Defying Gravity

Plot

Cassandra, a mute runaway girl, takes refuge in the Jewish cemetery in which her mother is laid to rest. She is watched over by Jorge, the cemetery caretaker, an illegal immigrant. Shore is a dynamic, handsome, and brilliant young man who also happens to be homeless. After almost hitting Cassandra in his dilapidated VW bus, he becomes fascinated by the gothic cemetery waif and attempts to befriend her.

A sequence of events results in Cass getting lost. Jorge and Shore flee the cemetery in a stolen hearse to find Cassandra before her abusive stepfather does. All paths lead to Yermo, California - the site of a roadside diner and a feisty but compassionate transvestite waitress named Lola.

Cast

Alexandra Mathews as Cassandra

Willam Belli as Lola

Macauley Gray as Shore

Mario Martinez as Jorge

Tony Franchitto (credited as Anthony Franchitto) as Lubitch

Andrew Torres as Menendez

Bea Bernstein as Psychic Lady

Sara Corder as Destry

Michael Francesco as Sebastian

Ellen Gedert as Social Worker

Andrew Hawley as Mercurio

Ariel James as Zoe

Mike McNamee as Penlorion

Liniana Montenegro as Ofelia

Carlos Luis Orrala as Arnulfo

Joey Rivas as Pedro

Tara Saunders as Edwina

Jane Shepherd as Miss Grace

Awards

Digital Video and Hi Def Festival 2008 - Best Story/Writing

Fallbrook Film Festival 2008 - Director's Choice

Action on Film International Film Festival 2008 2008 - Best LGBT Project

Paso Robles Digital Film Festival 2008 - Festival Choice Award

Wildwood By The Sea Film Festival 2008 - Best Narrative Feature

Riverside International Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection

Feel Good Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection

Other Venice Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection

LA Femme Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection

Red Rock Film Festival 2008 - Official Selection

Beverly Hills Digital and Hi-Def Festival 2008 - Official Selection