The Gift

a film by Alexander Genievsky

The Gift is a story of kindness, tragicomedy, communication barriers and love. It centers around a couple, Iron (a hearing musician) and Tara (a deaf dancer). Iron rescues Tara from a train accident and falls in love with her. But it is a star-crossed love because Tara expects Iron to understand her by learning to sign, and this is something he finds difficult. The film also sheds light on American Sign Language and some technology (Cochlear Implant) that is controversial in the Deaf community. The plot ends with a tragicomic twist turning upside down the relationship between Tara and Iron.

Total play time: 53 minutes
NTSC; no region encoding
Aspect ratio: 16:9 widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles & Captions: English
Official web site: http://universalsignentertainment.wordpress.com/the-gift-a-film-by-alexander-genievsky/
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gift-a-film-by-Alexander-Genievsky/112594748828130

Awards & Recognition

Best Picture Nominee: Toronto International Deaf Film and Arts Festival 2011
Best Picture Nominee: AbilityFest 2011, Chennai, India
Top List of Winners: Amsterdam International Deaf Film Festival 2011
Official Selection: Hong Kong International Film Festival 2012
Official Selection: Utah Valley University Film Festival 2012
Official Selection: Moscow Disability Film Festival 2012
Audience Award: Rostov-on-Don Festival 2012, Russia

Watch Online or Purchase

Watch Online

Visit our Vimeo On Demand page. Rental price is $2.50 for 72 hours. Buy and download for $7.50.

Purchase from Tonal Vision

Individual viewing only: $15
Lending/circulation license: $30
Display license: $100
Shipping: Free!
Individual viewing with special handling: $27
Choose this option if you need shipment outside the US and/or PAL format for your DVD.

Credits

CAST

Iron - Steven Quinn
Tara - Tami Lee Santimyer
Carb - Daniel Wyland
Iron's Motorcycle Double - Larry Curran
Additional Motorcyclists
- Andrè Lea
- Wayne Lund
- Andraise Scott
ASL Interpreter - Sabrina Bergman
Dance Teacher - Yolanta Rozynek
Pianist - Kraig B. Greff
Tonio - Andrew Weidig
Tara's Mother - Rita Corey
Michelle, Carb ‘s Sister - Ivana Genievsky
Earl, Iron ‘s Father - Larry Curran
Nurse - Kirstyn Indgjer
Bass Player - Christopher Huntington
Curious Girl at Party - Annalee Laird
Party Attendees
- Bonnie Kasperek
- Amanda Lilly
- Samantha Knopp
- Mike Pierce
- Kim Shapiro
- Joseph Trageser

PRODUCERS

Alexander Genievsky
Jacqueline Greff
Frank Tybush

DIRECTOR

Alexander Genievsky

WRITING

Original Script - Alexander Genievsky
Script Editors - Frank Tybush & Elizabeth Tybush

CINEMATOGRAPHY

Director of Photography - Jacqueline Greff
Additional Camera - Bonnie Kasperek

ASL TRANSLATIONS

Sabrina Bergman
Tami Lee Santimyer

CREW

Assistant Director - Frank Tybush
Production Assistants
- Bonnie Kasperek
- Elizabeth Tybush
- Kim Shapiro
- Mike Pierce (party scene)
- Joe Trageser (party scene)
- Chris Huntington (party scene)
Audio Kraig B. Greff

EDITING

Jacqueline Greff
Blake Rolen (title sequence graphics)
Kim Shapiro (hospital scene)
Frank Tybush (trailer & cover graphics)

MUSIC & AUDIO

Original Compositions - Kraig B. Greff
All Keyboards - Kraig B. Greff
Audio Postproduction - Kraig B. Greff
Vocalist - Rick Olaguer
Guitar - Chris Everett
Bass - Daniel Hones

SPECIAL THANKS TO

Shannon Cooley, Shannon‘s Teahouse & Arts Gallery, Frederick, MD (opening scene)
Ron & Gail Furman, Max’s Taphouse, Baltimore, MD (closing party scene)
Model Secondary School for the Deaf, Gallaudet University, Washington, DC
The Maryland Ensemble Theatre, Frederick, MD
Lori Bonheyo
Gene Bergman
Claire Bergman
Grace Walker
Tom Walker