Press — Prodigal Sons: A Kimberly Reed Film
Press Kit
Returning home to a small town in Montana for her high school reunion, filmmaker Kimberly Reed hopes for reconciliation with her long-estranged adopted brother, Marc. But along the way she uncovers stunning revelations, including a surprise relationship to Orson Welles and Rita Hayworth, intense sibling rivalries and unforeseeable twists of plot and gender that force them to face challenges no one could imagine.
Winner of the FIPRESCI Prize at the Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival, Best Documentary Jury Prize at NewFest, and Special Jury Prizes for Fearless Filmmaking at the Florida Film Festival and Bravery in Storytelling at the Nashville Film Festival, Prodigal Sons is a raw and provocative examination of one family's struggle to come to terms with its past and present.
Quotes
“Do not read anything about Prodigal Sons. And do not miss it.”
—Michael Tully, Hammer to Nail
“Do not miss this film! Compellingly universal.”
—David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle
“Fascinating … see it!”
—A.O. Scott, At the Movies
“Prodigal Sons is filled with revelations.”
—New York Times (Critics' Pick)
“One of the very best films of the year, whichever year it belongs to… this is a movie that everyone should see.”
—Nathaniel Rogers, Towleroad
“One of the strangest, most heartbreaking docs you'll see this year.”
—New York Magazine (Critics' Pick)
“Brave, unflinching film.”
—Michael O'Sullivan, The Washington Post
“Amazing … unique … bracing.”
—Todd McCarthy, Variety
“Wow, wow… stunning, jaw dropping.”
—Lisa Derrick, Firedoglake
“This is a film not easily forgotten… touches upon the very essence of human identity.”
—Sheri Linden, Los Angeles Times
“A work of genius! Prodigal Sons is made with elegance and passion and a searing honesty that can very nearly break one's heart.”
—Andrew Solomon, author of Noonday Demon & Far from the Tree
“Definitely among the best documentaries I've seen in years.”
—Rick Moody, Details Magazine
“Exceptional.”
—Village Voice
“I saw a film I can't get out of my head.”
—David Thomson, The Guardian
“Harrowing and unforgettable.”
—David Wiegand, San Francisco Chronicle
“Truth is stranger than fiction… never resorts to exploitation.”
—V.A. Musetto, New York Post
“A poignant tale with vivid details.”
—Mark Jenkins, NPR
“Fearlessly real and affecting… as involving as any cinematic fiction.”
—Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies
“Renders real life with the tension and thematic depth of great drama.”
—The A.V. Club
“Compelling and thoroughly captivating.”
—Jennifer Merin, About.com
“This is one powerful film… top-notch.”
—Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film
“A consistently generous film.”
—Liam Lacey, The Globe and Mail
News
PRODIGAL SONS deals beautifully with "the politics of childhood, and the universal desire to be loved by one's family." Daily City Orlando>>
Reed's directorial feature debut is "a unique and rare example of POV." Cameron Koller, AFI Fest Daily News>>
Kimberly Reed is one of 25 New Faces of Independent Film 2007 Filmmaker Magazine>>
"One of the highlights of the 35th Telluride Film Festival." — Gary Giddins NY Sun>>
"I saw a film I can't get out of my head." — David Thomson The Guardian>>
"Everyone should see this movie... This one could be life-changing." As Little as Possible Blog>>
Todd McCarthy calls PRODIGAL SONS "amazing… unique… bracing." Variety>>
Prodigal Sons is filled with revelations — Critics' Pick New York Times>>
Brave, unflinching film — Michael O'Sullivan The Washington Post>>
Harrowing and unforgettable — David Wiegand San Francisco Chronicle>>
Truth is stranger than fiction… never resorts to exploitation — V.A. Musetto New York Post>>
A poignant tale with vivid details — Mark Jenkins NPR>>
Fearlessly real and affecting — Sean Axmaker Turner Classic Movies>>
Renders real life with the tension and thematic depth of great drama The A.V. Club>>
One of the strangest, most heartbreaking docs you'll see this year — Critics' Pick New York Magazine>>
A consistently generous film — Liam Lacey The Globe and Mail>>
Definitely among the best documentaries I've seen in years — Rick Moody Details Magazine>>
This is a film not easily forgotten… touches upon the very essence of human identity — Sheri Linden Los Angeles Times>>
Exceptional Village Voice>>
Five Undistributed Gems of 2009 — Eugene Hernandez indieWIRE>>
Top 10 Documentaries on Festival Circuit in 2009 — Cameron Yates indieWIRE>>
Kimberly Reed profile and interview The Oprah Winfrey Show>>
Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film — nomination Cinema Eye Honors>>
GLAAD Media Award nominee — Outstanding Documentary GLAAD>>
"Best Documentary of 2009" Curve Magazine>>
"Best Film of 2009" — Rick Moody Magnet Magazine>>