CRAZY, an Award-Winning Film Inspired by the Life of Guitar Legend Hank Garland, is an Official Selection at Hawaii's Big Island Film Festival, Screening Saturday, May 17, 7:30PM

Most recently on the festival circuit, CRAZY, which was directed by Rick Bieber, won the Jury Award for Best Feature at theCharleston International Film Festival. ForCharleston, SC's Post and Courier, film critic Bill Thompson wrote, "CRAZY has a bedrock feel of authenticity...the work of a filmmaker who genuinely cares about the story he is relating and the man at its core...a lively, emotionally resonant movie -- with wonderful music -- that is an uncommonly seamless meld of character study and period recreation." Earlier this spring, at the L.A. area's 10th Annual Method Fest inCalabasas, CA, the film won the Daily News Award for Best Screenplay for a script co-written by Bieber, Jason Ehlers and Brent Boyd.

Bieber was introduced to the project, and to the late Hank Garland, by Ray Scherr, who served as Executive Producer for CRAZY along with guitar hero Steve Vai (who performs a cameo as Hank Williams) under the Favored Nations Films mantle. Scherr had known the Garland family for over a decade, and believed Hank's true story had great potential for a compelling drama. Hank consulted on the screenplay and was involved with the project until he passed away in December '04, shortly before principal photography began.

Waylon Payne, acclaimed for his debut film role as Jerry Lee Lewis in the Oscar-winning film Walk The Line, stars as Hank Garland. LA.com recently wrote of his performance, "The brash and brilliant musician is well played by charismatic actor Waylon Payne." In addition to acting, Payne is a country artist with deep musical roots. He was named for his godfather, Waylon Jennings, and is the son of GRAMMY-winning country singer Sammi Smith and Jody Payne, longtime guitarist for Willie Nelson.

Payne headlines CRAZY opposite Ali Larter (Heroes, Legally Blonde, Varsity Blues, etc), who plays Hank's beautiful but deeply troubled wife Evelyn Garland. Cast members also include: Scott Michael Campbell, who plays Garland's friend and fellowNashville guitar ace Billy Byrd; Lane Garrison as Hank's brother and manager Billy Garland; singer Stacy Earl, who performs as country crooner Goldie Hill; Evans Forde asNashville music legend Chet Atkins; and Ryan Cross, who plays jazz bassist Joe Benjamin.

CRAZY chronicles Hank Garland's rise to fame inNashville, from playing on hits for icons including Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, the Everly Brothers and Roy Orbison through his brief but influential solo career as a visionary jazz artist. It also explores his tempestuous marriage as well as his repeated clashes with the "Nashville Mob" -- who then controlled the country music establishment -- over artist's rights, civil rights and other issues. The car crash and electroshock treatments that eventually ended Garland's performing career and derailed his life are starkly portrayed, and the enormity of what was lost is deeply felt.

CRAZY is also an official selection at upcoming 2008 festivals including: theJacksonville Film Festival (5/15-18);Hoboken International Film Festival (5/30-6/5);New Jersey International Film Festival (5/30-6/15);Colorado's Breckenridge Festival of Film (6/5-8);Boston International Film Festival (6/6-14); International Film Festival ofEngland (6/9-13, Tamworth, U.K.); Maui International Film Festival (6/11-15);Provincetown International Film Festival (6/18-22); Long Island International Film Expo (7/9-17); Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival (7/16-28) and the Scottsdale International Film Festival (10/3-7).

For more information, log on to http://www.crazy-themovie.com

SOURCE Favored Nations Films

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