Islander comes to Cape Cod

Native Cape Codder stars in the drama "Islander"

"She is definitely a gutsy actress." - the director on Amy Jo Johnson

So far this season, the Cape Cinema in Dennis has offered an entertaining line up of films including the Truman Capote bio-pic, "Infamous" and "The Queen", a portrait of British royalty starring Dame Helen Mirren. Upcoming films look just as promising including "Islander", a poignant drama about local fishing life on the Maine island of Vinalhaven in Penobscot Bay.

While many of the film's themes may sound  familiar to Cape Codders and Islanders, the drama is of particular local interest as it stars Cape native Amy Jo Johnson.

Johnson may be best known for her television roles in Lifetime's "The Division", the WB's college hit, "Felicity" and the current ABC series "What About Brian."  True Amy Jo Johnson fans will remember her skills as a competitive gymnast helped her land the role of the Pink Power Ranger in the children's action show "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers." Even at the young age of 36, Johnson is a seasoned actress who proved a perfect fit as the film's female lead, Cheryl Cole.

"They say you can pick your friends, but not your relatives. On an island we're all related. Whether we like to think so or not." - Ian McCrudden

Growing up on the Cape, Johnson was familiar with "townies" and how life in a seaside community can be.  The director found Amy Jo Johnson's portrayal of Cheryl "inspiring."  "She is definitely a gutsy actress.  She took on a tough character and gave her the depth that other actresses might have overlooked."

"Islander", written and directed by Ian McCrudden, promises to be an unflinching look at island life. According to McCrudden, "They say you can pick your friends, but not your relatives.  On an island we're all related.  Whether we like to think so or not."

Put this film on your "must see" list.

"Islander" will be playing at the Cape Cinema November 17 through 21 (Friday 4:30pm & 7pm; Saturday  2pm, 4:30pm, 7pm & 9pm; Sunday 2pm, 4:30pm, 7pm; Monday and Tuesday 4:30pm and 7pm.  The film also stars Thomas Hildreth, Philip Baker Hall, Ron Canada and Larry Pine.   The Cape Cinema is located on Route 6A in Dennis. 508-385-2503.

The Friday, November 17th performance will feature a reception with refreshments for the filmmaker and featured performers following the 7pm showing.  Tickets are $10 and $12.

View the trailer on the official site here.

Film description: Maine’s Penobscot Bay island Vinalhaven is the setting for this independent film with its compelling narrative of redemption. Shot on location, the rugged coastal locales provide a dynamically beautiful backdrop for the drama that accurately captures the uniqueness of life in a close-knit island community as well as the mystique of fishing culture. Noteworthy ensemble cast includes Cape native Amy Jo Johnson.

Amy Jo Johson's bio: Amy Jo Johnson is well known to television audiences for her roles as a champion jockey
in ABC Family’s “Wildfire,” a rookie cop in the Lifetime drama series “The Division,”and, previously, for her role as a series regular on the hit WB show “Felicity.” Other television appearances include the Hallmark Channel movie Hard Ground, with Burt Reynolds and Bruce Dern, and guest starring roles on “Spin City,” “ER,” and the
upcoming ABC series “What About Brian.” Her latest project is co-producing In Memory of my Father, a dark independent comedy starring Jeremy Sisto, Judy Greer, and Monet Mazur.

Equally passionate about music as she is about film, Amy Jo recently released her first
full length CD, “The Trans-American Treatment.” The CD is available on her official
music website www.amyjojohnson.com .

Amy Jo’s also loves to work with children. In addition to participating as a tutor for refugee kids through the International Rescue Committee’s summer program in the Bronx, she has made frequent trips to Bosnia as a volunteer with the Global Children’s Organization.

Ian McCrudden's bio: Ian got his start at Stanford University, where he received the Golden Medal for writing
and directing. His production of "Night Baseball" won the National College Theater Festival, and Stanford University Press published his thesis on Samuel Beckett. Ian has directed several films including most recently: Indestructible: The Life and Times of Anita O’Day; Trespassers, a surf-horror film; The Big Day  starring Julianna Margulies, Ivan Sergei, and Dixie Carter; Mr. Smith Gets a Hustler  (which he first developed as a play at the New York Performance Works); and Trailer – The Movie. He has directed numerous original plays in the US and abroad and is the  author the screenplay Cowboys and Indians, and the play Man of the House.

Above images and bios from www.islanderthemovie.com.