New Drama Film 'Windfall' Unveils an Impactful Character Study of a Hero's 'Troubled Journey'

    LOS ANGELES, CA, July 24, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Darren Mann, one of Canada's top-shelf, burgeoning film and TV actors to watch, is pleased to announce "Windfall," a dynamic new short film directed by Rick Tae.

The 20-minute drama follows the story of Len, a downtrodden protagonist whose fate changes when he wins the lottery. As Len tries to repair the pitfalls of his life, secrets and challenges unravel to show how newfound fortune might not be capable of fixing the past.

Mann, a 26-year old talent from Vancouver, came up with the original story, co-wrote, co-produced and stars in the film. He has risen to notoriety with his critical role in Network Entertainment's "Stanley's Game Seven 3D," his recurring role on The CW's Emmy nominated series, "The 100," and roles on other CW hits such as "iZombie" and "Supernatural."

Of "Windfall," Mann says, "It's a story about a guy who has gone through some rough times in his life, fallen down the path of alcohol abuse and has lost touch with anybody who has meant something to him. One day, he wins the lottery and tries to get back people in his life. With this newfound fortune, he hopes to take the money and buy back people in his life - family, friends and people he'd hurt in his past."

Australian actor-writer Jonathan Alexander ("Feed the Gods") co-wrote the script with Tae and Mann. Tae is making his directorial debut with "Windfall" and is previously known for his acting in the award-winning TV series, "Godiva's," the CBC's "Intelligence" and USA Network's "The Dead Zone." He also appeared in Columbia Pictures' blockbuster, "2012," and served as an assistant to director Roland Emmerich on the film.

"Well-crafted characters who take action to fight for what they believe in allow for natural filmic storytelling," Tae said. "I was drawn to the project immediately when I found myself relating to a desperate man, lost in guilt from his past, his future and merely surviving in a blessed world disparate from what he's been able to offer it in return."

Starring as Len is actor Chris McNally, who won the Best Actor award for his leading performance in "John Apple Jack," at the 2014 FilmOut Audience Awards in San Diego. Most recently McNally appeared in guest starring roles on "Supernatural" and TNT's "Falling Skies."

"After reading the script for the first time, it left me with a soft, emotional sense of serenity," McNally said of "Windfall." "I thought it was beautifully written and possessed a rawness, honesty and complexity which was both moving and inspiring."

It's inspiring too for Mann, who relates to characterization that hits close to home. "A lot of ideas for characters came from people in my life," he said. "I grew up with just my Mom, a single mom. My Dad was kind of a deadbeat and similar to the lead character."

Speaking to the notion, Tae added, "Perhaps it's difficult to empathize overall with such seemingly destructive qualities of alcoholism, depression and child neglect, but the universal theme and feeling of 'are we ever good enough?' haunted me and empowered me to dive into the examination of this Windfall hero's troubled journey."

In "Windfall," Mann plays Wade, a lead who is coming of age in his 20s, a blue-collar worker, friend and construction apprentice to Len.

"He grew up friends with Len and is now looking to learn the business of construction and carve his own path," Mann said. "He's trying to balance old friendships and new family, and trying to do all that without hurting anybody."

McNally said, "Darren brought a great, great deal of depth and truth to this film as an actor. So much so that at times I could feel his words still searing into me hours after wrap, and I would have to remind myself to drop the work."

Tae said working with Mann to best bring his character to life proved "difficult" but "in the best way possible." "As Darren is such a versatile actor, my work demanded specificity in our communication that would draw the best possible performance from him since he was already passionately prepared for options from here to the moon."

Mann's other credits include acting in Netflix's "Some Assembly Required," the Canadian Screen Award nominated series "Package Deal," ABC's award-winning, "Motive" and The CW's award-winning "The Tomorrow People." He's also starring in director Terry Miles' 2015 feature thriller "Even Lambs Have Teeth" with Kirsten Prout ("Elektra"), Michael Karl Richards ("The Big Year"), Craig March ("I, Robot") and Chelah Horsdal ("Rise of the Planet of the Apes").

Set in an ambiguous Pacific Northwest town, "Windfall" was shot in Vancouver in January and has recently finished post-production. The film is set to premiere at film festivals beginning in September. Screening information is to be announced next month.

Also starring are Celia Reid ("A Gift of Miracles"), veteran Michael Roberds, who famously played Uncle Fester in Fox's hit "The New Addams Family" and Tyler Burrows ("Obviously Not Porn"), who co-produced "Windfall."

"Whether it was finding the right 'hangover' tone that reflected the protagonist's inner life in line with also maintaining visually stunning cinematography, or whether it was finding an ensemble cast that could handle realism along with extraordinary circumstances juxtaposed with the portrayal of conflicted multidimensional chemistry between all the characters, we were aware we lucked out in finding leadership in all departments to bring this film project together based on all our visions," said Tae.

Watch the "Windfall" trailer: http://tinyurl.com/windfalltrailer

For more information, visit:

https://www.facebook.com/WindfallMovie

https://twitter.com/windfallfilm

http://tinyurl.com/windfallIMDb

http://tinyurl.com/DarrenIMDb

https://twitter.com/darrenwmann

Darren Mann is a film and TV actor from Vancouver.

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