Synopsis
Ruby is a dancer; Johnny plays violin. Both of them have a dream: enter one of the most prestigious schools of performing arts in New York! Together they will fight, fall, rise again and give life to the most exciting performances ever seen on the big screen! HIGH STRUNG is elevated by standout supporting performances from veteran actors Jane Seymour, Paul Freeman and Maia Morgenstern and features an original soundtrack of boundary-breaking commercial tracks blending styles of music in a way that already has the dance industry and social media talking. The film's original take on familiar musical genres sets it apart from prior dance franchises: Step Up and Street Dance. It's brought to viewers by Broadway stars Michael and Janeen Damian and top choreographer Dave Scott (Step Up 3D; Stomp the Yard; resident choreographer on So You Think You Can Dance; guest choreographer on Dancing with the Stars) and introduces the breathtakingly talented Keenan Kampa (Russia's Mariinsky Ballet's first American dancer) and Nicholas Galitzine (The Beat Beneath My Feet) alongside 62 of some of the World's most exciting and original dancers from London, Paris, L.A. and New York.
Sections & Films
NEW YORK ACADEMY (HIGH STRUNG)
| Original Title | New York Academy |
| Category | Out of competition |
| Section | Premiere |
| Tipology | Feature Film |
| Duration | 96' |
| Production Year | 2016 |
| Nationality | Romania, USA |
| Directed by | Michael Damian |
| Screenplay | Janeen Damian, Michael Damian |
| Director of photography | Viorel Sergovici |
| Editor | Michael Damian, Janeen Damian, Peter Cabadahagen, Byron Speight |
| Production Design | Mihai Dorobantu |
| Music | Nathan Lanier |
| Main cast |
Keenan Kampa (Ruby) Nicholas Galitzine (Johnny) Sonoya Mizuno (Jazzy) Jane Seymoure (Oksana) Richard Southgate (Kyle) Paul Freeman (Kramrovsky) |
| Produced by | Janeen Damian, Michael Damian |
Michael Damian
Damian has had a prolific career as an actor and he is well known for his interpretation in the role of Danny Romalotti in the television series THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS. ON stage Damian played Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, winning a Grammy nomination. Damian has released five albums. Among his hits there is the single "Rock On," which earned him gold records worldwide. Damian has also written and produced soundtracks for FLICKA 2, FLICKA, MARLEY & ME 2 - THE TERRIBLE AND CHRISTMAS CASTELBURY HALL. He has also worked as a screenwriter and film director. Among his films: A PRINCESS FOR CHRISTMAS, FLICKA 2, MARLEY& ME 2, MOONDANCE ALEXANDER e FLICKA (also presented at the Giffoni Film Festival).
Director's statement
“Janeen [wife of the director and screenwriter of the film] is a dancer, and I am a musician… so we wanted to make a film celebrating those two worlds that mean so much to us. HIGH STRUNG is inspired by Janeen’s experience when she was awarded a scholarship to Balanchine’s School of American Ballet in New York. So it’s basically her story, her adventures, and what it was like for her moving to NY from a small town; like we have Ruby, our lead character in the film, coming from the Midwest. […] The fact that our parents introduced us to the arts when we were so young made a big impact on who we became as adults”.
production
Riviera Films Production
(USA)
www.rivierafilms.com
italian distribution
festival contact
Eagle Pictures
(Italy)
www.eaglepictures.com
- screening h. 7:30 PM (Original version with Italian subtitles) - Screening for Generator +13 and +16 jurors only (reservation is required)
- screening h. 10:00 PM repeat screening with free access - Online reservation is required from July 14* on www.giffoni.mytickets.it
*PREMIERE/SPECIAL EVENT click on the link www.giffoni.mytickets.it to book online. Write your name, surname and e-mail you will receive a mail, by clicking on the link you will find in your mail your registration will be validated (you have 48h to validate it. If you don't do it the system will delete it automatically).
If you have already created an account you don’t need a new one. If you don’t remember your password you can reset it directly from the website.
If you access the site again with your personal information you can choose the event you want to book, maximum 2. You may printyour reservation immediately by clicking on the button or go back to it later, access you personal area and print it.
Your printed reservation (make sure the bar code is clear) must be shown at the ticket office of the Citadel of Cinema in order to collect your admission ticket (not later than 20 minutes prior to the event otherwise tickets will be deleted and will be made available for other spectators).
The Box Office opens from July 14.
For all the Premieres and Special Events a rush line will be arranged. Admission will be allowed subject to available seats.