SPECIAL NEEDS

SPECIAL NEEDS
(GENERAL INFORMATION)
Running Time:
88 min
Shooting Format:
MiniDV
Film Festivals:
Official Selection, Calgary International Fringe Film Festival, Aug. 2006
Official Selection, Westwood International Film Festival, Oct. 2006
Official Selection, Global Arts Film Festival, June 2007
Director & Website:
Isaak James
http://isaakjames.com/
Producers:
Isaak James
Eva James
Michael C. Kricfalusi
Production Company & Website
Last Ditch Pictures
Distributor
Troma Entertainment
Website:
www.specialneedsthemovie.com
IMDB Listing:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0847219/
MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/specialneedsthemovie
SPECIAL NEEDS TRAILER
TO BE AIRED ON
IFC'S MEDIA LAB
New York, March 16, 2007 -- Last Ditch Pictures is pleased to announce that the "Special Needs Trailer"
has been selected to appear on IFC's Media Lab Shorts Uploaded. The half-hour program was created by
IFC to highlight the best short films uploaded to their Media Lab site. The program airs on Monday, April
2nd at 8:30 pm eastern time on IFC. The trailer will be the last short film of the 30 minute segment.
"I think this is a great opportunity to promote the film's upcoming release through Troma Entertainment,"
says Isaak James (producer & director of Special Needs)
Beyond the Fringe: Special Needs
Written by Bill Gibron
Published May 27, 2007
Reality TV really doesn’t need help
making fun of itself, what with the
preening man whores and street beat
skanks of shows like I Love New York and
Bad Girls, respectively. Like a satiric
version of a self-fulfilling prophecy,
pushing the limits of plausibility has
caused the medium to manipulate the
product into more and more perplexing –
and preposterous – positions. At one
time, all we cared about was survival and
self reliance. Now, it’s a combination of
egomaniacal exaggerations of excellence
meshed with worthless wish fulfillment.
So if someone told you that the latest
exercises in televised authenticity will
revolve around finding the best pirate,
the newest superhero, or the most talented handicapped person, you probably wouldn’t flinch. Oddly
enough, two of those three are actually on their way to a boob tube near you. The third forms the
foundation for one of the funniest, most critical comedies about the business of show ever conceived.
Like Lollilove before, Special Needs is an amazing new mock documentary by the multitalented Isaak
James. Centering on a TV wunderkind named Warren Piece (James) and his American Idol like cast of
critical cohorts – former A-lister Laura Wilcox (Eva James) and confused corrections officer David Smith
(Michael C. Kricfalusi) – we are thrown into a world that, at first, looks shockingly familiar. Piece and his
posse are self-centered schmoes, each one working through their own set of aggressively inconsiderate
issues. Smith wants to be taken seriously as part of the entertainment industry. Wilcox is working off a ‘fat
actress’ reputation. And Piece needs to make up for a previous reality show disaster. When desperate
network CNT puts a newbie in charge of production, the trio thinks they’ve found a friendly ear. All that’s
left is to pitch their latest project.
And it’s a dozy. Piece wants to find a group of photogenic, engaging ‘retards, psychos, and freaks’ to star in
his latest reality brainstorm – Handicaps. That’s right, He plans on picking individuals with differing
physical and/or mental issues and force them to live together in a swanky Addams Family-like Victorian
house of humors. Then he can monitor their behavior and manipulate the playback in order to discover
what it’s really like when mongoloids and misfits stop being polite, and start being…well, he hasn’t quite
gotten that far yet. Noted for his outrageous ideas and Simon Cowell on steroids critiques, Piece has to find
a hook to keep audiences intrigued, and with the help of some stoned production assistants, the final facet
is put in place – TALENT!
Now all he needs are the weirdoes. At first, it looks like Special Needs is going to be the same old sloppy
spoofery. James – who wrote, directed, stars and probably prepared the craft services – appears overly
eager to roll out a combination of actual and ‘artificial’ human oddities and get us to laugh at what makes
us uncomfortable and antsy. We expect the thwarting of convention, the tweaking of PC paradigms, and
some good old fashioned vulgar funny business at the expense of someone else’s predicament. Yes, it will
all be in bad taste, but the current envelope pushing conceit of motion picture comedy readily supports
such obvious offensiveness. Just ask the Farrelly Brothers.
But this is not where James and his clever cast actually go. Not at all. Instead, we are wrapped up in an
engaging and intricate world of high maintenance histrionics, battling bravado, cockeyed creativity, and
just enough sideshow shock value to transcend the potentially tacky. Special Needs does employ the
services of several handi-capable individuals, and all of them single-handedly steal the show. During an
open audition for potential participants, we are introduced to a paranoid schizophrenic lounge singer, a
determined deaf actor, a genial blind man, a wheelchair bond vixen, and a no bullshit dwarf. Initially, they
remain on the fringes. But once the callbacks come, James gives each individual their three dimensional
setpiece moment to shine.
The clear breakout star here is someone called Killer P. A bad ass gansta rapper with cerebral palsy, if he’s
not the future of urban culture, no one is. Using an aggressive thug life stance to shelter criticism over his
obvious physical limitations, he’s a foul mouthed masterwork, a tripwire Tupac locked in an equally potent
personal fortress. He’s a classic character (or a great find) and almost instantly demands the making of a
solo feature all his own. Every moment he’s on screen is worth savoring and repeating. He’s gutbustingly
great. He also illustrates part of Special Needs‘ motion picture mystery. If he was discovered by James and
brought to the project, then this filmmaker has a clear eye for flawless idiosyncratic talent. On the other
hand, if he’s merely a handicapped actor putting on a front, then James is a genius for creating such a
character, and P (real name, Keith Jones) is equally brilliant at bringing him to life. For this one element
alone, Special Needs deserves unlimited praise.
But there is more to what’s going on here than outlandish personalities and a sly spoof of reality TV. In
fact, it’s safe to say that this film really isn’t ‘about’ a potential series centering on the handicapped.
Instead, it’s about the individuals involved, from Piece’s high-strung hubris to Laura Wilcox’s self loathing
meanness. While the entire team behind Handicaps comes across as vain, angry, bitter and unlikable,
James takes his time and opens up each and every character. We learn enough about each one to care (if
only a little), and by the end we’re almost happy that the show appears to be a winner. And it’s not just the
players that get fleshed out. The story is solid with an amazing amount of social commentary and depth.
Scenes are densely packed with multilayered material and James manages to find meaning in even the
most scatological scene (as when the P.A.s lace the stars’ lattes with laxative).
Yet none of this touches on what really makes Special Needs shine – its brave sense of humor. Allowing the
handicapped actors onscreen to hold their own, to be both the brunt and providers of many of the jokes,
keeps the comedy fresh and honorable. Even when Killer P is hit with the N-word, his hilarious reactions
take the sting out of the sentiment. In fact, that’s this film’s major motion picture contribution. In recent
years, off balance disasters like The Ringer have tried to temper the mentally and physically challenged
with something akin to soiled saintliness. Sure, they’re crude and rude, but they also have a built-in
buttress against such standard human behavior that gives them a moralistic pass. Here, James simply
let’s them be people. They are not defined by their malady anymore than Piece is hindered by his closet
gayness, or as Laura is trapped in a shame cycle of body image issues.
This makes Special Needs a certified cinematic home run, an instant candidate for independent comedy of
the year, and another terrific title in Troma’s growing collection of outsider gems (the company will release
their DVD version sometime this year). Those expecting a mean-spirited marginalizing of the disabled will
be greatly disappointed, while others wanting the mindless purveyors of reality rot to really get theirs will
be doubled over in sidesplitting delight. That he managed to salvage something that could have been a
disaster is not Isaak James’ greatest accomplishment here. No, the real revelation is his ability to thwart
convention while carefully walking across all the formulaic necessities mandated to make a clever motion
picture. Along with proving yet again that mainstream moviemakers have completely forgotten how to
handle humor, Special Needs argues that the future of film lies somewhere beyond the fringe. Any cinephile
who visits there will be wonderfully rewarded.
FILM FIEND
Movie Review: Special Needs
Written by T. Rigney
Published April 02, 2007
If you're anything like me, you found that episode of Life Goes On where Corky burns down the family
restaurant to be one of the funniest television moments in the history of the human race. I know it was
supposed to be sad and depressing and gut-wrenching and blah blah blah, but I just couldn't help
myself. My sides split instantly, my bladder emptied into my skin-tight black biker shorts, and I rolled
around in my own sickly bodily fluids as I literally laughed myself into a stupor. I ultimately blame this
forgotten series for my inability to take handicapped people on television seriously. To this day,
whenever I witness Katie Couric delivering the nightly news all by herself, I lapse into violent fits of
girlish giggles.
This could explain why I'm currently in love with actor/singer/writer/director Isaak James and his
tastelessly hilarious mockumentary Special Needs, out on DVD this summer from Troma Entertainment.
To list all the reasons why I adore this film would require lots of spare time, several reams of highquality fax paper, and a giant green crayon the size of Mo'Nique's ultra-absorbent tampon. I will,
however, try my best to rein it all in without dipping my review in a tub of ass-waxing hyperbole. The
key word in that sentence is "try," so I apologize in advance if things get out of control. After all, there's
nothing quite like a comedy that delivers the goods in such an entertaining fashion.
Special Needs follows the exploits of veteran reality TV creator Warren Piece (James) and his quirky crew of overachieving producers
and slacker personal assistants. His latest creation, appropriately titled Handicaps, is on the fast track to becoming yet another hit on
the CNT network. Unfortunately for Warren, his time in the spotlight may be coming to a very abrupt end. Apparently his last
production cost the network millions of dollars, and they're not about to let that sort of thing happen again. To make matters worse,
the handicapped individuals who are showing up for the auditions aren't exactly choice cuts of meat, if you catch my drift. Can our
hero overcome Ex-lax lattes, disabled gangster rappers, and a plethora of untalented retards in order to keep his seat on the reality TV
throne?
To say that Special Needs is funny would be the understatement of the year. In fact, I had such a grand time with Isaak James'
directorial debut that I watched the damned thing again as soon as my initial viewing came to a close. This sort of thing usually
doesn't happen with low budget, low brow comedies, especially the ones distributed by the likes of Troma. I'm not saying that there's
anything wrong with Troma, mind you, but the type of films they generally release are good for a disposable laugh or two, nothing
more. Special Needs, on the other hand, just begs for multiple viewings, both sober and inebriated.
What saves the proceedings from becoming yet another deserted isle in the sea of tasteless cinema is Isaak James' intelligent script.
He's smart enough to know that a movie based solely on one handicapped joke after another simply won't fly in this day and age. Not
if he wants people to watch his movie, anyway. The material never treats its collection of "special individuals" cruelly, even when it
appears that James is openly mocking them. Warren and his crew are just as screwy and dysfunctional as those they mean to exploit,
which allows you to find the humor in their pursuit of handi-talent without feeling guilty about it. Another smart decision was to keep
the show itself off-screen; I doubt it could have lived up to expectations, anyway.
It also helps matters considerably that James has assembled a talented cast of virtual unknowns to populate his edgy comedy with.
Almost everyone involved does an outstanding job in the picture, though it's plain to see who the real star of the flick is. Isaak James
gives himself quite a bit of screen time, though it would be unfair to say he kept most of the good lines for himself. The guy's got talent
to spare, however, so it's nice that the film's strongest talent gets the majority of the laughs.
Having verbally spooged all over Special Needs, I'm sure you're wondering if there's anything wrong with the film, a little nugget of
negativity that may ruin your own viewing experience. A quick look at my notes reveals nothing in particular. Comedies are
exceptionally hard to review; what's funny to me may not be very humorous to you,
your mother, or your diabetic grandfather. Most of the jokes in this flick work, though
it would be a bold-faced lie to say that all of them pop off the screen and personally
tickle your ass with a feather. That said, the majority of the prescribed laughs are
functional, which is a very good indicator that you'll have a good time as well.
Will Special Needs fill that comedic void in your pathetic little existence? That all
depends on how you define "comedy." If a little humor at the expense of others is
something you aren't ashamed to laugh at, then the film will probably do the trick
quite nicely. It's smart, engaging, and deliriously enjoyable on a level I honestly didn't
expect. If nothing else, hardcore mockumentary fans will certainly have plenty to cheer
about. Though I'm sure I'll invoke the wrath of the good and gracious and glorious
Lloyd Kaufman by saying this, Special Needs is probably too good for the likes of
Troma. Way too good. Though it pains me to say it, most of the stuff that they release
is complete and utter trash. Isaak James' nifty feature-length debut, on the other
hand, is anything but.
I'm sure even Lloyd would concede to that.
Movie Review
Written by Colin Vettier
Published May 28, 2007
5.5 out of 6 Stars
Un nouveau jeune réalisateur de talent utilise le tremplin "Troma" pour prouver à la face du monde son
talent. Attention, ça décape très sévèrement.
Warren Piece, teinture blonde, maniéré et autosuffisant, est un producteur de diarrhée télévisuelle qui a le
vent en poupe. Les grosses pontes de la chaîne de télévision CNT lui font entièrement confiance tant ses
concepts d’émission de télé-réalité se sont montrés profitables. Qu’importe que le sujet soit dégradant pour
ses participants, l’audience adore cela.
C’est pour cette raison qu’il est entièrement confiant lorsqu’il présente à ses collaborateurs sa nouvelle idée
: "Handicaps". Dans une grande maison, quelques handicapés – moteurs et mentaux – devront vivre
ensembles pendant un certain temps. Le grand prix? Une solution ergothérapique au problème du gagnant
: un nouveau fauteuil roulant, une rééducation…
En coulisse, les producteurs déversent leur fiels sur les PA (Production Assistants : Assistants de
Production), et les tensions montent d’un cran. Quand le casting commence, les dés sont alors jetés. "Il est
très difficile de trouver un bon handicapé !" pestera à cette occasion l’un des membres de la dream team.
C’est par la porte du documentaire que Isaak James entre chez Troma. "Nous étions très excités quand
Troma s’est montré intéressé par Special Needs" explique le réalisateur, "nous leur avons envoyé le film, et
Lloyd nous a contacté dans les jours suivants, nous disant qu’il l’avait adoré. Ce fut un soulagement, après
toutes les portes que les compagnies plus frileuses ont pu nous claquer au nez."
Il fallait effectivement un distributeur impertinent, capable de s’asseoir joyeusement sur le politiquement
correct. Qui mieux que Lloyd Kaufman et sa bande de joyeux "tromatisés" auraient pu remplir ce rôle ? La
firme New-yorkaise avait déjà sauté le pas en distribuant l’année précédente, "Lollilove", un docu-fiction
acide, tournant en dérision cette bourgeoisie qui se lance dans des actions caritatives pour faire bonne
figure. A la comparaison, il apparaît que "Lollilove" a bénéficié d’une (relativement) meilleure production.
Special Needs a su équilibrer son manque de moyen en jouant la carte du documentaire (très) dépouillé.
Le nombre de protagonistes comme celui des lieux, est réduit au strict nécessaire (l’action se passe en très
grande partie dans une simple salle de conférence). De même, le métrage ne traîne pas en longueur et fait
le tour de son sujet en quelques 70 minutes. Une durée qui, si elle peut paraître un peu courte, est en fait
un compromis entre densité et profondeur.
Avec ses deux bouts de ficelles, et quelques acteurs très inspirés,
Isaak James a donc construit un documentaire d’une rare
impertinence. Le petit monde de la real-tv en prend largement pour
son grade. Pourtant la gratuité n’est pas de mise, puisque James
Isaak explique qu’il a commencé à "écrire Special Needs après être
apparu dans une émission de télé réalité. Cela m’a donné un aperçu
de comment les chose se déroulaient dans l’envers du décor."
Il y a de quoi avoir peur, car en découle des protagonistes qui ne
sont que de sinistres opportunistes, prêts à tirer parti de la moindre
idée sordide qui leur tomberait sous la dent. Ici il n’est pas question
d’humanité ou de décence, mais de profit, de défit et de célébrité.
Quoi de plus amoral que d’utiliser le handicap de certaine
personne à des fins télévisuelles ? Si le concept est répugnant, il
soulève une flippée de questions annexes au rang desquelles :
"quelle genre de société engendre des personnes prêtes à exhiber
leurs faiblesses à la télévision ?". C’est encore et toujours cette
problématique renvoyant dos-à-dos résidu de morale et plaisir
voyeur. La recherche d’une reconnaissance à tout prix, voilà le
leitmotiv de tous ces individus dont les référents se sont depuis
trop longtemps dissous.
"Special Needs s’intéresse autant à la télé réalité que la Ferme des Animaux de George Orwell s’intéresse
aux cochons parlant. C’est une satire sociale servie dans une solide carapace de sucrerie […]." Autrement
dit, le métrage d’Isaak James est une critique de la société, déguisée en divertissement.
Qu’il s’agisse d’handicapés, de faux riches célibataires ou de chanteur en devenir, le concept demeure le
même : touiller le caca de la société avec la grande cuillère télévisée. Comme l’a si bien dit monsieur Lelay,
le but ultime de cette mascarade n’est autre que de "vendre des minutes de cerveau disponible à coca-cola
®". A vos marques ! Prêt à la lobotomie ? Consommez !
Le concept de télé réalité mettant en jeu des handicapés est un parti pris très rusé de la part du réalisateur
américain. Cela renvoie le spectateur face à sa propre idiotie. Sombrant dans le misérabilisme à outrance,
"Handicaps" devrait être pour le "télévore", la limite du supportable, la goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le
vase.
Voir ces pauvres êtres s’humilier et se faire humilier donne
sérieusement à réfléchir. C’est là que toute l’intelligence de la
réalisation intervient. Le traitement apporté au sujet est tellement
grinçant, qu’au final les plus ridicules sont bien les producteurs.
L’équipe est dépeinte comme une tripotée d’égoïstes auto
satisfaits, dont la principale aptitude est de passer pour des buses
à la moindre occasion. Aucun d’entre eux ne peut résister au
besoin de répondre à certains clichés. Leur agent, accent de
Brooklyn à couper au couteau, répète à qui veut l’entendre que
pour réussir, il n’y a qu’une seule solution : "Dye you fuckin’ hai’
blond !" (Teins tes putains de cheveux en blond !)
Dans le même temps, les assistants de production sont traités comme de vulgaires esclaves. Ceux qui
veulent garder leur intégrité, sont constamment rabaissés.
Le monde des émissions de télé réalité est un vrai panier de crabe, Warren Piece et ses acolytes ne font que
le confirmer avec perte et fracas. La perte viendra de l’annihilation de votre rate et votre zygomatique, et le
fracas sera le déchirement que provoquera votre rire.
Special Needs dresse donc un triste panorama de l’univers audiovisuel actuel. Visionnaire ? Certainement,
puisque bien après avoir achevé son film, Isaak et son équipe découvraient qu’une véritable émission de
télé réalité dont les participants seraient des handicapés physiques, était prévue aux Pays-Bas. La télé
réalité n’a ainsi plus rien à envier aux jeux qui permettaient à Rome d’endormir son peuple pour en faire
une masse de citoyens serviles. La forme a changé, le fond reste le même.
Si, à la vision de Special Needs, le spectateur rit, il grince aussi des dents. La tête entre les mains, un
léger espace entre deux doigts pour entrapercevoir le téléviseur : "ils ont osé !" Oser, voilà un mot qui a trop
tendance à se faire oublier du lexique cinématographique.
Pour un premier méfait, Isaak James s’est donc attaqué à un sacrément gros poisson. Ce n’est pas
l’absence de budget qui fera casser sa ligne. Au contraire, le propos n’en est que plus viscéral, et tant pis
s’il est obligé d’écrire, réaliser, produire, composer, monter et jouer. Comme le dit l’adage célèbre dans le
domaine du cinéma indépendant : on n’est jamais mieux servi que par soi-même.
Quoiqu’il en soit, avoir le culot de faire un pamphlet aussi corsé, cela mérite respect et reconnaissance. De
fait, Special Needs a été "sélection officielle" de deux festivals américains, voilà une estime amplement
méritée.
Movie Review
(translated to English)
Written by Colin Vettier
Published May 28, 2007
5.5 out of 6 Stars
A talented young director uses “Troma Entertainment” as a springboard to
prove his talents to the the world. Caution, this film can sting a bit.
Warren Piece, with his dyed blond hair and affected speech is a self made
purveyor of televised excrement. Piece is trusted implicitly by Big Wigs at
CNT network, provided his Reality TV concepts remain lucrative. So what if
he degrades participants, the audience loves it!
For that reason, Piece is supremely confident when he presents his latest
idea to his cohorts, “Handicaps.” Several physically & mentally
handicapped contestants will live in a house together for a prescribed
amount of time. The grand prize? New wheelchairs, seeing eye dogs etc.
Behind the scenes the producers vent their bitterness on the PA’s
(Production Assistants) and tensions escalate. The dice are rolled as the casting process begins. “Good handicaps are
hard to find,” complains one of the dream team members.
Isaak James uses the mockumentary genre to make his entrance into the world of Troma. "We were thrilled when
Troma took an interest in “Special Needs,” explains the director, “We sent the film in and Lloyd got back to us within a
few days saying he loved it. It was refreshing after the numerous wrist slappings we received from less daring
distributors.”
It was essential to have a bold distributor, capable of thumbing its nose at what is considered “politically correct.” Who
better than Lloyd Kaufman and his merry band of “tromatized” to fill these shoes? The New York based firm had
already made a great leap the previous year by distributing “Lollilove,” an acidic mockumentarry lampooning a
bourgeoisie couple that becomes involved with charitable actions solely to make themselves look good.
In comparison, it appears that “Lollilove” benefited from a relatively larger production budget, however, Special Needs
circumvents the pitfalls of a budgetary restraints by playing the no frills mockumentary card. The number of
characters and locations is stripped down to the bare essentials. (Most of the action takes place in a simple conference
room) Likewise, the footage does not drag in length and does the tour of its subject in a mere 86 minutes. This duration
may appear a bit short, however, it is in fact a compromise between density and in depth.
With two pieces of string and several inspired actors, Isaak James has
constructed a film of rare impertinence. James, who appeared on a realty
TV show himself, doesn't pull any punches in his depiction of the
television genre. He explains that his experience, gave him an insight into
how things work behind the scenes.
The protagonists in this film are enough to frighten anyone. They are
sinister opportunists eager to sink their teeth into the next sordid idea. In
their world it’s not about humanity nor decency, it’s about profit and
celebrity.
Though the concept of televising a person’s disability to boost ratings is
amoral and repulsive it raises the following question: “What kind of
society engenders people ready to exhibit their weaknesses on television?”
We are continually confronted with this problematic juxtaposition of morality and
voyeuristic thrill. All of the characters in this film, however, have lost any kind of
moral judgement for too long on their quest for fame and fortune.
“Special Needs” is as much about reality TV as Orwell's "Animal Farm" is about
talking pigs. It’s a social satire served up in a hard candy shell.” In other words,
Isaak James’ feature is a criticism of society disguised as entertainment. Whether
it’s about handicaps, superficial celebrities or aspiring pop stars the concept
remains the same: serve up a company’s shit with a gigantic televised spoon. Just
as Mr. Lelay (CEO of France’s Channel 1) said so well, the ultimate goal of this
masquerade is “to sell minutes of available brain time to Coca-Cola.” On your
marks! Get brainwashed! Consume!
The concept of utilizing the handicapped is a very sly move on the part of the American director. This forces the
spectator to come face to face with his/her own idiocy. For the “télévore” (télévore means “tv eater” in the way one
would watch anything as soon as it’s on tv) “Handicaps” should be the hair that broke the camel’s back. To watch these
poor human beings humiliated and allow themselves to be humiliated could cast an audience into the throws of
miserable, intellectual reflection. However, this is where the intelligence of film intervenes. The dark subject matter is
offset by the ridiculous antics of the producers, portrayed as self centered, egotistical stereo types. Looking like clowns
on any occasion, none of them can resist to fit in some clichés. Phillis, for example represents the typical talent agent,
complete with thick Brooklyn accent. She continually repeats her secret to success in t he entertainment industry:
“Dye your fuckin’ hair blond.” At the same time the production assistants are treated as sub-human slaves, who
comment on the tyranny of their employers yet participate in their malevolent activities all the same.
Special Needs depicts a sad panorama of the audiovisual-visual universe. Visionary? Certainly, since well after he had
completed his film, Isaak and his team discovered that a real television program featuring the physically handicapped
was airing in the Netherlands.
Reality TV no longer has to envy the savage games that allowed Rome to subdue its people and transform them into a
mass of subservient citizen’s. The shape has changed but the method remains the same.
The world of real tv is one where people are always at each others throat,
Warren Piece and his associates are here to confirm it with losses and
noises. The loss will come from the annihilation of your spleen and
zygomatic, while the noise will be the crack of your laugh. (The film will
cause you to laugh even though the subject matter is sad)
If a spectator laughs while watching Special Needs, he also clenches his
teeth. He covers his face with his hands leaving only a slight space
between his fingers to catch a glimpse of the screen. “They dared!” to
dare, a word all too often omitted from the lexicon of modern filmmaking.
Isaak James went after a big fish, but his absence of a budget did not
break his line. On the contrary the topic is only more deep rooted. So
what if he is obliged to write, direct, produce, compose and act? As the
adage goes in the world of independent cinema: One is never better served then by oneself.
In conclusion, to have the audacity to produce a film so controversial demands respect and recognition. Indeed, Special
Needs has been an official selection of three Film festivals, an esteem justly deserved.
MICROCINEMA SCENE
Movie Review: Special Needs
Written by Louis Fowler
Published May 01, 2007
Since it’s rise to glory, the whole sub-genre of reality television has become fodder for
countless, witless, utterly forgettable comedies (EdTV, anyone?) that try to pull doubleduty, both as a timely yuk-fest and as a subtle commentary on the instant celebrity
culture in America. At least that’s how they try to explain themselves.
But in the end, what it comes down to is that these films are not funny in the slightest.
They’re tired, overwrought pieces of tripe designed to make a quick buck on the latest
fad. Nothing more, nothing less.
With the exception of Special Needs, which I fully consider to be the first, honestly funny take on the reality
TV phenomenon, if only for the fact that there’s no artificial heart or displaced saccharine anywhere to be
found. Special Needs sets out to be funny, period, and succeeds on any level. Where’s a Nielsen family
when you need them?
Television producer Warren Piece is TV’s flamboyant wunderkind and he’s just pitched his latest idea to the
network execs: a reality show starring the handicapped, both mentally and physically, all put in a house
and given all sorts of tasks and obstacles and whatnot. It’s a description that’s about as low brow as you
can get, but what director Isaak James has done has made the actual handicapped actors part of the
background, and really not even part of the joke. If anything, the handicapped actors are the most normal
people in the movie. The laughs all come from the increasingly crazed Piece and his bullying team of
sycophantic assistants, who seem to have little to no grasp on the real world, therefore anytime they have
contact with it the scene is rife with waves of hilarity.
It was an incredibly smart move for Isaak—sure, to laugh at the disabled would have been the easiest way
to achieve a few giggles, but by focusing on this trio and their own psychoses, Special Needs becomes a
beast all it’s own, and a real comedy classic. It’s relevant, it’s smart, it’s snarky, but best of all, it’s fucking
hilarious.
Just bring your own helmet.
SPECIAL NEEDS IS ACQUIRED
BY LLOYD KAUFMAN AT TROMA
ENTERTAINMENT
THE MISFITS HAVE FOUND A HOME AT TROMA!
New York, New York. – February 14th, 2007 -- After several
months of hard work and persistence, the producers of “Special
Needs” (Isaak James, Michael Kricfalusi & Eva James) have
signed a distribution deal with the legendary Lloyd Kaufman
and Troma Entertainment.
In this low budget feature, starring Isaak James, Funda Duval,
Sabina Maschi and Joe Masi, a megalomaniac producer and his
bully sidekicks embark on the production of a reality TV show
exploiting people with disabilities. “It’s amazing how ahead of
ourselves we were with this film. In fact, a ‘real’ reality show
entitled “Love At Second Site” involving physically deformed
contestants is scheduled to air in the Netherlands in February
of 2007!” says Isaak James (director of Special Needs) “Not unlike the freak shows of the old west, reality
TV, through it’s boundless ability to exploit, has unwittingly provided a platform for a group of generally
balkanized individuals.”
"We were thrilled when Troma (being a true champion of the independent film) took an interest in “Special
Needs.” We searched extensively for a company that could understand the film and market it correctly. We
sent it into Troma and Lloyd got back to us within a few days saying he loved it. It was refreshing after the
numerous wrist slappings we received from less daring distributors.”
Though Troma is perhaps best known for the 80's classic "The Toxic Avenger" and many horror genre films,
the company prides itself on distributing, ‘films of the future.’ Troma Entertainment has been a haven for
original and uncompromising filmmakers, writers and actors for over 30 years. Alumni include: Matt Stone,
Trey Parker, James Gunn, Billy Bob Thorton, Kevin Costner and Samuel Jackson.
Troma is currently in the process of creating and packaging the DVD for Domestic and International sales
with an expected release date of Fall 2007.
Special Needs to be
featured at the Global Arts
Film Festival (GAFFERS) in
Sacremento, CA.
New York, NY – May 16th, 2007 -- We are pleased to announce that Special Needs will be featured
at the GAFFERS International Film Festival in Sacramento, CA. The film will be played on June 2nd at
1PM. Please visit: www.gaffers.org for more information.
Special Needs to make U.S.
Premiere at Westwood
International Film Festival
in Los Angeles.
New York, NY – September 15th, 2006 -- We are pleased to announce that Special Needs will be
making its U.S. premiere at the Westwood International Film Festival in Los Angeles. Special Needs
was one of 12 narrative features selected to appear at the festival. The film will be showcased along
side Andy Dick's Danny Roane: 1st Time Director and D.B. Sweeney's Dirt Nap. Special Needs will
screen October 6th at midnight.
SPECIAL NEEDS TO
PREMIERE AT CALGARY
FILM FESTIVAL, CANADA
New York, July 26, 2006 -- We are pleased to announce that “Special Needs” is an official selection of the
Calgary Fringe Film Festival. “Special Needs” is one of 10 feature films that will be showcased at the
festival. It will be featured alongside “Unbeatable Harold” starring Dylan McDermott and Henry Winkler
and “Tripping Forward.” (both award winning features at several major festivals)
Special needs will be screened two times during the course of the festival: August 13th at 1PM in the
category of “Bad People” and August 18th at 10PM in the category of “Politically Incorrect.” For more
information about the Calgary Fringe Film Festival please visit:
http://www.calgaryfringe.ca/
SYNOPSIS
Reality TV hits a new low in Isaak James' outrageously offensive mockumentary
Special Needs! Flamboyant producer Warren Piece and his bullying production
crew are on a quest to produce "Handicaps", a startling new reality show about
the physically and mentally disabled.
Crossing every line of political correctness, Warren and his cronies pull together
the wildest cast of handicapables ever assembled, including a break dancing
Schizophrenic, a wheelchair-bound pop singer, a foul-mouthed midget and a
paraplegic gangsta!
But, as the show’s budget skyrockets and the crew’s own moral misgivings come
into play, Warren soon finds his vision may be in need of some Special care.
An official selection of the Westwood International Film Festival and The Calgary International Fringe Film
Festival, Special Needs is a painfully funny media satire that will keep you laughing in spite of yourself!
DIRECTOR'S NOTE
I started writing "Special Needs" after appearing on a reality TV show.
During the process I gained an insight into how things worked and
thought that a film centered around reality TV would serve as the
perfect vehicle to make a social comment.
“Special Needs” is as much about reality TV as Orwell's "Animal
Farm" is about talking pigs. It’s a social satire served up in a hard
candy shell for all to enjoy (and hopefully digest.)
BIOGRAPHIES
ISAAK JAMES (Writer, Director, Producer, Warren Piece) Singer, writer, actor,
songwriter and director. A product of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, he's
worked on several short and feature films with award winning directors and talented
artists alike. He has also appeared as a singer and actor on several nationally broadcast
TV programs including NBC's "Gimme' The Mike" and Soapnet's "I Wanna Be A Soap
Star." James has been a fixture of NYC's music scene for the last five years as best
illustrated by his seasons-long running singing act at the prestigious Madison Hotel. The feature film
"Special Needs" is James' directorial debut and will be released through Lloyd Kaufman and Troma
Entertainment in summer of 2007.
Eva James (Laura, Producer) started learning about film and television production in
middle school when she became involved with local access TV on Cape Cod. James is
currently living in New York City working to earn her BA in English Literature at
Marymount Manhattan College. She is also pursuing her ambition to be an actress, taking
roles in several independent films.
Michael C. Kricfalusi (David, Producer): Films completed in the past year include featured roles
in "Down in The Mouth", "Michael & Me" and "Chapter 23: The Long Goodbye". Kricfalusi is
currently shooting the starring role in a feature length drama called "A Piece of the Pie" and soon
to film a principal role in the new indie film "Liars & Lunatics". In addition to acting, Kricfalusi is
casting director and First A.D. for the film "Liars & Lunatics".
Jared Morgenstern (Richie): Jared Morgenstern: Jared is a graduate of the American
Academy of Dramatic Arts (2005).
Since then he worked in plays such
as "Savage/Love" at the Big Little Theatre's Sam Sheppard Festival, "Hallelujah Illinois"
at the Manhattan Repertory Theatre, "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Milagro Theatre,
"Scenes From an American Life" directed by Mr. Johnathan Bolt, and others. His film and tv credits
include the short film "Cupid Got Lazy", "Hair Trauma", and the feature length "Special Needs." He would
like to thank his family and friends for there continued support, and Mr. Issak James for a fantastic
experience.
Randall Middleton (Josh): Originally from Saint Louis, Randall has made New York his home
the last few years. Recent stage credits include Oronte in the world premiere of Le
Lycanthrope, Susan, in last years fringe smash The Banger's Flopera with Inverse Theatre
Company, and Hank, in Kylse Jarrow's Space Karaoke with Red Metal Mailbox Theatre.
Randall has also appeared as a regular player in the long running improv experiment Present
Elevation. This fall Randall will be premiering an as yet untitled piece with Present Elevation
and willl be playing the King of France in a new and improve production of Le Lycanthrope at
the Kraine Theatre in NYC's East Village.
Sabina Maschi (Natalie) “Special Needs” marks Sabina’s principal debut in a feature film. Her
theatre credits include “Duke” in Sex On Trial, “Barbara” in “Lou Gherig Did Not Die Of Cancer”,
“Martha” in “The Children’s Hour”, “Lisa” in “The Girl on the Via Flaminia”, “Miranda” in The
Tempest”, as well as “Guys and Dolls” and “Little Shop Of Horrors”.
Brian Whisenant (Ken) Most recently, Brian has been seen as a very concerned juror on NBC’s
CONVICTION, a praying Jewish boy on LAW AND ORDER, and Hart Crane in the rarely
produced STEPS MUST BE GENTLE by Tennessee Williams. Other projects include the yet to be
released films: THE DATE FROM HELL and HEARSAY
TIM NUTTALL (Director Of Photography) Tim Nuttall graduated from New York University in
2004 with a concentration in cinematography. His experience involves both fictional and
commercial work, including Emmy-winner Marian Marzynski's newest PBS documentary,
television commercials and several narrative features, and dozens of short films. He also
teaches film production at the New York Film Academy.
CREDITS
Isaak James......Writer/Director/Producer/Composer
Michael C. Kricfalusi......Producer
Eva James......Producer
CAST
(Alphabetical order)
Amir Levi......Sam, contestant with Tourettes Syndrome
Antonine Etienne......Secretary
Aran Bertetto......Charles, paralyzed fashion designer
Arthur J. Forte......Open Call Auditioner
Ashlee Gaughan......Office Worker
Barbara Ricci….Phyllis, Ex-talent manager
Brian Whisenant......Ken, ass kissing Production Assistant
Cheyenne Quinn...…Acting Class Student
Colleen Crawford….Cindy, Bob’s girlfriend
Daniel Gonzalez...…Photographer
David Chullanandana...…Charles’ Body Guard
Deshon Porter......Big D., Blind contestant
Drew Pagliari..…Auditioner
Dustin Patterson......Open Call Auditioner in wheelchair
Edna De Jesus…..Marysol, Warren’s maid
Eva James......Laura Wilcox, psychotic casting director & ex movie star
Funda Duval......Rita Spellman, CNT Network Head
Harvey Silikovitz......Ron, small auditioner
Irena Milos…..Bar Patron
Isaac Santiago......Blind open call auditioner
Isaak James......Warren Piece, megalomaniac Reality TV Producer
Janelle Bernard......Laura's Friend at Bar
Jared Morgenstern......Richie Goldman, Chief Network Executive, CNT
Jared Staber......Acting Student
Jennifer Sandella...…Acting Class Student
Jimmy Blackman......Seizure man
Joe Fulton......Open Call Auditioner
Joe Komara......Corky, auditioner pretending to be retarded
Joe Masi......Bob, auditioner pretending to be a schizophrenic
Joel Bruno......Randy, alchoholic/schizophrenic
John Ryan Sosa...…Developmentally Disabled Autitioner
Jonette Raus......Bar Patron
Jousha Akova..…Acting Class Student
Juansito Pina......Jon, Deaf Contestant
Kathleen Friel......Annie, Contestant with Cerebral Palsey
Keith Jones......Killer P., rapper with Cerebral Palsey
Larry Goldstein......Singing Auditioner
Lionel Simplice......Open Call Auditioner with some sort of Palsey
Maury Fogel......Open Call Auditioner
Michael C. Kricfalusi......David Smith, Warren’s strong man
Michael Cotayo......Open Call Auditioner
Miguel Suero...…Acting Class Student
Nimo Gandhi….Disabled Indian Audtioner
Noelle Reifel…..Bar Patron
Randall Middleton......Josh, Smart ass Production Assistant
Ron Ward.....Waiter
Sabina Maschi......Natalie, would be actress Production Assistant
Sean Allison......Joe, errant dwarf
Shannon DeVido......Sunday, Singing contestant in wheelchair
Stelth Bomber......Joe, Killer P’s Gun Toting friend
Stephanie Masucci......Laura's Friend at Bar
Steve Arons......Sandy, Randy’s insane brother
CREW
Isaak James......Editor, Graphics
Tim Nuttall......Director Of Photography
Rafael Cruz......Sound
Rafael Cruz.....Still Photography
John Ryan Sosa......Assistant Production Manager
Jared Staber......Production Assistant
Jousha Akova......Production Assistant
Eva James......Assistant Editor
Jonathan Essa......Consulting Editor