4EST FILMS — PRESS KIT
Independent Film Production · Est. 2015
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HIS NAME IS MICHAEL (Coming Late 2026)
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A supernatural Western musical set in Virginia City, Nevada, and filmed entirely in South Dakota.

LOGLINE
  The only priest in Nevada battles demons and outlaws for the soul of a boy with no name.

STRUCTURE
  1897 — An orphanage in Virginia City. Sunday evening. Sister Maria gathers the orphans in her care, and the groundskeeper takes his place at the old piano.
  1867 — Virginia City, Nevada. The story she tells.

PREMISE
  Loosely based on Father Patrick Manogue — the only priest in the state of Nevada, who earned a reputation as “Wyatt Earp with a collar.” Feared by disreputable men, loved by everyone he helped.

CREDITS
  Written by: Jeromy Darling
  Directed by: Joseph Bezenek
  Produced by: Keely Kemp
  Father Manogue: Jeromy Darling
  The Boy: Wyatt Darling
  The King of Virginia City: Joseph Bezenek
  Director of Photography: Aaron Berger
  Edited by: Aaron Berger
  Sound Mixer: Zak Rivers
  Original Music by: Jeromy Darling & Kurt Larson
  Original Score by: Justuce Johnson
  Behind-the-Scenes Photography: Ryan McBoyle


STRUNG (2019) — Short film
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LOGLINE
  Lost in the forest of his own mind, Eric must rely on the survival skills of an enigmatic nine-year-old boy to help him battle vicious withdrawals and self-deprivation to catalyze change within his family’s cycle of addiction.

AWARDS — 12 across 8 festivals
  Best in Fest — Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival
  Best First-Time Director — Top Shorts Film Festival
  Best First-Time Director — Los Angeles Film Awards
  Best Healing/Recovery Film — Believe Psychology Film Festival
  Best Child Actor — Actors Awards Los Angeles
  Best Supporting Actor — Actors Awards Los Angeles
  Full list: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10458322/awards/

CREDITS
Directed by
  Joseph Bezenek
Co-directed by
  Ryan H. Reid
Written by
  Wenonah Wilms
  Jeromy Darling
  Joseph Bezenek
Produced by
  Joseph Bezenek
  Alexander C. Shields
  Molly Worre
  Ryan H. Reid
Cast
  Jeromy Darling — Eric
  Wyatt Darling — Wilder
Crew
  Director of Photography: Geoff George
  Assistant Director: Molly Worre
  Art Department: Rob Walstead
  Steadicam Operator: Travis Higgins
  Behind-the-Scenes Photography: Forrest Wasko


THE COMPANY
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Jeromy Darling — Writer · Actor · Songwriter
  Actor, songwriter, poet, playwright — and above all a father of four. Raised in a trailer park in Ames, Iowa, too young to understand poverty but old enough to understand love. Ten albums and EPs. He conceived Strung from his own years of service, and wrote His Name is Michael.
  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7757481/

Joseph Bezenek — Founder · Director
  Joseph Bezenek is an award-winning filmmaker whose work is rooted in collaboration, conviction, and emotionally ambitious storytelling. He founded 4est Films in 2015 and made his directorial debut with Strung, which earned twelve awards across eight festivals, including two Best First-Time Director honors. He later directed the company’s first feature film, His Name Is Michael.
  https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7417773/


CONTACT
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  press@4estfilms.studio
  https://instagram.com/4estfilms

IMAGE CREDIT
  Behind-the-scenes photography by Ryan McBoyle.
  Stills in this kit are 2160px web resolution. Print resolution is
  available on request.
