s cemetery town to life in this highly original musical.

A favorite on the festival circuit, the film won the Special Jury Award at the 2006 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival and earned IFP Gotham Award and Independent Spirit Award nominations. A critics’ darling, Colma: The Musical was called “an itty-bitty movie with a great big heart” (New York Times), “a giddy, unexpected pleasure” (LA Weekly) and “irresistible coming of age charmer” (Village Voice).

Director Paul Wong assembles a talented group of San Francisco musicians and actors to make his feature film debut with Colma: The Musical. He started his career in television, most recently working on the Emmy® Award-winning comedy Arrested Development. Colma: The Musical was originally written as a pop album by H.P. Mendoza who also stars in the film, along with Jake Moreno and L.A. Renigan.

Set in the suburban town of Colma, where the dead outnumber the living one thousand to one, Colma: The Musical weaves a fresh personal look into the ups and downs of early adulthood. Best pals Rodel, Billy, and Maribel find themselves in a state of limbo. Fresh out of high school, they are just beginning to explore a new world of part-time mall jobs and crashing college parties. As newfound revelations and romances challenge their relationships with one another and their parents, the trio must assess what to hold onto and how to best follow their dreams.

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Musical
Starring: Brian Raffi, Gigi Guizado, Jake Moreno, L.A. Renigen, Sigrid Sutter
Director: Richard Wong
Release Date: June 22, 2007 (limited)