Calliope Pictures, an independent film production company featuring the films of Bruce Gorman, Jr.
A homeless man reflects upon his life when he is unexpectedly visited by an old mentor.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
This is a film about redemption – not only for Thurman, who has spent virtually his entire life in prison or on the street, but for his old mentor Mr. Josephson as well. It is also a film about the far-reaching impact that an act of kindness can have, and the unknown effect people can have on one another.
PRODUCTION
The story of Thurman was inspired by a real-life “Thurman” – a homeless man and repeat criminal offender who always pled guilty to every drug and larceny charge and, accordingly, spent half his life in prison. Yet behind that lengthy criminal record, and down-on-his-luck, streetwise look of a man whose gaze one might otherwise avoid if one encountered him on the street, lay the heartbreaking story of a child with no support, no role models, no direction – and ultimately, no home. The story of Thurman Comes Home is an effort to arrive at a higher understanding of Thurman’s life, and to reinforce the idea that all life has value.
Thurman Comes Home was filmed on January 7, 2017 in Edison, New Jersey and New York City. The script called for cold weather – 18 degrees, to be exact – and a snowstorm that day provided unexpectedly ideal conditions – and, amazingly, 18-degree weather. The actors and crew braved the elements, keeping warm in a nearby car whenever possible, and filmed until just past 12:30 a.m.
CAST:
Thurman.............................................Richard Bird
Mr. Jospehson...................................Wesli Spencer
Young Thurman................................LaVon Tart, Jr.
Concerned Woman.........................Caroline Brody
Deceased Thurman.........................Navon Bird
CREW:
Writer/Producer/Director.............Bruce Gorman, Jr.
Associate Producers......................Richard Bird, Wesli Spencer
Director of Photography...............Rafael Moses
Camera Operator............................ChiHong Yim
Sound Recorder..............................Jose Ochoa, Jr.
Sound Editor/Mixer........................Ken Wilkenson
Editor..................................................Ian Carsia
Filmed in Edison, New Jersey and New York City
© 2017 by Thurman Movie, LLC
A Calliope Pictures Production
(Thurman/Associate Producer) is a New York-based actor, producer, director, and activist. Born in Harlem, Richard is proud of his Jamaican heritage. Recent credits include: Diary of a Badman (festival award winner) and DiRT (Dis is Real Talk) (web series). Later in 2017 Richard will star in the upcoming feature film Scooter Cops of Bed Stuy. Richard is proud of his work in Thurman Comes Home, and hopes it will bring more awareness to the homeless situation.
(Mr. Josephson/Associate Producer) is a classically trained actor who studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. His extensive training brought him to New York City. His range includes stage, television, independent films, and high drama realism film. Credits include: Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respectin“Letters”. Commercial credits: Bank of America, Stacey's Pita Chips. Theater credits: “The Addicts” (Theater for the New City), “Romeo&Juliet” (The Clement). Film credits: “Thurman Goes Home”, “Plurality”, “Harlemites”, “Virgil”, “Brian Mickler”.
(Young Thurman) is a North Carolina- and New Jersey-based actor, producer, model, and the recipient of a number of talent awards. His favorite actor is Denzel Washington, and he loves acting. Recent credits include Misunderstood; Man.
BRUCE GORMAN, JR. (Writer/Director/Producer) is a New York-based filmmaker and writer living in New York City, and the founder of Calliope Pictures.
Behind the scenes on the set of Thurman Comes Home
