cast/crew

cast	Cara Seymour Mary Kay Place Noah Fleiss Gary Farmer Lynn Cohen Bruce Davison Addie Land
and introducing
casting	Susan Shopmaker
costume designer	Lorna Leedy
original music	John Stirratt Pat Sansone (Wilco, Autumn Defense)
production designer	Katie Rielly
music supervisor	Sean Fogarty (Mendoza Line)
editor	Meg Reticker
director of photography	Matt Clark
co-producers	Rakesh Parashar Steve Kertes Kenan Block Joseph Healey
executive producers	Evan R. Bell Gary Sharfin Bill Pope Cheryl Pope Scott Rosenfelt
line producers	Cassy Soden Fran Dunaway
produced by	Norma Jean Straw Enid Zentelis Yael Melamede Eva Kolodner
written and directed by	Enid Zentelis

 

cast/crew biographies

Enid Zentelis (Director & Writer)
Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, EVERGREEN marks Enid Zentelis' (Director & Writer) feature film directorial debut. EVERGREEN recently opened in a 115 theaters nationwide and received critical acclaim when a first-of-its-kind deal was inked with AMC Theaters. This deal marked the first time a major exhibitor pacted directly with a filmmaker and was the first feature to be distributed solely via satellite.

EVERGREEN was selected to participate in the prestigious Sundance Institute Writer's Lab in 2000. In addition, EVERGREEN was selected for a Sundance-produced live reading as well as extensive production support from Kodak, Panavision and Deluxe. EVERGREEN also won Zentelis a 2002 NYFA Grant in screenwriting.

Zentelis' original screenplay, GRASPING THE SPARROW'S TAIL, is being produced by Bridget Johnson Films (AS GOOD AS IT GETS, BOTTLE ROCKET). Other screenplays in development include MAKE LOVE NOT WAR and FAUNA AND FLORA. In addition, Zentelis recently directed and produced a short film on President Clinton and THE CLINTON FOUNDATION for Radical Media, as well as directed videos for major record labels on ERIC CLAPTON, 3 DOORS DOWN and WILCO among others.

Zentelis received a BA from Hampshire College and an MFA from the NYU Graduate Film Program, where she was the W.T.C. Johnson full-scholarship recipient.

She is represented by United Talent Agency and BenderSpink Management.

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Norma Jean Straw (Producer)
Norma Jean Straw is founder of the Seattle based multi-media production company, Straw Stories, whose first feature film is EVERGREEN. In addition to producing EVERGREEN, Norma is currently at work on the animated TV series NOT BRAIN SURGERY. In addition, Norma has been a civic leader involved in numerous capacities in the improvement of civic and community life in the Pacific Northwest. She has advised a variety of public officials (including US Senator Patty Murray, Governor Gary Locke, and President Clinton) on youth, education policy, community development and civic engagement. Norma has a strong background in business. During her 3 years as Vice-President of the dynamic and cutting edge Seattle-based beauty business VAIN Corporation, Straw has increased revenue 400% with projected sales from 2003 approaching $1,000,000. Most recently, Straw has become involved with a number of local projects based in Seattle's vibrant art community.

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Yael Melamede (Producer)
Yael Melamede (Producer) made a career shift from architecture to film in 1996 and since then, has worked in many capacities within the New York independent film community. Melamede was the Post Production Supervisor on Wayne Wang's THE CENTER OF THE WORLD, Paul Schrader's FOREVER MINE, and Paul Auster's LULU ON THE BRIDGE, bringing her into close working relationships with extraordinary creative talent and with a wide range of production, distribution and foreign sales companies. At the end of 2000, Melamede joined Madstone Films as the company's Production Supervisor. In that capacity, Melamede worked on the development, budgeting and scheduling of Madstone's feature film projects. Melamede also co-produced the feature documentary MY ARCHITECT, directed by Nathaniel Kahn, about the prominent architect Louis I. Kahn. MY ARCHITECT, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary in 2003, was released by New Yorker Films in the fall of 2003. Melamede holds a B.A. and M.Arch. from Yale University.

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Eva Kolodner (Producer)
While working with Killer Films, Eva Kolodner produced the Academy Award-winning film BOYS DON'T CRY. During her five years with Killer, Kolodner also worked on such independent film classics as KIDS, I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, SAFE, KISS ME GUIDO, SAFE MEN and HAPPINESS. In 1998, Kolodner took on the role of Director of Development at Killer where she was instrumental in expanding the company's sphere of operations. In that role she developed relationships with some of the best writers and directors working in independent film. In 2000, Kolodner became Head of Production at Madstone Films, a unique digital production, distribution and exhibition company. Kolodner produced Madstone's first feature, RHINOCEROS EYES, directed by newcomer Aaron Woodley and starring Michael Pitt (HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, MURDER BY NUMBERS). RHINOCEROS EYES screened at the 2003 Toronto Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Discovery Award. In 2000, Kolodner was nominated for the Independent Spirit Producer's Award, and in 2002 was selected for Crain's New York Business' “40 Under 40.” Kolodner holds a B.A. from Yale University.

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Matthew Clark (Cinematographer)
Matthew Clark was trained in New York University's Graduate Film Program, and worked under Vilmos Zsigmond (CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, THE DEER HUNTER), Vadim Yusov, and Frank Prinzi. Matt has received various honors for his work, including a Warner Brothers Production Award and two Excellence in Cinematography Craft Awards. Recently, he received the 2000 ASC Heritage Commendation for Outstanding Cinematography from the American Society of Cinematographers. Matt has shot for directors from the US and abroad. His credits include LIPSTICK by Pascal Aubier, (Telluride Film Festival; Best Drama, 1999 New York International Short Film Festival), BUN-BUN by Katie Fleischer (2002 Hamptons International Film Festival; Best Short, 2003 GenArt Film Festival), and Bryan Gunnar Cole's BOOMTOWN, a documentary about the Fourth of July on the Suquamish Indian Reservation, which aired on PBS. His narrative features include THE OTHER BROTHER (Mandel Holland), RHYTHM OF THE SAINTS (Sarah Rogacki), an official selection of the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, THE QUALITY OF LIGHT (Keith Gaby), and COSMOPOLITAN (Nisha Ganatra). In addition to narrative, Matt continues to shoot music videos and commercials for clients including The Independent Film Channel, Coca-Cola, ESPN, and Universal Records.

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John Stirratt, Pat Sansone (Composers)
A founder of, and bassist for, the hit indie band WILCO, Stirratt began playing music in the mid-80s. Prior to starting WILCO, he recorded the album Anodyne with Uncle Tupelo. He has toured and recorded steadily with WILCO since 1996. In 1998 he connected with multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, and they started the band Autumn Defense. Sansone now tours with WILCO playing guitar and keyboards. They are both on tour supporting WILCO's widely acclaimed A Ghost Is Born (Nonesuch). Stirratt also finished a country-folk album that he's made with his twin sister, Laurie, which will be released in late September of 2004.

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Mendoza Line (Music)
Formed by childhood friends with a shared passion for the lyrics of Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello and the excitement and melody of the Replacements and the Clash, the Mendoza Line released their first record in 1996. Relocating to Brooklyn from Athens, GA in 2001, the Mendoza Line recorded Lost In Revelry to great critical acclaim. The Village Voice called it “the most likeable record of the year.” The album landed on year-end best-of lists in Europe and the US. The band's fifth full-length album, Fortune, will be released by Bar/None Records in August of 2004. The band will tour the US beginning in September.

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Meg Reticker (Editor)
Meg Reticker has worked as an editor for the last ten years editing narrative and documentary films. Her diverse body of work includes the films HEAVY directed by James Mangold, THE BIG ONE directed by Michael Moore, ARRESTING GENA directed by Hannah Weyer, and FISH AND THE BATHTUB directed by Joan Micklin Silver. Meg also edited David Wain's WET, HOT, AMERICAN SUMMER, and Ilya Chaiken's MARGARITA HAPPY HOUR, both of which premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. In 2003, Meg edited A DECADE UNDER THE INFLUENCE directed by Richard LaGravenese and Ted Demme, which premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival and will receive an award for film history by the National Board of Review. Meg has also edited Michael Moore's TV comedy series THE AWFUL TRUTH, and in 1999, a five-hour program for Nickelodeon called NICKELLENIUM which featured kids around the world discussing their future. Meg is currently editing WINTER'S PASSING directed by Adam Rapp.

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Katie Rielly (Production Designer)
Katie Rielly is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in French. She studied fine art photography in Seattle where she has resided for the last nine years. She is a commercial set dresser, and has worked in the art department on the feature films INHERITANCE and A RELATIVE THING. Katie has also worked on many shorts including Bogdan Darev's award-winning THE ANGEL.

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Cara Seymour (Kate)
British born Cara Seymour was featured in two of the most eagerly awaited films of 2002, Spike Jonze's ADAPTATION and Martin Scorsese's GANGS OF NEW YORK. Having established herself on stage in both England and the United States, Seymour made her film debut in Nora Ephron's YOU'VE GOT MAIL and subsequently starred in the 1999 independent drama A GOOD BABY. Seymour has also appeared in Lars von Trier's highly acclaimed DANCER IN THE DARK and Mary Harron's AMERICAN PSYCHO.

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Mary Kay Place (Susan Turly)
Mary Kay Place, Emmy winner for the role of Loretta on iconic 70s sitcom MARY HARTMAN, MARY HARTMAN, is probably best known to movie audiences as former 60s hippie turned mom-to-be Meg in Lawrence Kasdan's THE BIG CHILL. She has appeared in numerous notable films over the past 20 years, most recently in James Mangold's GIRL, INTERRUPTED, Alexander Paine's CITIZEN RUTH, Spike Jonze's BEING JOHN MALKOVICH and the Reese Witherspoon-starring hit SWEET HOME ALABAMA.

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Noah Fleiss (Chat Turly)
Noah Fleiss boasts an extraordinary resume for a young actor, beginning with his first movie JOSH AND SAM in 1993. He won a Hollywood Reporter Young Star Award for his portrayal of TJ in A MOTHER'S PRAYER in 1995 and was critically acclaimed for his role as Joe Henry in Frank Whaley's film JOE THE KING, starring Val Kilmer and Ethan Hawke among others. Since then, he has appeared in numerous TV and feature films, most recently Moises Kaufman's THE LARAMIE PROJECT and Todd Solondz's STORYTELLING.

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Gary Farmer (Jim)
Native-American actor Gary Farmer co-starred with Johnny Depp in Jim Jarmusch's DEAD MAN. Farmer was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award for his portrayal of Arnold Joseph in Chris Eyre's Sundance Audience Award winning SMOKE SIGNALS, and he also appeared in Eyre's follow-up feature, SKINS. He has appeared in numerous films including ADAPTATION and THE SCORE. Farmer co-starred as affable Indian activist Philbert in Jonathan Wacks' POWWOW HIGHWAY.

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Lynn Cohen (Grandmom)
Lynn Cohen has achieved a distinguished career on stage and screen. Among her wide-ranging theater credits are the Lincoln Center production of Ivanov with Kevin Kline, Eric Bogosian's Grillers, Howard Korder's Geliebteh, Donald Margulies' Model Apartment, and Jonathan Marc Sherman's Veins and Thumbtacks. Cohen's feature credits include Tim Robbins' CRADLE WILL ROCK, Louis Malle's VANYA ON 42ND STREET and Woody Allen's MANHATTAN MURDER MYSTERY.

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Addie Land (Henri)
Addie Land has lived all of her life in Seattle, Washington, where she is currently a sophomore at Nova High School. Addie has trained with the nationally renowned Seattle's Children Theater, where she has often appeared in summer stage productions. Addie's role in EVERGREEN is her feature film debut. Director Enid Zentelis chose Addie for the role after a series of open auditions in Seattle.

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Bruce Davison (Frank Turly)
Bruce Davison was nominated for an Oscar in 1991 for his sensitive portrayal of a man caring for his dying, HIV-infected lover in LONGTIME COMPANION. His vibrant 30-year career started off with the cult fame he achieved in the title role of the 1971 film WILLARD, in which he played a disturbed outcast who marshaled an army of rats against his enemies. Davison has recently appeared as the anti-mutant Senator Robert Kelly in the science-fiction blockbuster X-MEN and its sequel, X2.

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