Filmi Shorts: Shiva by Julie Brar

Friday, September 27th, 2013 @ 6:30

Toronto Premiere

SHIVA

Directed by Tony Dean Smith

Length: 5:00 Minutes

Year: 2013

Written by Julie Brar and Tony Dean Smith

Synopsis:

Based on Gandhi’s notion that an eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind, SHIVA explores the destructive cycle of violence in politics, religion and relationships. On the surface, Senator Gainsworth and Chantal Gainsworth are a picture perfect power couple. Yet underneath the successful facade, dark obsessions threaten to destroy their “happy”
marriage – culminating in a twist that brings new insight into Gandhi’s prophetic words.

Artist’s Bio:

Julie Brar was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After high school she attended the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute to immerse herself into acting.After theatre school Ms. Brar made her home in Vancouver for several years. Her television credits include roles on Smallville, Search and Rescue and Fringe. Julie made her film debut in Chris Columbus’ Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Currently she can be seen in the highly successful Showtime/SyFy series Lost Girl. Besides acting Julie also enjoys producing and writing. She believes that there are many stories that have yet to make it to the stage or the screen. To that end she is doing her part to bring those stories to life. On the producing side Julie’s credits include John Patrick Shanley’s Danny and the Deep Blue Sea last fall here in Toronto. She has written several projects up to this point – Shiva (short film), Om Sweet Om (web series) and her first successful one woman play in the Toronto Fringe this past summer – The Very Very Girl. Currently Julie is writing two new projects geared towards television- a half hour sitcom of Om Sweet Om and Jade- an original science fiction drama. She is also currently writing her first book.

When Julie is not dreaming up her next creative venture she can be found on her yoga mat, meditating in the woods or kicking butt in Muay Thai (her latest passion).

Currently Julie lives in Toronto with her vegan cat and roommate. Follow Julie on

Twitter @juliebrar.

Director’s Bio:

Director Tony Dean Smith
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tony Dean Smith first fell in love with the camera at age 10, when he realized his love of drawing and storytelling could be twisted and turned into a motion picture sequence. At 19, he wrote and directed his first feature film, “The Other Side of Being.” Two days after wrapping he enrolled in film school where he turned heads with
his visual style, earning top grades as a cinematographer, editor, writer and director.
Tony’s passion for story and the moving image then brought him to the attention of the Directors’ Guild of Canada, where he received a “Kickstart” grant for what turned into his first 35mm short film, “Reflection.” The sensitive, thought provoking subject matter along his signature visual style allowed the film to play in festivals around the world. It earned 5 Leo
nominations for best picture, best director, best cinematography, and best performances.
Based on “Reflection’s” heart and style Tony was hired by multi-talented writer/director Jacob Medjuck to co-direct the coming of age comedy “Summerhood.” During this period Tony was also hired to direct his first national television show, CTV’s hit comedy series “Robson Arms.” After the success of his first episode, he was brought back for two more
episodes the following season. As a screenwriter Tony is the recipient of the Super Catalyst Screenwriter
Award for “The Sensational,” which he co-wrote with his frequent collaborator and creative partner Ryan W. Smith. Tony and Ryan have written on projects with Matt Salsberg, Sepia Films and Paperny Films. They have a number of projects in active development. As an editor Tonyhas cut his teeth on many television movies, features and music videosgarnering several awards.
Directed by Tony Dean Smith
Written by Julie Brar and Tony Dean Smith
Produced by Julie Brar and Ryan W. Smith
Cinematography by Lux
Music by John J. Kongos with original song by Mark Hildreth
Starring Frank Cassini, Lisa Stadnykova, and Julie Brar