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BAM BAM AND CELESTE By Margaret Cho
Starring MARGARET CHO BRUCE DANIELS ALAN CUMMING JANE LYNCH ELAINE HENDRIX KATHY NAJIMY JOHN CHO WILSON CRUZ And MOMMY A Salty Features and Cho Taussig Production
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BAM BAM AND CELESTE BAM BAM AND CELESTE
is a madcap small-town-to-downtown coming of age journey that turns
longtime friends Bam Bam and Celeste from outcasts to overnight sensations
as they leave their buttoned up Midwest town for the wide open streets
of New York City. In the first feature screenplay written by Margaret
Cho, Cho stars alongside Bruce Daniels (Margaret's friend and opening
act for whom she wrote the part of Bam Bam). Alan Cumming (X2: X-MEN
UNITED, Tony Award winner for CABARET), Jane Lynch (THE 40 YEAR OLD
VIRGIN, BEST IN SHOW), John Cho (HAROLD AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE),
Wilson Cruz (RENT, MY SO-CALLED LIFE) and Kathy Najimy (SISTER ACT
1 & 2) provide irresistibly spirited support. In addition to playing
the title role of Celeste, Cho also plays Mommy, the hysterically
funny and touching impersonation of her own mother cherished by Cho's
fans. The film is directed by Lorene Machado, Cho's longtime creative
collaborator on the concert films. In BAM BAM AND CELESTE, Cho's outrageous
and hilarious, and ultimately empowering personal voice gives birth
to a film that captures her infectious spirit. Synopsis In BAM BAM AND CELESTE, Celeste (Margaret Cho) and Bam Bam (Bruce Daniels) are best friends still stuck in the white bread Midwest hometown where they grew up. Celeste lives at home with her out-of-touch Mommy (also played by Cho) and has retained her outcast status since high school. She and Bam Bam are free-spirited rejects in a town where looking or dressing differently is perpetually uncool. Shunned on a good day and taunted on a bad one, the only thing Bam Bam and Celeste have is each other. They both feel life is passing them by. After seeing an ad for a contestant search for TRADING FACES, a reality makeover show in N.Y., they decide, like so many misfits before them, to follow their dreams to New York City. Their
yellow brick road to the Big Apple is strewn with potential disasters
and comical crises, as they encounter thugs, survivalists, racists and
a "lesbian Lone Ranger," played with ballsy charm by Jane BAM
BAM AND CELESTE
"Writing the
script was pretty easy. I had a first draft in a weekend. It took two
years to finally raise the money to make the film. Not that I am complaining,
since I know now that many films take even longer to "One of the
beautiful discoveries of making this film was seeing actors take the
words I had written and magically transform them into people. It is
sorcery, what good actors can do. They can conjure up these "Lorene Machado and I had worked together for many years making my concert films, and it was such a comfort to have her at the helm because I knew that whatever happened, she would understand what I wanted in the scene and she would do everything to make sure she got it. I had never really gotten used to the whole process of collaboration, but Lorene made it completely effortless. Even though the hours were long and the shooting schedule impossible and unrelenting, especially for me playing two characters and being combination producer/investor/punching bag for everyone else, every second was filled with excited anticipation. Here was a world that I created, from faded bits of memory, scraps of old friends and enemies, all these discordant elements of my past and my imagined future, and it was becoming real, brought to life by some extraordinary people. I loved making this film, and I can't wait to do the next one."
BAM
BAM AND CELESTE "I was at LAX
when I read Margaret's first draft of BAM BAM AND CELESTE, and I laughed
out loud like I was the only fool in the airport. I knew I was going
to be involved with the film in some capacity, but I was "As films go,
this one was no cakewalk. We had funding mishaps that forced us to shut
down production 10 days before the first day of principal photography.
We were shooting during the worst rainfall that Los Angeles had seen
in 100 years - insert the typical 'making of indie film' adventures
here, because they all applied. However, as a first time narrative director,
I don't know how I could have gotten luckier. The cast is filled with
many of my personal heroes, and some old and new friends, who came to
the set ready to rock every minute. The producers, the DP (Matt Clark),
and the rest of the crew were extremely talented, committed and engaged.
I had a clear path every day to focus on my job. "Eva
Kolodner told me years ago that one of the best things that can happen
to a film is that it doesn't get funded right away, because it forces
the filmmakers to hone the story and develop the material. I distinctly
remember thinking, "Great point. But screw that, I'd rather not
wait." Now I gotta give it up to Eva, because she was right. While
Margaret and I spent the next two years making two concert films and
a documentary, we also used that time to discuss, research, riff, and
dream. When the time came to actually make BAM BAM AND CELESTE, we had
a clear direction. We knew that we wanted to play it real and let the "People often
ask me how Margaret and I started working together, and if it had anything
to do with the fact that we're both, ok, hold on to your hats here --
Asian women. Actually, that's probably how we first really "The set of
BAM BAM AND CELESTE had a great energy. It was fun, spontaneous, creative,
a little naughty, and really really hard work. We all laughed a lot.
We laughed until our stomachs hurt and we couldn't breathe. Thankfully,
the heart and the humor that laced Margaret's first draft, I believe,
is still intact. I'm pleased and thrilled to send BAM BAM AND CELESTE
road-tripping into the world. I hope the laughter BAM
BAM AND CELESTE
Comedian and writer Margaret Cho has been performing for audiences since she was sixteen. In the past five years she's launched four sold-out national tours and turned each into a concert film. In 1999, she chronicled
her experience on the ill-fated sitcom ALL AMERICAN GIRL in an off-Broadway
one-woman show called I'M THE ONE THAT I WANT. The show was extremely
well received, toured the U.S, and was made into a concert film and
a best-selling book of the same name. The film garnered incredible reviews
and broke the record for the most money grossed per print in movie history.
In 2001, after the success of her In 2004, Cho took
her politically charged STATE OF EMERGENCY tour through the swing states
of the Presidential election. Lauded as "Murderously funny!"
by the New York Times, STATE OF EMERGENCY BAM BAM AND CELESTE is her first narrative feature.
Bruce Daniels is
an actor and comedian. Dubbed "the main fag behind America's number
one hag" by OUT MAGAZINE, Daniels started performing stand-up after
meeting comedian Margaret Cho on the set of the Alan Cumming - Eugene Alan trained at
the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. On the New York stage
he has appeared in ELLE (which he also adapted), DESIGN FOR LIVING and
CABARET (for which he won the Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle,
Theater World, New York Press, FANY and New York Public Advocate's Awards).
On the London stage: HAMLET at the Donmar Warehouse (TMA Best Actor
award and Shakespeare Globe nomination), CABARET (Olivier nomination),
LA BETE(Olivier nomination), CONQUEST OF THE SOUTH POLE (Olivier nomination)
and seasons with the RSC and RNT, where he won an Olivier Award for
his performance in ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST (which he also co-adapted). Elaine Hendrix - Jackie Elaine Hendrix has recently starred in INSPECTOR GADGET 2, WHAT THE &%^* DO WE KNOW??? and OUR VERY FIRST SEX TAPE, the #1 short in www.atomfilms.com history, directed by Amy Talkington and co-starring "THE BACHELOR" Alex Michel. Hendrix is presently recurring along side Joe Mantegna and Mary Steenburgen, on the critically acclaimed JOAN OF ARCADIA, as well as a recurring role on OLIVER BEENE. Her numerous TV credits also include MOW MR. ST NICK, THE CHROICLE, and guest starring roles on FRIENDS, CSI, CROSSING JORDAN, MR. STERLING, WATCHING ELLIE, and THE ANDY DICK SHOW, and being featured on NBC's GREAT WOMEN OF COMEDY special. Hendrix is deepening her theatrical roots by co-producing and performing in PLAYING FOREVER, a series of staged readings of classic screenplays at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Additionally, she has received much praise for creating, producing, and performing in PEEP SHOW...FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE, an adult variety show hailed as "THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW on acid." Hendrix first captivated
film audiences the VOGUE magazine fashion editor in ROMY AND MICHELLE'S
HIGH SCHOOL REUNION, then in SUPERSTAR opposite Molly Shannon and Will
Ferrell, THE PARENT TRAP, HERE ON EARTH, MOLLY with Elizabeth Shue and
Aaron Eckhart, WISH YOU WERE DEAD with John Cho - Stephan Born in Seoul, Korea, and raised in Los Angeles, C.A., Cho began acting while studying English literature at the University of California, Berkeley. His first professional
performance was THE WOMAN WARRIOR, produced first by the Berkeley Repertory
Theatre, then the Huntington Theatre in Boston, M.A., and finally the
James Doolittle Theatre in Los Angeles. On the big screen, Cho has appeared in HAROLD AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE, OFF CENTRE, AMERICAN PIE 1 and 2, DOWN TO EARTH, THE FLINTSTONES IN VIVA ROCK VEGAS, AMERICAN BEAUTY, BIG FAT LIAR, BETTER LUCK TOMORROW, IN GOOD COMPANY and SOLARIS. Television credits include the TV movie THE TIGER WOODS STORY as well as guest-starring roles on FELICITY, CHARMED and THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN. He is currently in production on NBC's THE MEN'S ROOM. Jane Lynch - Darlene Jane cut her theatrical teeth at The Second City, Steppenwolf Theatre and in many church basements all over the greater Chicagoland area. Her screen credits include 40-YEAR-OLD VIRGIN, LEMONY SNICKET'S A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, SLEEPOVER, SURVIVING EDEN for director Greg Pritikin, THE CALIFORNIANS opposite Noah Wylie, A MIGHTY WIND, THE AVIATOR for director Martin Scorsese, BEST IN SHOW, COLLATERAL DAMAGE, WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? and THE FUGITIVE. On television, she's
been a series regular on ABC's medical dramedy MD'S, and had recurring
roles on BLIND JUSTICE, THE L WORD, TWO AND A HALF MEN, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT,
ACCORDING TO JIM, SEVENTH HEAVEN, FELICITY, JUDGING AMY and THE WEST
WING and has guest starred on Jane's creation, OH SISTER, MY SISTER! which previously ran at the Tamarind Theatre and Bang Theatre garnering the LA Weekly Comedy Ensemble of the Year Award, was recently brought back to the Los Angeles theatre scene to great success. Wilson Cruz - Tony Cruz first won
the hearts of audiences playing 'Rickie,' a troubled, introspective
teenager on the critically acclaimed series, MY SO-CALLED LIFE. He again
earned fans and critical acclaim for his role of 'Angel' Cruz landed a series regular role on PARTY OF FIVE and his character quickly became an integral part of the show. Other television credits include guest appearances on ER, THE WEST WING, and a guest appearance as a tortured transvestite airing on a special Christmas episode of ALLY McBEAL. Cruz had roles in such films as SUPERNOVA, NIXON, JOHNS, ALL OVER ME, JOYRIDE and PARTY MONSTER. Cruz is currently
preparing to co-star in a new musical called A PERFECT WEDDING. A modern
take on Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS' DREAM, the production is being
directed by Gordon Davidson. Kathy Najimy - Recently Kathy was voted Ms. Magazine's "Woman of the Year 2004." She has starred as the legendary Mae West in the Broadway play, DIRTY BLONDE both on Broadway and later at The Old Globe Theatre (2003 Best Actress-Critic's Circle Award). She currently provides the voice of "Peggy Hill," KING OF THE HILL, for which she received an Annie Award, and 2 WIN awards. Her other credits
include VERONICA'S CLOSET, for which she received an American Comedy
Award nomination, SISTER ACT 1 and 2, which won her an American Comedy
Award for Funniest Supporting Actress and the Hollywood Women's Press
Club's Female Discovery of the Year, HBO'S IF THESE WALLS Najimy's KATHY & MO: THE DARK SIDE, won Cable Ace Awards for her roles as actor, writer and Executive Producer of the special, as well as an American Comedy Award nomination for her performance. The original KATHY & MO SHOW: PARALLEL LIVES, which Kathy also starred in and wrote, with Mo Gaffney, garnered her two Cable Ace Awards and an Obie Award for the Off-Broadway stage show. Additionally, she has appeared on SHE TV, FOOL FOR LOVE, CHICAGO HOPE, EARLY EDITION and ELLEN. Najimy directed
the Off-Broadway production of the critical hit, BACK TO BACHARACH AND
DAVID, and directed the Off-Off Broadway plays DON'T GET ME STARTED
and I CAN PUT MY FIST IN MY MOUTH. ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
MAGARET CHO'S FILMS & CONCERTS I'M THE ONE THAT I WANT In 1999, Cho's groundbreaking
smash-hit one-woman show I'M THE ONE THAT NOTORIOUS C.H.O. In 2002, Cho's next
live tour, NOTORIOUS C.H.O., covered 37 cities with REVOLUTION Margaret Cho's third
tour, REVOLUTION, grossed more than $4 million, and ASSASSIN Margaret's fourth
tour, ASSASSIN, grossed more than $2.6 million. In a Lorene Machado (Director) BAM BAM AND CELESTE is her narrative directorial debut, starring Margaret Cho, Alan Cumming, Bruce Daniels and Jane Lynch, amongst others. Machado was the
director, producer and editor of REVOLUTION and NOTORIOUS C.H.O., Margaret
Cho's recent concert films. Machado also produced Cho's first concert
film, the award winning I'M THE ONE THAT I Lorene Machado began
her career with comedy legend Bob Hope, as the Coordinating Producer
on the final seasons of the Bob Hope Specials on NBC. She has extensive
experience as a writer and story producer in With BAM BAM AND CELESTE, Machado is bringing her knack for comedy and love of feature films to fruition. Salty Features (Producer) Salty Features
is an independent film production company founded in January 2003 by
producing partners Eva Kolodner and Yael Melamede. Salty's goal is to
make feature films that showcase unique vision, Salty Features' first production, Enid Zentelis' EVERGREEN, premiered in competition at Sundance in 2004 and was released theatrically through a unique partnership with AMC Theaters on 115 screens in the fall of 2004.
Kolodner got her
start in the independent film industry as a part of the original team
at Christine Vachon's renegade indie production company, Killer Films.
In her five years at Killer, Kolodner worked in production Yael Melamede (Producer) Since her career
shift from architecture to film in 1996, Melamede has worked in many
capacities within the New York independent film community. Melamede
was the Post Production Supervisor on Wayne Wang's John Chichester (Production Designer) John Chichester's
design experience travels from outer space to the barrios of East L.A.
and points between. His work as a set designer on the films MEN IN BLACK
II and SPIDERMAN II showcase his work in science Matthew Clark, Cinematographer Matthew Clark lives
in New York with his wife, Lisa and their two children, Ben and Sam.
He has just completed work on THE LAND (directed by David Wike and starring
Kevin Corrigan and Clea Duvall). His other credits include EVERGREEN
(directed by Enid Zentelis) (2004 Sundance - Dramatic Competition),
RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS (directed by Sarah Rogacki) (2003 Sundance - Dramatic
Competition) and the documentary BOOMTOWN (directed by Bryan Gunnar
Cole)(aired on PBS' P.O.V.). Matthew was George Acogny (Executive Music Producer) In the early eighties
George took a trip to Africa with Peter Gabriel, which helped carve
both their careers, and shaped what is now known as World Music. He
produced Youssou N'Dour's first international album THE George also has a passion for animation and music supervised, wrote and produced songs for the RUGRATS IN PARIS and THE WILD THORNBERRYS movies. It led to a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy Award nomination. George has also worked on very successful European projects such as ASTERIX, MISSION CLEOPATRA (the second biggest box office success in France to date) and is busy supervising a few movies this year, as well as writing, arranging and producing music for both movies and other mediums. |
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