News

Magnolia Pictures' "QUID PRO QUO" NY Screening!

May 28, 2008—New York, NY Sindy Gordon
By special arrangement with Magnolia Pictures, join disTHIS! for a special MEMBERS APPRECIATION sneak preview screening of QUID PRO QUO, contemporary psychological thriller set in New York City, prior to its theatrical release June 13th! That's right, here's your chance to see QUID PRO QUO before it hits movie theaters. This daring film reveals the eye-opening subculture of "wannabes" -- able-bodied people who want to be disabled -- in writer-director Carlos Brooks' debut feature.

In the film, Isaac (Carnivale’s Nick Stahl), a wheelchair-using public radio journalist, is assigned to cover the wannabes phenomenon. During his time with them he meets Fiona (Vera Farmiga), who may or may not have played a part in a life-changing incident in his past. But will his involvement with Fiona lead Isaac to answers about this underworld of seekers, or will their stormy association push him toward a more painful truth from his past?

A mix between a comedy and psychological thriller, Director Brooks first conceived a wheelchair-using central figure in a film three years ago, but found it a struggle to create a compelling story. "The problem was I was making an assumption I was more comfortable with disability than I truthfully am," he says. But after discovering wannabes during a late night internet surf he knew he had found his movie. "In order to feel better they believe they need to be injured. I just found that so compelling," Brooks says. "In effect I think I had to become a wannabe in order to write truthfully the life of somebody who uses a wheelchair."

Fully aware of the film's controversial subject matter, Brooks hopes the film causes discussion. "All I want is for the audience to be incredibly engaged by the story and I'd love it if they were debating it among themselves hotly as they walk out of the theater," he says. "I'd love that it provokes a stimulating conversation, a different way at looking at things."

The Sundance Film Guide summed QUID PRO QUO up by saying:

"Quid Pro Quo does not celebrate or sensationalize the subculture it portrays but instead explores the human psyche and allows the audience to ask questions. Brooks takes us on a journey to explore our desires, find order in disorder, and exhume the need to restore normalcy to a society we find ourselves ostracized from.”

disTHIS! movies, talkback sessions and related events are open to the public. This special June 4th screening of QUID PRO QUO is FREE to paid Disabilities Network members, $5 general public. In English. ASL interpretation and audio description available upon request. Space is wheelchair accessible. There is a cash bar for drinks, but seating is limited to the first 65 people! Screenings are regularly filled to capacity. Seats are going fast. DON'T MISS OUT! Call 212.284.4160 to reserve YOUR seat or email: disthis@dnnyc.net

Want to see QUID PRO QUO for free? Join, or renew your membership to, the Disabilities Network TODAY by going to:
https://secure.groundspring.org/dn/index.php?aid=2592

Members Appreciation Screening of QUID PRO QUO
When: Next Wednesday, June 4th!
Time: 6:30 to 10:00 pm. Screening starts @ 7:00 pm
Where:
DCTV @ The Firehouse
3rd Floor Screening Room
87 Lafayette St (between Walker & White)
Closest subway stops: N/Q/R/W, J/M/Z, or 6 to Canal Street. DCTV is located two blocks South of Canal Street in NYC.
Cost: Free to paid members of the Disabilities Network, $5 general public

The disTHIS! Film Series, a project of the Disabilities Network of NYC in association with DCTV, is a monthly showcase of festival quality independent and international short, documentary and feature films with disability themes audiences are unlikely to see elsewhere. disTHIS! movies are always provocative; never quite what you’d expect. The Tribeca Trib, New York Nonprofit Press, the NY Times Style Section and Disabilty Studies Quartely all agree: No handkerchief necessary, no heroism required, disTHIS! is disability through a whole new lens. The disTHIS! Film Series is made possible by the generous support of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the Screen Actors Guild, the NYU Community Fund, the United Way and our members.

Read more about the criptastic May disTHIS! 2nd anniversary screening by going to:

http://coffeeandgender.blogspot.com/2008/05/disthis-more-thoughts-on-disability.html
http://disstud.blogspot.com/2008/05/road-trip-disthis-new-york.html