You are Here playing at the Maple Art Theatre 9/16

The premiere is September 16 at the Maple Theater. YOU ARE HERE, which opened to effusive praise from a theater packed crowd on June 24 (more: www.thejeffreyporch.com), is a film that owes its existence to the sheer determination of its creator. A gripping drama that one viewer called “raw, emotional and true,” witnessing everyday life “in a way films rarely ever have” YOU ARE HERE has been called “the most realistic and honest portrayal of its kind” by a renowned authority on the subject of the film.

The compelling and exquisitely written story, shot in and around Detroit, generated long discussions and commentary for hours and days afterwards. Conceived originally as a vehicle to stir interest in a proliferating contemporary crisis, it is the first feature by Detroit writer Tim Jeffrey and his production company, The Jeffrey Porch, a film, documentary, video, writing, communications and editing consultancy based in Livonia, Michigan.

A cross between BEAUTIFUL MIND and SIXTH SENSE, Jeffrey’s film captures a little known malaise on film in honor of his mother, for whom the film is dedicated. Shot out of pocket over four years, production on YOU ARE HERE was suspended three times by the producers to drum up additional financing. Jeffrey worked with his wife, Beverly, to fund 90 percent of the film (friends and other supporters provided the rest), but when YOU ARE HERE debuted briefly in early 2006 to a few focus groups and small audiences of friends, he chose to pull the film and return to the edit suite for a frame-by-frame remix and full re-mastering to address audience critiques of story logic, overall sound, music mix, and so on. The post edit phase was held up for nearly six months due to additional expenses as well. But the result is a visually stunning, evocative, and big budget feel like few independents arguably ever achieve, with unforgettable performances, ethereal music and startling intimacy that meld perfectly to spellbind audiences.

International musical performing artists Loreena McKennitt, Caroline LaVelle and Ginny Clee generously contributed their creations, believing in the story’s message. Please read up on our film, see the clips, and check the notes on our national tour as we begin (at www.thejeffreyporch.com). Please accept our invitation to view the film at the September 16 premiere or the four day run following that, at the Maple.