D. LEE INOSANTO, aka Diana Lee Inosanto, Starring LOUIS MANDYLOR, MIKE O’LASKEY, D. LEE INOSANTO, TZI MA, KEITH DAVID, SAB SHIMONO, EMILY KURODA, MARK MCGRAW, GINA SCALZI, Other Cast:TIM LOUNIBOS, BRYAN FRANK, MICHAEL HAKE, GERMAINE DELEON, JONATHAN CAMP, MICHAEL AUTERI, SPICE WILLIAMS, MICHAEL YAMA, ERIK BETTS, Director of Photography, Mark Rutledge, Edited by Reine Claire, Music Composer Deane Ogden, Other Music by SANCTION, Melissa Lewis, Produced by RON BALICKI, DIANA LEE INOSANTO, TARIK HEITMANN, Co-Produced by Sal Baldomar, Mark Grove, Brad Thornton, Associate Produced by Erin Quill, Chil Kong, Cool Breeze Ballard
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RED CARPET WORLD PREMIERE With THE SENSEI
Celebrity Interviews: Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls), Bob Wall (Enter the Dragon), Evan Karagias (WCW Champion), Veteran Actor Bill McKinney (Green Mile, Deliverance) and Cast with Louis Mandylor, Tim Lounibos, Mike Olaskey, and writer-director-actress, D. Lee Inosanto
THE SENSEI is about a lonely gay teen named McClain growing up in
a small town in Colorado during the dawn of the AIDS epidemic.
Constantly the target of hate and bullying, after a near fatal
beating by three school mates, he finds himself the secret student
of a woman "sensei" named Karen who teaches him the martial ways to
protect himself and the path to inner peace. But there are some
lessons in life that don't come easy.
(THE SENSEI is endorsed by civil
rights groups like the Matthew Shepard Foundation, Human Rights
Campaign (Dallas), and the Hate Crimes Bill Act- lead by Senators
Ted Kennedy and Gordon Smith.)
CAST:
Louis Mandylor (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding, THE QUEST”)
Keith David (“CRASH, There's Something About Mary”)
D. Lee Inosanto (“THE PRODIGY”)
Mike Olaskey (“3 Ninjas, High Noon at Mega Mountain”)
Tzi Ma (“RUSH HOUR, Alpha dog”)
Sab Shimono (“Southland Tales, Waterworld”)
Emily Kuroda (“Gilmore Girls”)
and introducing...
MARK MCGRAW
ADDITIONAL CAST:
Gina Scalzi, Tim Lounibos, Bryan Frank, Michael
Hake, Germaine Deleon, Michael Auteri, Michael Yama, Spice Williams, Erik Bettz,
Cesar Lomeli, and Jonathan Camp.
DIRECTORS COMMENTS:
My movie mirrors the political and social struggles still happening today. With the recent murder of Lawrence King who ironically lived in my area (http://www.rememberinglawrence.org/) I am glad that I took the path to make this film despite the hardships and politics my producers and myself endured. I was motivated to make my film years ago after the senseless murder of Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming 1998. Lawrence King's case only bears in mind the need to create more awareness about tolerance and diversity.
Presently, THE SENSEI is endorsed by civil rights groups like the Matthew Shepard Foundation and the Hate Crimes Bill Act (www.hatecrimesbill.org), which was lead by Senator Ted Kennedy and Senator Gordon Smith. We’ve also have the support of those involved with Human Rights Campaign, Simon Wiesenthal Center: Museum of Tolerance, and Rainbow Alley to name a few.
However, as a Writer/Director/ Producer, the road to making THE SENSEI was not easy. THE SENSEI made international headline news in 2005 when the Associated Press got wind of our struggles. Two ultra conservative school districts (one of them that governed Columbine High School) would not allow us to film due to "questionable values" as one administrator stated.
As a Writer/Director/ Producer, the road to making THE SENSEI was not easy. THE SENSEI made international headline news in 2005 when the Associated Press got wind of our struggles. Two ultra conservative school districts (one of them that governed Columbine) would not allow us to film due to "questionable values" as one administrator stated. As I have always stated in the press, THE SENSEI is a movie about respect, tolerance and personal growth. Pretty good values to me!
Wow, & Wow Dianna, All I Can Say is that I am Truly Blessed in being a part of a Awesome Movie! That protrays such a awesome message! God Bless & LOL Your Referee Stephen Blea
FYI: I was listening to NPR, and Pat Morrison, and they were talking about lack of starring roles for women in movies today, and how it's partially due to not a lot of women behind the scenes and skeptical studios.
I called in and mentioned the "The Sensei" on the air. Might want to check out the podcast.
The Good Samaritan is one of my favorite parables. When the Good Samaritan helps the man that was robbed you have no idea what's his ethnicity, religion, social status, or his sexual orientation. None of that matter to the Samaritan. Only thing that matter was that he saw a person that needed help.
A very modern movie dealing with real issues.
Toward the end of the movie I got something in my eyes.
You must be very proud to have your name on this movie.
WOW! Diana! Congrats on a fantastic film and your standing ovation at the sold-out showing today at the Director's Guild!! I was very moved by it and it's such an important story. Brava!!!
I like the trailer a lot. I love the idea of this film. Turning the tables and having a woman be the teacher is marvelous. It was something I had even thought about myself when I considered developing a martial arts script. What formats are you shooting on? Budget? Any details would be great. And if there is anything I can do to help please contact me.
I will be there on the 4th! Little Brother talked me into coming, so I'm there! Hope to see you and chat but I think you will be VERY BUSY! :) (I know, being busy at this event is a good thing!)
