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You have the right
to remain violent
...anything you say can
and
will be used against you
It sounds almost familiar. Only there is no court of law, and the word silent has been replaced. Now it's violent. And with violence, comes security. And with security, comes loss of rights. But what happens when the "security people" organize fights? War? Poverty? You get ... reality.
That is the point the filmmakers make in this incredibly powerful upcoming film, You Have the Right to Remain Violent. The film follows middle school student Zack Whitley, played by Mark Munford, as he is conned into a fight club controlled by officials for their own profit and sick entertainment. It is directed by multi-award winner and humanitarian Roberto Monticello, who has also directed such films as The Stand In, The Italian Movie and The Serpent's Head, to name a few.
"We made this film for the benefit of the children of America," Monticello said. Joel Greenberg, the film's creator and producer, agrees. "It's both a microcosm for our world and wake up call for parents," said Joel. "This stuff is really going on all over the place, and our website - www.righttoremainviolent.com - links to many instances, including a group home for the mentally disabled, where the workers organized and videotaped fights with mentally challenged residents."
Greenberg, who once owned an ice cream truck company, discovered the film's young star, Mark Munford, while on his route. "From the time I first met him, I knew he was a star. He came from low income housing, but I knew he didn't belong there." Munford and Greenberg developed their story about corruption, greed, and power-hungry officials ... a story both men had dealt with.
"We talked about crooked politicians and thought it would make a great film to have them profit by physically hurting children," Greenberg said. The duo created a screenplay that made the top 10 percent at the Slamdance Film Festival, and ultimately attracted Monticello's attention.
"I hear about these types of stories happening all the time," Monticello said. "I had to bring this to the screen for the sake of the children. It has to stop."
Greenberg refused a 6-figure deal for the story rights when the production company offering it would not allow Munford to act. "I told them the fact that he'd never acted before is the whole point. That's why I wanted him. He's real," Greenberg explained. "I believe Munford is a natural, extremely talented actor, but they didn't care."
Greenberg made Munford a promise that they would someday make their movie, no matter what. Almost four years later, after the sale of his business and his house, along with a lot of begging, he delivered.
Munford is now preparing for his second film, Ironsides, and searching for a talent agent in LA. As for Greenberg, "I'm flat broke, living in my parents' basement, but I know that keeping Mark, refusing the buy-out, and sticking to my guns was the best decision that I ever made," he said, smiling.
Monticello agreed. "This film should be in every theatre in America. It's too important not to be."
- Jason Digby
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