editor's blog

AWARD-WINNING DARK COMEDY “DEATH, TAXES… AND CHOCOLATE!” PREMIERES AT THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENT FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL!

“One Sweet Movie” – New Bern Sun Journal
 New York NY [August 26, 2008] -- Holistic practitioner and former geologist turned award-winning screenwriter Dr. Andrea Levinson today announced that her first independent film "Death, Taxes… and Chocolate! will screen at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF). The dark comedy feature will have its East Coast Premiere on Sunday September 21 at 6PM with a decadent reception to follow at Still NYC. The film has been very well received by critics and recently won multiple awards at the NYIIFVF in LA including, Best Original Screenplay, Best Dark Comedy, a Best Supporting Actress award for Catherine Trail, Best Orignal Score in a Feature Film as well as Best Film Marketing Campaign, and director Bud Dowdey was nominated for Best Director.

Adapted by Dr. Levinson from her 2005 play, “Death Taxes and Chocolate!”, and co-written and directed by “Bud” Dowdey, the film is an indie “dark chocolate” comedy that exposes US health agencies’ bias towards conventional health care. Levinson based the story on real events with herself and seven of her very witty friends, and created six characters for the story including an engineer, turkey farmer, natural medicine doctor, teacher, boat captain and a former CIA Agent who now sells insurance.

Most of the story takes place on a yacht (Levinson’s real healing office), where the six friends lament over the frightening health care options targeted particularly at aging seniors. Together they take charge of their own destiny and devise a plan to avoid the depressing pitfalls of aging. Cast and crew attending the New York screening include Dr. Andrea Levinson, Peggy Droz (General Hospital), Catherine Campbell (Dawson’s Creek, Matlock), Terrie Batson (Cyborg, Chandler & Chandler), Greg Frucci, (PCP...A VanGuard Chronicle, Undoing Time), Jan Hartsell and Dan Donovan.

In a recent interview with Independent Film Quarterly, Levinson explains the crucial catalyst and message in the film, which she also executive produced. “Being totally disabled for four years and losing everything, including custody of my children because of my conventional health care, changes your perspective on life. I became a Doctor of Natural Medicine so others wouldn't have to go through what I did. An estimated over 300,000 Americans are killed and even more are harmed by their health care each year. My mother died from her Chemotherapy, not cancer; yet for the second time my practice was shut down for teaching nutrition and preventative health care to my patients. In my dispair, I wrote the original play that became the movie "Death, Taxes... and Chocolate!" The film encompasses many of the events I had to endure as a doctor of holistic medicine including the fear of going to work. If the Berlin Wall can fall, we Americans need to make the AMA and the FDA held accountable for the failure of health care in this country today,” added Levisnon.
 
The film was written, produced and filmed entirely in North Carolina and boasts stunning cinematography and an original soundtrack by various local musicians including Andrea and Phil Owens, Margaret Rose, Chantal Hallatschek and Glenn Kolleda and even Levinson herself wrote the compelling song “ Doc’s Lament” and the funny, edited out scene of the “Senior Trot.”

Here’s what the critics are saying:

“One Sweet Movie” 
 -Charlie Hall - New Bern Sun Journal 

“Finally a movie that makes you think!”
 -Michael Sterling - Richmond Times

“I'm used to working with people who are widely published, widely produced, prolific award-winners. I encourage them to write stories that are useful to the social fabric. I was touched by the honesty and sincerity and truth of (Andrea's) story. She was saying 'this is my gift'. Sweet Jesus... She pulled it off!”
 -Mark Woods - New River Dramatists

“I am very impressed by “Death Taxes… and Chocolate!” It is important and informative yet darkly funny. The film also has beautiful cinematography, a clever script and a great cast. Dr. Levinson is talented, passionate and not certainly afraid to take risks. Audiences will enjoy the film and we really look forward to giving the film the exposure it richly deserves.”
  -Stuart Alson (Publisher of Independent Film Quarterly)

The fall edition of NYIIFVF will run from Sep 18-25 at City Cinemas Village East (181 2nd ave. and 12th street). NYIIFVF is a competitive event that screens the work of emerging and established filmmakers from around the globe. Levinson and her team will have their award-wining film exhibit at a prime location at Mansion for the festival’s opening night kick-off party and film market.

Advance tickets are $12 and can be purchased at www.nyfilmvideo.com. Press and distributors can obtain an all-access pass by faxing a request on company letterhead to (702) 361 6309 (attn. Nicole Holland). Sponsors for the New York  screening and party include Webb's Candies, Equal Exchange Fair Trade Chocolate and Dandy Blend.
 
For all interview and review requests, and invitation to the premiere and afterparty, please contact Briege McGarrity at 917 783 4042 or email her at BMcGarrityPR@aol.com. For further information about “Death Taxes and Chocolate, check out www.deathtaxesandchocolate.com or contact Dr. Levinson at 713-376-6570 or 252-638-3311 or via email at alevinsonfilm@yahoo.com.