An independent film by a Westporter, starring a Westporter, and partially filmed in Westport premieres Wednesday, Dec. 28 in Bridgeport.
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Jason Byrd: Westport photographer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo
“Desolation Angeles/Rise of the BOAS” stars Neal Smith, a Westport resident and the founding drummer in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Alice Cooper. (See trailer here.)
Jayson Byrd, a Westport-based photographer, financed the two-hour black-and-white production and wrote the original screenplay.
It took him three years to complete the film, shooting at more than 30 Connecticut localities, including Westport, according to a news release.
With more than 40 Connecticut actors, it will debut at Bridgeport’s Bijou Theatre, 275 Fairfield Ave. There is no charge for admission. But a $10 donation is welcomed. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is 7:30 p.m. Snow date is Jan. 4
Smith wrote the title song for the film and plays a ruthless Russian mob boss in a full-length black-and-white production based on morality issues rooted in classical Greek mythology, the news release said.
A group of mercenaries is hired by a covert government agency to disrupt the relationship between the Russians and Mexican drug cartels. The plot raises the question: Are we are able to change our fate or is life predestined?
Byrd has worked as a photographer for the Westport Country Playhouse and Music Theater of Connecticut, Shakespeare on the Sound in Rowayton, American Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford, Darien Dinner Theater, Stamford Playhouse and Polka Dot Playhouse in Bridgeport.
He was among the original exhibitors at the Westport Arts Center.
Born in New York City, he spent his formative years traveling through Europe and developed a Continental visual sense of style, also influenced by the portrait and fashion work of David Bailey, Francesco Scavullo and Irving Penn.
