SHOOTING LIVIEN SYNOPSIS
Rising New York indie rock star John Livien (Jason Behr, The Grudge) battles personal demons and childhood traumas just as his band ascends to greater fame in this evocative independent drama. Dominic Monaghan ('Lost') shines as Livien's bandmate.

SHOOTING LIVIEN REVIEW
Shooting Livien travels in outwardly familiar territory - the story of a tortured artist/musician struggling with self-destruction just as fame and fortune beckon - but writer-director Rebecca Cook brings a completely fresh eye to the material, taking the story away from cliche-ridden melodrama and moving it into the realm of dreamy, evocative mood piece. While Livien is principally an intimate character study of the film's eponymous angst-ridden singer, Cook also establishes a uniquely boozy, bleary late-night tone for the film, perfectly capturing that unstable feel of the night's last cigarette and beer. Cook is greatly aided by her gifted cast: Jason Behr (The Grudge) stars as John Livien, a Jeff Buckley-esque NYC musician on the road to greater success with his bandmates Owen (Dominic Monaghan from 'Lost' and the Lord of the Rings trilogy) and Robby (Blair Witch Project's Joshua Leonard). But Livien has inner obstacles he must overcome - despite support from his girlfriend Emi (Sarah Wynter, '24') and tough band manager Brea (High Art's Ally Sheedy).Livien is tormented by the traumatic memories of a tragic family past, and the psychological imbalance that those experiences have created in him today. Soon he must decide whether he can face his demons, or be forever hampered by his tenuous hold on reality. Working with an exceptional ensemble cast and expert cinematography from Harlan Bosmajian (La Ciudad), Cook has crafted a distinctive portrait of the emotional chaos that often fuels the creative process.