Upcoming Films For Rough Diamond Productions and With 7-Arts Pictures:

Catwalk *
The Blind Bastards Club
Riley Parks
Neuromancer *
Romeo Spy *
Cindy In Iraq *
Threshold
Down Dog
Men Don't Lie *
Wavelength
Lola Montez
Contingency
Trust List
Summerhill
Of Flesh and Souls
Senior Will

* with 7-Arts Pictures

CATWALK

Producer: Julia Verdin & Jay Firestone

Co-producer: Ildiko Kerney

Executive Producer: Kate Hoffman

Director: Anthony Hickox

Line Producer: Andrew Warren

Screenplay by: Anthony Hickox and Pete Atkins
Start date: January 2010
Location: Budapest, Hungry, Toronto-Canada

Synopsis:

Someone is killing the beautiful people.

            Four supermodels have been slaughtered and mutilated in the last few weeks. Meanwhile, in the wild world of Manhattan's fashion jungle, a new face is getting everyone's attention.....

            BASIA, a young beauty with a mysterious past, has caught the eye of both the establishment and the underground. JAKE, a hip young mix-DJ whose star is on the rise is falling in love with her. DANNY, the hottest fashion photographer in New York, wants her too - for complicated reasons. DESIREE, boho-punk documentarian, feels Basia is a vital element of her new verité movie. And HAMISH, an all-burnt-out homicide Cop, has some questions for her...

            While the killings continue and while the city lives in fear, Basia is drawn into the whirlwind of neo-stardom and begins to lose sight of who she really is. Jake warns her against the people, the scene-makers, who are Jake's friends. Basia, thinking he's a hypocrite, allows herself to fall under Danny's charismatic spell, agreeing to a photo session that will make her. Or break her.

            All along, in teasing, taunting flashes, Basia's repressed memories have been surfacing - tortured, confused memories of orphanhood and abuse... a pattern of abuse that has both buried her memories and awoken an ancient genetic pattern, dormant for generations. Basia's bloodline is very old.

            Now trapped in his apartment studio, Basia discovers to her horror that Danny is the serial killer. And she is to be his next victim...

            Yet, when Desiree breaks into the studio moments later, it is Danny who is dead. Ripped to pieces as if by some rampaging beast. And Basia is nowhere to be seen...

            And finally the secret self within Basia is free - a human/ animal hybrid of feline grace, awesome power, terrifying beauty, and a primal urge to kill. Rampaging through New York, killing innocents and evading the police, she ends up in the sewers, surrounded and protected by the giant cats that have escaped the zoo to join their new Empress.

            Braving both armed police units and the tension and terrors of the underground lair, Jake finds Basia and sees her transform into the frightened and confused young girl she really is.

            Jake takes her home. Only the two of them know the secret. In a night of tension and sacrifice, the young lovers try to beat the curse, to keep Basia's bestial nature from resurfacing.

            But everybody's still hungry. The demi-monde wants its fashion show, and Desiree wants an ending for her movie. Blackmailing Basia into leaving the safety of Jake's apartment, she brings her back to the public and the paparazzi for her catwalk debut...

            ...where Basia makes her final transformation before the stunned eyes of the fashionistas and the greedily snapping cameras of the press.

            Killing her way out of the show, the creature is back on the streets of New York. Hamish who has been convinced against his skeptical will of the truth of the old legends, has a bullet waiting for her...

            But Hamish fails. The SWAT teams fail.

            Somewhere within the Beast, the Beauty is screaming...

            Only Jake can help her now. Only love can pull the trigger...

THE BLIND BASTARDS CLUB

Producers: Julia Verdin / Ash Baron-Cohen

Director: Ash Baron-Cohen

A visceral black comedy wrapped in an original love story. The BBC or, Blind Bastards Club, is a gang of guys and girls who live life on the edge despite their blindness, going to the shooting range, jumping ourt of planes, getting into fights in bars and pretending they're not blind. We focus on Jake, the leader of the BBC, and Angel, a sighted call girl who rollerblades around the city. They meet by accident and he introduces her to his world as they both look to make the ultimate sacrifice for love.

Summary:

Angel is a young, dynamic, beautiful girl born on the streets and forced into prostitution in order to survive, who is a paradox: on the one hand she doesn't believe in love having always been considered an affordable piece of   eye candy and on the other like every girl she dreams to one day marry and have kids. She is also dealing with the deteriorating affects of diabetes. Angel and Jake meet one day by coincidence, when she thinks he is one of her paying customers as she goes to the wrong apartment by accident. She becomes curious about his blindness and there is an obvious connection between them straight away. Angel tells Jake she is a masseuse and lies to him about being a virgin.   Jake is a member of the Blind Bastards Club and is seen by the other members of the BBC club as the main leader.   Jake was born blind and is able to laugh at himself in front of the others at his disability, whilst not letting anyone stop him from trying anything just because he is blind, but behind closed doors when no one else is around he is a vulnerable and lonely man who secretly wonders what it would be like to see.

Jake invites Angel into the world of the BBC, experiencing the hilarious adventures they go on: going to shooting ranges, getting drunk in bars and jumping out of planes, witnessing the confusion that ensues when regular people don't realize they are blind. The BBC are constantly taking the piss out of themselves for being miserable and blind but somehow seem to be having more fun then the sighted people around them.

Angel and Jake develop a very intense relationship, even though other members of the BBC are wary of Jake dating a girl who has sight. Angel wakes one morning at Jake's apartment, vomiting. She thinks she may be pregnant, which is of huge excitement to Jake. Angel discovers that she is not pregnant but her diabetes has got drastically worse and that her body is deteriorating quickly. Ignoring the doctor's advice to be admitted to hospital she leaves the emergency room. She does not tell Jake, but is adamant on giving something to Jake. She discovers there is a new surgery that could give Jake sight. The surgery costs $90,000 and Angel goes behind Jakes back and returns to her thieving past. She steals a famous painting and car in order to pay for the surgery. The story is a highly comic yet fiercely romantic story, which follows two people's very different perspectives on life, how their loneliness and uniqueness brings them together to create an unbreakable bond.

Director Ash Baron-Cohen

London-born Ash Baron Cohen is a writer/director who attended Sussex University in England, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Experimental Psychology. After making a short film in collaboration with Channel 4, he was invited to attend the Art Center in Pasadena, CA. After leaving the Art Center, Ash wrote and directed the independent feature "BANG" (Top Ten Movies of the Year - 1997, LA TIMES and ROGER EBERT), a movie about a minority female that assumes the identity of a police officer for one day on the streets of Los Angeles.

After watching Bang, director Oliver Stone wrote a letter to the US immigration department on Ash's behalf hailing him "as a young British filmmaker who has undoubtedly flourished to become one of the most gifted directors of his generation."

Subsequent to this, Ash wrote, directed, and produced his second feature "PUPS" (Starring Mischa Barton and Burt Reynolds - fresh from his Golden Globe winning and Oscar nominated performance in "Boogie Nights"), a feature focusing on the relationship between kids and guns in America. "PUPS" was released theatrically to strong reviews ("A startling film of impulse, rage and humanism, a perceptive powder keg" - VARIETY 2000, "Hyperreal   performances -no pundit since has answered the questions it raises." Village Voice, "PUPS is a headlong rush!...two of the most natural and freed performances I've seen by actors of any age." Roger Ebert) in February 2001 and was bought by HBO.

In October 2003, Ash wrote, directed, and produced "This Girl's Life" with James Woods, Juliette Marquis, Rosario Dawson, Kip Pardue, Ioan Gruffudd, and Isaiah Washington for Chris Hanley and Muse Productions (American Psycho, The Virgin Suicides, Buffalo 66, Spun).   "This Girl's Life" completed its theatrical run in 2004 and was acquired by Showtime where it played to over 20 million viewers.   Juliette Marquis was awarded the Best Actress award at the Milan International film festival and the CineVegas Film Festival for her debut performance in the film.   

He also recently completed a feature length documentary, "Little Warriors" co-produced by Allyson Tang, which captures the everyday lives of six eleven year old kids born with HIV/AIDS in America.  ("A tough, inspiring, lyrical look at the everyday lives of a largely forgotten group of children.  The director's unsentimental empathy comes through in every frame." - New York Press)   The Discovery Channel acquired Little Warriors and premiered it on World AIDS Day.

He is currently casting his new feature "The RadioActive," a 15 million dollar action movie set in the gangster world of contemporary LA but told from a female perspective.  It is being produced by John Baldecci (88 Minutes/The Mexican) and Michele Berk (Red Mansions/Bandits).    

Ash is also casting Novella a thriller with Lenny Kravitz attached to play the lead in his first motion picture. The film is being produced by the Yari Film Group. "Eye Candy" aka "The Blind Bastards' Club", is a film about a congenitally blind man who lives life fearlessly and passionately with his group of fellow blind friends - a film incidentally which will include real blind people acting in supporting roles.   It is being described as a "Trainspotting" for the blind. Rosario Dawson (Sin City, 25th Hour) is attached to play the female lead.

Ash completed his second commercial for Bebe clothing after negotiating Mischa Barton to be their spokesperson. He also negociated the deal for Rebecca Romjin to be Bebe's spokesperson in 2007.

RILEY PARKS

Producers: Julia Verdin, Jeffrey Obrow

Director: Jeffrey Obrow

Writers: Jeffrey Obrow and Lars Hauglie

Synopsis:

At the tender age of thirteen, RILEY PARKS already has a keen eye for detail. Having recently lost his father, Riley spends a lot of time with his GRANDFATHER, who trains him to use deductive reasoning in order to solve mysteries. Riley is articulate beyond his years, and can talk his way out of anything. Grandfather tells him that he is working on a mystery to solve all on his own, but Riley's intuition tells him that something's not right. The next morning he is devastated to find that his Grandfather had died.

At the funeral EDGAR DOCKWEILLER, Grandfather's trusted associate, privately gives Riley a beautiful antique magnifying glass, one of Grandfather's favorites. From that point Riley receives messages through extremely unusual yet amazingly fun ways. Finally it is revealed to him that he is about to embark on a great adventure set up by Grandfather himself.

The adventure kicks into high gear with a series of clues. One by one, Riley must figure out what Grandfather had intended. He enlists the help of his best friend, PAUL and CAMILLE, the new girl he meets on the journey.

The three begin to solve each clue swiftly. Along the way they stumble upon the world's coolest clubhouse, designed by Grandfather. It's equipped with a basketball court, skate ramps, video games, and a stocked fridge. Every kid's fantasy! Paul thinks they have solved the case, but Riley doesn't believe it.

He figures out that the mystery must still be alive. Camille uses her cunning wit and Riley his savvy know-how to run down each new clue. Riley's feelings for Camille is another new discovery for him. Meanwhile, they are all being watched by a shady, unmarked van...

At a certain point they are stumped for answers. Riley ponders a clue alone in the clubhouse when suddenly a hired THUG tries to kidnap him. As Riley tries to hide, he bumps into another man...his Grandfather! Riley is in disbelief as he watches Grandfather defend him, but the thug captures Grandfather instead. Riley tries to convince his family and police that his grandfather is still alive but no one believes him. Except for Camille.

They soon come to find that Grandfather faked his own death. He knew someone was after him because of the powerful speech he was to make before the environmentally progressive IDEA conference. Riley realizes time is of the essence. He needs to find his grandfather for real. No detective exercises or made-up games. This is for real!

Riley races to Grandfather's estate where an intricate, hi-tech clue is playing out on a dozen video monitors in real time. Grandfather's most trusted friends are all talking to each other from every major country. This is a committee Grandfather put together to take on the villainous polluters of the world that will stop at nothing to make hundreds of billions of dollars from their greedy ways. Riley gathers all of his trusted friends to find and save his Grandfather from impending doom. Rock, the school bully, teams up with his equally buff sister to provide the strength while Geo, the class nerd, uses his technological know-how. The missing link is found in Hot Stuff's killer baseball pitch. The group is rounded out with Claude, the French taxi driver, and Milo, Mick and Matt, the heartthrob singing sensations. They use their strength in numbers to outsmart the group of not so- smart GOONS.

The only question is will Riley, Camille, Paul and the rest of their fantastic team find Grandfather in time...and save the world?

Marketability:

Riley Parks is only thirteen years old, yet he is quite possibly the world's greatest detective. This gripping tale is full of rich characters that kids all around the world will relate to and love. RILEY PARKS is a breath of fresh air as he and his team rely on deductive reasoning and intelligence as they navigate their way through this heartfelt comedy caper.

The mystery begins innocently enough with Riley's grandfather teaching him the fine art of detecting. But before he knows it, Riley's life is turned upside down. Riley boldly recruits an amazing group of kids, all with their own unique strengths. There's Paul's charm, Camille's brilliance and beauty, Rock's brute strength, Geo's technological know-how, and Hot Stuff's killer baseball pitch. They fight greedy villains who pollute the world in the name of profits. Here a new spin is placed on the Green Theme, touching on environmental issues that kids of all ages have come to appreciate and support. This tale, in addition to being wildly entertaining, also calls for action, giving kids the power to truly change the world.

Live action movies for children have never been more popular. HARRY POTTER has earned billions in worldwide revenues to date, as well as the great success of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL with its popular ensemble cast of teenagers. The impressive commercial success of HANNAH MONTANA is also opening the floodgates on this tween generation, earning $56.1 million dollars at the box office in the opening weekend alone. The ever-popular Jonas Brothers would be a smash hit as the musical brothers Milo, Mick and Matt who help Riley save the day!

Feel-good, live action children's movies have been steadily making a comeback. RILEY PARKS, with its comedy, coming-of-age themes, and intricate mystery set against a hip environmentally conscious backdrop, is just right for the current climate.

This adventure is designed so that parents will find it engaging right along with their kids. Reminiscent of THE GOONIES and NATIONAL TREASURE this film is fun for the whole family. Kids will be filled with wonder as they watch Riley and his friends solve The Case of the Magnificent Magnifying Glass! This action-packed roller-coaster ride challenges the senses, and is surely one that Sherlock Holmes himself would be proud of!

Director Jeffrey Obrow

Jeffrey Obrow received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees from UCLA's Motion Picture/Television Department.

He has since written, directed and produced a number of feature films, including Bram Stoker's THE MUMMY, THE KINDRED and Dean R. Koontz's THE SERVANTS OF TWILIGHT, which VARIETY described as "breathless suspense." Jeffrey's films have starred Academy Award winners such as Rod Steiger and Lou Gossett, Jr. His most recent feature film, THEY ARE AMONG US, premiered on the Sci-Fi channel. Jeffrey's successes led to USC's School of Cinematic Arts asking him to be a professor of both a directing class and a music video course. Jeffrey is currently planning to shoot his latest suspense thriller 7Seconds and the next film he is committed to see made is his true passion project, RILEY PARKS. This project brings together his love of mystery, clues, and suspense in a fantastically fun adventure film made for the whole family.

NEUROMANCER

Based on the best-selling novel by William Gibson

Director: Joseph Kahn

Producers: Julia Verdin & Jay Firestone

Screenplay by: William Gibson

click here for website

Synopsis:

Case used to be a professional hacker. Then someone hacked him.

In the future, where life is cheap and nothing is worth more than information, he's a living time bomb who will only be set free if he completes a deadly mission. With genetically upgraded femme fatale Molly, Case hustles his way through the real world and cyberspace.

The ultimate battle between mind and body leads them against the corporations that govern what's left of humanity, where the final conspiracy is about to be uncovered.

Based on the landmark cyberpunk novel from William Gibson, Case finds it's not just the explosives in his body he has to worry about.

He's trapped in a maze of murder, deceit, and the fate of the world.

ROMEO SPY

Producers: Alexander de Cadenet, Julia Verdin & Jay Firestone

Director: Bronwen Hughes

Screenplay by: Bronwen Hughes

Synopsis:

Based on a true story in the 1970s, when the Cold War was at its most intense.

            Framed by his bosses, policeman JOHN SYMONDS goes on the run - and vows revenge on the system that betrayed him. A chance encounter leads to the promise of a new life (and a chance for payback), by working for the KGB.

            John's biggest weapon? His charm. It will be his task to befriend and seduce the wives and daughters of diplomats and CIA chiefs. But when John falls in love, he must take desperate action to escape both his old enemies, and his new friends.

CINDY IN IRAQ

Executive Producer: Susan Hoffman

Producer: Julia Verdin

Co-Producers: Margaret Riley and Jason Blum

Director: Eva Gardos

Screenplay by: Eva Gardos

click to view website

Synopsis:

            "Cindy In Iraq" is the story of Cindy Morgan, a single mother, struggling with men and struggling to support her kids. When she loses her job and can no longer support her kids, she takes a job as a civilian truck driver in Iraq.

            The government contractor, G.U.T. operates directly in the war zone, and sends them into the war zone with no weapons or training. Cindy, as the only female driver, is singled out and prejudiced against, especially by her convoy leader, Sean, an ex-Vietnam veteran, and a real hard-ass.

            In order to keep in touch with her kids, Cindy begins sending e-mails back and forth. These get forwarded around, and eventually she is a landline of information for people across the United States. Cindy then decides to start a website called "Cindy In Iraq," which provides a behind-the-scenes perspective of the war, telling the public the real truths behind what exactly is going on in Iraq.

            When their Assistant Convoy Commander returns home, Cindy volunteers for the open position, and proves herself more than capable of handling it. Her new closeness to Sean, and the trust forming between them sparks on a passionate night, making love as the world goes to hell around them.

            The prejudice has not ended against Cindy, however. On Christmas night, as she lies in her bed, longing for her children, an American soldier knife enters her room andrapes her at knife point.   Holding herself together and telling no one, Cindy accepts her new job as Convoy Commander and starts winning the respect of the men under her command, as she saves their lives on her first mission.

            Still shaken up by the events of Christmas night, scared to tell anyone, Cindy becomes cold and calloused. It is only when Sean returns from a mission gone terribly wrong that they are able to reconnect and Cindy is able to tell someone about her ordeal. Sean convinces her to stand up for herself and report it the head of the company. He tells her to "forget about it" and "have a little sense of fun."  The last things this company wants to do is to put their multimillion dollar in jeopardy. Not only does she warn the other women to protect themselves, but she posts details of it on her website to spread the word.

            In retaliation, Cindy gets her next assignment: a near-suicide mission to deliver food, supplies, and ammunition to soldiers fighting in Basra, Iraq's largest oil fields. The mission is full of peril, and the convoy is ambushed. In a last ditch effort, Cindy orders the caravan into a circle, and the truckers try to endure a hail of gunfire and explosions.

            Meanwhile, back at camp, the G.U.T. officials are trying to shut down Cindy's website and get rid of her. After successfully delivering much needed supplies to the stranded US Soldiers and saving the life of one of them she returns to camp and is fired by her company.

This script is based on the true story of Cynthia Morgan. Her book "Cindy in Iraq" was published by Free Press. Her stories are on her website:

www.CindyinIraq.com

THRESHOLD

Producers: Julia Verdin, Bill Kravitz, Matt Dean

Director: Julia Verdin

Writers: Matt Dean, Shawn Know and Ralph Howard

Logline:

SHE SHOULD NEVER HAVE LET HIM IN...

We all think of our homes as places of security and safety. What if a lodger turned your life upside down and slowly started trying to control you? How Unsafe would you feel?  How violated and scared would you be?  What could be more terrifying than Mr. Perfect nice helpful tenant turning into the roommate from hell?

After the death of her parents, Carrie is left with the debt from her father's secret life. Struggling to survive as a young fashion designer, Carrie is forced to make money by renting out the rooms of her parent's former home. Unaware of the pending danger, she rents to an attractive young man who will turn Carrie's misfortune into a struggle for life and death.

DOWN DOG

Producers: Julia Verdin, Jared Harris

Director: Ash Baron-Cohen

Writer: Jamie Harris

Summary:

A comedy about spirituality vs. pseudo-spirituality... In this millennium of the New Age, a target which has been underexposed but rife for a good ribbing is that of the spiritual movement with all its integrity and devout followers. Here in DD our two lead actors take polar opposite routes in their comedic paths for spiritual truth and enlightenment:

On the one hand we have our yoga master who uses his mantle of respect to wriggle into girls' leotards and attempt downward doggy style positions in the bedroom while being engaged to his oblivious fiancee; on the other extreme his best friend is an out of work, alcoholic actor who thinks that the spiritual movement might be something related to the bowels and the bathroom. He is shortlisted however for a new TV series about AA and paradoxically joins the group to do undercover research only in the process to hilariously discover his own spiritual awakening.

MEN DON'T LIE

Producers: Julia Verdin, Wendy Thomas, Gia Muresan, Kornel Sipos

Director: Jane Spencer

Screenplay by: Jane Spencer and Lucy Shuttleworth

Cast: Michael Madsen, Jean-Hughes Anglade, Karine Vanasse, Margo Stilley, Leo Gregory

Synopsis:

"Men Don't Lie" is a story of tangled love triangles and the search for identity which clashes the gritty seaports of Nice against the grand halls and hotels of Paris and the Cote d'Azur. A fresh take on misguided love amidst the hypocrisies of bohemians and socialites alike, the story juxtaposes the allure of glamour and struggling 'artists'...

Our heroine, Zena, a once-brilliant student of physics and closet trust-fund baby, running away from a family tragedy is looking for hope, in what she deems a 'dark world.' She finds it in Bob, an American expatriate, self-proclaimed 'artist' and humanitarian. Bob does not see himself as the dishwasher he really is... He cannot afford to. Zena's infatuation for Bob is firmly rooted in the belief that Bob's objectives and morals are purely noble. Bob's greatest ambition is to re-create the classic French film 'Les Enfants du Paradis' with his rag-tag team of street people by the harbour. His lead performer Jean is a child African refugee whose leg was blown off by a mine... The noble struggle of Jean becomes the through-line of the story as the other characters seek to save him - or are they trying to save themselves?

Out of her depth, at a party at a villa on the Cap d'Antibes, Zena plans to pull in favours and raise enough cash for Jean's new leg, to impress Bob. She comes face to face with the titled Jonny, a disillusioned, once-hopeful pianist who has turned to a life of debauchery. Encouraged by Zena's optimism and what he thinks is her quest to save Jean's leg, Jonny begins his own journey for the attentions of Zena, gradually restoring his idealism. Ironically Zena, still pining for Bob's lost and unrealistic world, is unaware that Jonny is the very thing that she mistakenly believes Bob to be: a man with a heart.

Zena navigates her past and future and leads Bob and Jonny through a cat and mouse game to save Jean's leg, pitted against the not so transparent wills of the Aristocrats who have a whole agenda of their own...

WAVELENGTH

Producers: Piers Tempest, Julia Verdin

Co-Producer: Bill Kravitz

Director: Dennis Dugan

Writers: Paul Alexander & Simon Braithwaite.

Logline:

LOLA MONTEZ

Producers: Julia Verdin and David Bixler

Writers: David Corley & David Bixler

Logline:

This is a wonderful true story based on the life of 19th century courtesan Lola Montez, a woman before her time who was an adventuress, who thought out her life and freely blended fact with fiction, reinventing herself several times in her lifetime.

She won the hearts of many influential men. Her influence over King Ludwig of Bavaria through her political views precipitated a revolution there that spread throughout Europe.  

The people were divided; some loved her while some branded her a witch, and she was eventually driven out of the country.

CONTINGENCY

Producer: Julia Verdin, John Fogel

Writer: Allan Loeb

Logline:

TRUST LIST

Producer: Julia Verdin, John Fogel

Writer: Allan Loeb

Logline:

SUMMERHILL

Producers: Morris Levy, Julia Verdin

Co-Producers: Julian Hoxter and William Tyler Smith

Director: Gillies MacKinnon

Writer: Julian Hoxter and William Tyler Smith

Logline:

OF FLESH AND SOULS

Producers: Bill Kravitz, Julia Verdin

Writer: Brian and Scott Boyd

Logline:

SENIOR WILL

Producers: Bill Kravitz. Julia Verdin

Director: Nick Mastandrea

Writers: Brian Boyd, Leon Kaye

Genre: Horror

Logline:

Did you have a Senior Will in high school?

SENIOR WILL is the story of the senior class at Redwood High that is days away from graduating, who one by one start dying mysteriously in a matter of hours. When Cassie Corwin starts witnessing her friends' deaths, she takes it upon herself to figure the mystery out, and soon discovers that the mystery of the murders may lie in their Senior Wills, a booklet containing memories that each senior wills to each other before graduating as a way of saying goodbye.

She only has hours to figure out which senior's will is responsible for the murders and what the clues in the will mean. She soon realizes the truth lies in a deadly secret that all those named in the will have been hiding for years...

ALL CREDITS ARE NON CONTRACTUAL