Commodity Films Sponsors Talk with the World’s First Blind Feature Film Director at Gasparilla International Film Festival
Tampa, Florida March 17, 2011- “Nearly 285 million people suffer from diabetes; there are approximately 40 million who are blind because of it. Only one has directed a movie, and that man is Joseph M. Monks, ” says Russell Hess, CEO of Commodity Films. “I couldn’t be more pleased to partner with Joe Monks. Monks is an amazing man with a passion for film. I appreciate and encourage his desire to give back to the community by hosting talks like this one at the Gasparilla International Film Festival because he’s such an inspiration to many.” Monks adds, “I hope engaging audiences in a discussion about what I went through will encourage others in some way.” Monks will be speaking in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, March 27, at 2 PM, at Cinebistro in Hyde Park.
Who is Joe Monks? His career began before he went blind, twenty-two years ago. He was the co-creator of the cult comic book series “Cry for Dawn.” “Life was exciting, my comic book series was a success, and everything was going according to plan,” says Monks. By 2001, though, Monks’ life changed. “My life was altered when I was diagnosed with Retinopathy caused by my diabetes. I began to have blurry vision and my eyes were getting cloudy,” says Monks. Retinopathy is a disease of the retina that can result in loss of vision. “The doctor thought he might be able to save my sight, but the outlook was grim,” said Monks. “The day I found out was one of the toughest days in my life,” recalls Monks. By 2003, Monks was completely blind. Good things were happening, however. A story from his anthology was optioned for a television pilot in foreign markets and the Global Broadcast Company picked up the series for syndication. “The best of those good things,” Monks says, “I married Pam in 2004. I couldn’t be who I am without her love and support. ‘The Bunker’ exists because my wife believed I could direct it. “
Monks’ full-length feature, “The Bunker” will debut in festivals worldwide in 2011. Hess said, “Monks is such an accomplished director. He is an inspiration to everyone who suffers with diabetes and filmmakers alike. He makes it possible for others to see they, too, can successfully overcome the obstacles life presents.”
WHAT: Joe Monks, the world’s first blind film director, will be discussing the making of his first feature film “The Bunker” at the Gasparilla International Film Festival. Monks realized his dream despite some of the most distressing setbacks any director could imagine, including: two hurricanes, a blizzard wiping out his shoot, the death of a crucial crew member, an emergency surgery, and overcoming his blindness. To find out more about how Monks triumphed through these hardships, he will be on hand at the festival for a presentation and Q &A session, and to sign autographs.
WHO:
Commodity Films Sponsors Joe Monks’ Talk about “The Bunker”
WHEN:
Sunday March 27, 2011, 2:00 PM “The Bunker” presentation and Q & A
WHERE:
Cinebistro in Hyde Park
WHY:
Joe Monks is the world’s first blind feature film director.
ABOUT Commodity Films
Commodity Films (CF) is a boutique distribution company that has the capability to market worldwide with tremendous success. The company works with filmmakers from the ground up, assisting with research and development, marketing, public relations and distribution. CF gives team support to Indy filmmakers who do not understand the complexities of managing all the aspects of their film from inception to release. Commodity Films is also committed to helping the community through film. The firms approach is to align a social cause and a filmmaker in partnership. CF believes that corporate social responsibility is crucial to communities worldwide, therefore giving back to the community that enriched the filmmakers’ lives is essential. www.commodityfilms.com
