Thorne and Kilmer to Star in Strike-Defying Drama 'The Tower'
Actors Bella Thorne, known for her role in "Divinity", and Jack Kilmer who starred in "Palo Alto", have been announced to lead the cast of "The Tower". The film is noted as one of only 102 projects to have been greenlit a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement after the onset of the actors strike. Joining this cast are Cam Gigandet of "Violent Night" and Chris Mullinax from "Chariot" for the fantastical drama helmed by filmmaker Adam Sigal, of "Nandor Fodor and The Talking Mongoose" fame.
"The Tower" portrays a dark story centered around a mysterious mermaid who was ensnared and forgotten for years in a water tower of a small southern town. The tale is director Sigal's interpretation of the isolated and restless feelings he experienced growing up in a similar setting. This film began shooting shortly before the initiation of the SAG-AFTRA strike and had paused production until achieving a SAG waiver.
The producer line-up for the movie includes B.I. Rosen, Frederic Demey, James Bruce, Johnny Remo, Clare Bateman-King and Joey Stanton. Serving as executive producers are Dani Druz, Sasha Yelaun, Dane and Liz Fiori, Johnny Graham, David Lipper, Robert A. Daly Jr, Tim Marlowe and Phil Goldfine.
Sigal expressed his concern for the people affected by the dual SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Despite this, he explained his gratitude towards SAG for continuing support towards independent film and his plan to join the strike demonstrations after wrapping “The Tower”.
Bella Thorne, who gained popularity through Disney Channel’s "Shake It Up", recently made her debut as a director with "Paint Her Red" and has several upcoming feature projects. Jack Kilmer is an indie filmmaker's favorite, famously known for his roles in drama "Palo Alto", "Lords of Chaos" and the documentary "Val".
Sigal is preparing for the release of his fourth feature "Nandor Fodor and The Talking Mongoose", which stars Simon Pegg and set to premiere on September 1.
Now, as someone who's seen the industry go through ups, downs and unexpected turns, one can only sympathize with the crew working amid strikes. It's like trying to perfect a pirouette while the floor is made of melting ice - brave, but messy. If this were a reality show, I'd be on my second bowl of popcorn by now.
Bella Throne and Jack Kilmer braving the storm - top marks for tenacity. Yet apart from the political dimension, it's the story of "The Tower" that raises my thespian eyebrow. A forgotten mermaid in a Southern town's water tower? Sounds like the love child of 'Splash' and 'Gone with the Wind'.
Adam Sigal, the man helming this odd aquatic tale, hails from the South too. Now, I do think there's a charming southern potential for magic realism and surrealism, think "Big Fish", if you've seen that whimsical gem. But then, this is the same guy who gave us a talking mongoose in his last project. So, fish-out-of-water tale or not, we can't say we weren't warned.
As for Bella Thorne, she's a Disney girl turned director who now decides to swim with mermaids. Sounds like a lot on her plate, but then again she handled the transition from child star to adult phenom with grace. As for Kilmer, indie's it-boy is basically Hollywood royalty with the kind of credits that would make any serious actor green.
All things considered, it's not every day we get a fairy tale about Southern mermaids trapped in a tower, crafted by people willing to picket for their rights straight off the set. This alone makes "The Tower” one to watch. And here's hoping that the mermaid, just like the striking workers and perhaps the industry itself, will eventually find her freedom.
