LONG BEACH ISLAND – The opening night of the 13th Annual Lighthouse International Film Festival will feature the film “Swan Song.” It will be shown in person for four days, beginning June 3.
Swan Song is a comedic drama that follows retired hairdresser Pat Pitsenbarger who has given up on life from the confines of his small-town Sandusky, Ohio nursing home. But when Pat gets word that a former client’s dying wish was for him to style her final hairdo, he sets out on an epic journey across the midwest town to confront the ghosts of his past – and collect the beauty supplies necessary for the job. “Swan Song” is a comical and bittersweet journey about rediscovering oneself, and looking gorgeous while doing so.
New York-based director and screenwriter Todd Stephens created and produced Swan Song along with Eric Eisenbrey, Tim Kaltenecker, and Stephen Israel. The film stars Udo Kier (My Own Private Idaho, Melancholia, Grindhouse), Linda Evans (Dynasty), Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie, Legally Blonde), Michael Urie, Ira Hawkins and Stephanie McVay.
Be the first to see the film at the Lighthouse International Film Festival, with the film set to release in cinemas on August 6 by Magnolia Pictures.
“I am honored to have my film chosen as the Opening Night selection for the fabulous Lighthouse Film Festival,” Todd Stephens said. “For me, Swan Song is about rediscovering the joys of life, and I think this is the perfect occasion to laugh, cry, and dance together once again. It’s been so long since we’ve all been together, and Lighthouse is beaming the way.”
“We couldn’t be more proud of our opening night film, ‘Swan Song,’” Amir Bogen, Executive Director of the Lighthouse International Film Festival said. “10 years ago, this bittersweet, intimate, and magnetizing drama would probably have been labeled as an LGBTQ film, for LGBTQ film festivals and an LGBTQ audience. But when you drop all the prejudice, the tendency to mark and tag and flag everything, you can clearly see the film for what it is: a celebration of humanity, full of kindness, openness, honesty, lightheartedness, humor, and optimism. After such a dark year, we at Lighthouse International Film Festival are ready to show our audience the light once again, in all shades and colors – so many of which are in Todd Stephens’ drama. And while it’s ironic to open a festival with a movie called Swan Song, we promise it’s only the beginning of an amazing live event with an exciting lineup of films, guests, and meetups.”
For more information, visit lighthousefilmfestival.org.
