Faith is
where we place our hearts.
In the waning hours of September’s
eleventh day, 2001, the helplessness that shrouded
our existence clenched my heart and soul, determined
to wring out any defiant shreds of hope that dared
to remain. All that I had come to believe to be vital,
if not necessary, had been eviscerated along with all
that used to be, down there, along the southern tip
of Manhattan.
I wished I could make it rain Faith Drops,
everywhere, if only for one minute.
And so, “Into
the Fire” was
born-
I will be forever grateful.
We navigated through the minefield of
advisors who told us to “head north” and instead held true to our
intention. We would shoot this in New York after all, because
She WAS my leading lady…and She did not
disappoint.
Thank you for the two years of fearful
executives, each shaking their heads while creating
a negative connotation for the word “ambitious.”
Thank
you for the blackout during casting with a room full
of 9 year old girls and their dutiful mothers (Note
to self: the buddy system works).
Thank you for Hurricane
Isabelle, whom we looked dead in the eye as she formed
and gathered steam, scheduled to hit the eastern seaboard
just in time for the first day of production.
And, least
I forget, for the Saharan sandstorm that freezing evening
on the boardwalk of Coney Island, just in time for
the most dramatic dialogue…thank you. I wouldn’t
have it any other way.
As for the 114 craftsmen
and women who were individually selected to do justice
to this story…who were just
crazy enough to join me on this journey, I live
and breathe in awe at your passion and talent. I
will carry each of you with me forever. Thank you
all.
Make no mistake: this picture represents
all that is right about independent film.
Inasmuch
as it is a journey of the heart, it is also a hope
story…one which comes intentionally at a time
when all that is hopeful lives under constant fire. In
such times, performances such as these are the fearlessness
and courage that have the power to affect change…maybe
even create the meteorological wonder that is
a faith
blasted thundershower.
The collective “We” that represents my cast
and crew, now have the honor and duty to set her free. This
freedom is in our nature and I know now, more than ever,
that our future is filled with hope, not certainty…and
this hope lives in our hearts, every day. Where
you place it is up to you.
These characters stood by me in dark
times during my journey…
I only hope they can
be there for yours.
Michael C. Phelan
Los Angeles, 2004
