HOLLYWOOD DREAMS DO COME TRUE

Every moviemaker can take inspiration from the success story of micro budget independent film Give Me Liberty.

Despite having no big name stars and not even an obviously commercial storyline, it has become a festival circuit darling, secured distribution and is delighting audiences around the world.

A cross-cultural comedy with a social conscience, the story follows the unexpected adventures of a Russian-American medical transport van driver dropping off handicapped people to their destinations around Wisconsin.

“It’s a very special film and I had never read a script so unique, distinctive and touching,” said producer Michael Manasseri (pictured) who, believing in its potential, steered and part financed the project.

Out of 14,000 films submitted Sundance 2019 it got in and was the surprise hit of the prestigious festival. From there it went to the Cannes Film Festival, wining even more praise.

Now with releases in America, France and Russia and many other territories to come, Give Me Liberty is set to be as big a commercial success as a critical one.

—Sandro Monetti