Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire (2000)

Synopsis: Kevin Jordan's debut feature is a shining example of what independent filmmaking is all about. Shot in just 12 days for $40,000, the film tells the story of two brothers living together in Los... Kevin Jordan's debut feature is a shining example of what independent filmmaking is all about. Shot in just 12 days for $40,000, the film tells the story of two brothers living together in Los Angeles, affectionately nicknamed Smiling Fish and Goat on Fire by their grandmother. Tony (Smiling Fish) is a happy-go-lucky ne'er-do-well who spends his time hanging out on roofs throwing boomerangs, writing silly songs, and basically taking life as it comes in between the rare acting audition. Chris (Goat on Fire) is the serious older brother, an accountant who is trying to rekindle his relationship with his high school sweetheart. Into Chris's life walks Anna, a beautiful animal wrangler, and Clive, an elderly man who used to work sound in the early days of black cinema. Into Tony's life marches Natalie, a charming nine-year-old budding actress, and her mailwoman mother, Kathy. Suddenly Tony and Chris must reevaluate their relationships, their careers, and just what it is they want out of life. Chris and Tony are played by real-life brothers Derick and Steven Martini, respectively, who both cowrote the film with Jordan. The closeness of the brothers is what drives the film, as even the simplest of scenes are filled with a subtle charm. The film is nearly stolen by longtime actor and singer Bill Henderson as Clive, who serves as a model of stability and sensibility for Chris and Anna while regaling them with fabulous stories of the days of Paul Robeson. [More]

Starring: Derrick Martini, Steve Martini, Bill Henderson, Christa Miller

Starring: Derrick Martini, Steve Martini, Bill Henderson, Christa Miller, Amy Hathaway, Heather Jae Marie, Nicole Rae, Wesley Thompson, Rosemarie Addeo

Director: Kevin Jordan

Director: Kevin Jordan
Screenwriter: Kevin Jordan
Producer: Derrick Martini, Kevin Jordan, Steve Martini
Composer: Chris Horvath, Steve Martini, Bill Henderson

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