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"Into the Fire is a beautifully acted and emotionally powerful drama about life and loss in a post-9/11 America. Sean Patrick Flanery delivers an honest and nuanced performance. His fellow cast members, Melina Kanakerades and JoBeth Williams are in fine form here as well - each searching for the strength to move on, but embraced by the resilience of the human spirit. These are powerful portrayals for our seemingly senseless times."
-JP Sarni,
SIRIUS Satellite Radio
June 27, 2005
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Speaking of the Big Apple, on Aug. 23, I was escorted by two handsome friends of mine – Jacory Brady of Denver and Michael Nicolaysen of New York – to attend the New York premiere of “Into the Fire.” Michael Phelan’s film is a priceless story, a journey of faith and hope. If there are awards for keeping the faith, surely “Into The Fire” is up for the Medal of Honor. The film marks Phelan’s writing and directorial debut, and is set in New York City in the aftermath of 9/11.
Phelan was inspired to make “Into The Fire” from experiences on Christmas Day in 2000, at a time of personal loss and solitude. The indie film depicts characters facing tough times and coming to terms with what is important in life. Sean Patrick Flanery (Walter Hartwig Jr.) is a workaholic, troubled lieutenant of the NYC Harbor Police who freezes during a rescue attempt, and somehow has to find peace within himself and the victim’s twin. Melina Kanakaredes (Catrina/Sabrina Hampton) from TV’s “Providence,” also stars along with Jobeth Williams.
According to the director, the film was shot in 19 days, and each day was filled with beautiful stories of the cast and crew working together. Michael Phelan’s “Into The Fire” will be released on Sept. 23 in theatres. You can visit the film's Web site at www.intothefire.info. Enrapturing, opulently touching, "Into the Fire" is a movie no one should miss.
Mr. Phelan tells me that he’s currently working on two dramas, one of them to be set in Washington, D.C as a story of politics, family and the search for the truth.
-Rose Quintiliano,
Canyon News
September 4, 2005
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| "'Into the Fire' is an intense, powerful drama which delves deeply into its characters who come alive with wonderful performances. It's an intelligent, compelling film. JoBeth Williams gives one of her best, most complex performances... Melina Kanakaredes is enchanting, and Sean Patrick Flanery is the emotional glue holding everything together."
-Jeffrey Lyons, NBC
September 2, 2005 |
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MELINA KANAKAREDES, the “CSI: NY” beauty, took time out from her TV chores, to film Michael Phelan’s indie “Into the Fire.” Melina fell in love with the script, set in New York City in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. More than that, she has the opportunity to emote like mad and really turn in a variety of emotions – she plays twins. The movie also stars JoBeth Williams, who we can never see enough of, and Sean Patrick Flanery. “Into the Fire” is Michael Phelan’s directorial and writing debut. He previously worked at Warner Bros., learning the biz from success stories like producer Joel Silver. This one opens Sept. 23
New York Post
Liz Smith
August 15, 2005 |
“Michael Phelan’s moving drama moves somewhat haltingly, as a lieutenant in the New York Harbor Police, played with believable grit by Sean Patrick Flanery, slowly loses his mind. His strong performance grounds the film, even as his characters emotional arc becomes more extreme.”
New York Magazine
September 26, 2005 |
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" 'Into the Fire' is an intense, powerful drama which delves deeply
into its characters who come alive with wonderful performances.
It's an intelligent, compelling film. JoBeth Williams gives one of
her best, most complex performances... Melina Kanakaredes is enchanting,
and Sean Patrick Flanery is the emotional glue holding everything together."
-Jeffrey Lyons, NBC
September 2, 2005
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“Hope, After 9/11: A Story by Writer and Director Michael Phelan”
In a time of loneliness and shock, writer-director Michael Phelan found solice in the lives of three people who did not exist until he penned them into reality. Phelan began writing Into the Fire, his new feature film, the night after 9/11.
“It was a really challenging time. The things I thought I could count on were wiped clean,” Phelan says. “I locked myself in my house. These characters kept me company.”
Into the Fire, Phelan’s directorial and screenwriting debut, depicts the story of three strangers left broken after a series of tragic events whose lives collide into moments of emotional heroism and mutual healing. They learn that hope never really dies. He says about the film, “This is one very truthful story.”
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE
Rebecca Cho
Hollywood Scripter
October 2005
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