Local film makers create movie to highlight homelessness

On June 30, Alaska Experience Theatre in Anchorage will be hosting “Chance,” a full-length feature film created entirely by an Alaskan film crew, along with local actors and production companies.

The main character of the film, Chance, is living on the street when he meets an old friend from high school who offers to help him get back on his feet. Chance gradually begins to get his life back together, and pursues his dream of becoming a successful actor. However, his long-time struggles with alcohol threaten to disrupt his life once more.

The film starts at 7 p.m. and tickets, which are available both at the door and online at bizzaymedia.com under the “shop” tab, are $5. A trailer for the film can be found on the BIZZAY website.

BIZZAY, the producers of “Chance,” also plan to donate a percentage of the revenue to a nonprofit in Anchorage.

According to their official press release, BIZZAY hopes to bring awareness to the Alaskan community by addressing the problems that the characters in “Chance” experience.

“As a film, Chance deals heavily with the issues of alcoholism and homelessness. These issues are present in Anchorage, and Alaska as a whole. We at BIZZAY hope that this film will have a positive effect on the community around us.”

Pre-production began in September 2016, and the entire film was shot during a seven-day period in January with six months of editing that finished in the beginning of June.

The film was written and directed by Norberto DeJesús Jr., and co-directed, filmed and edited by Zayn Roohi. Both are original founders of BIZZAY. The film was also supported by local companies EISSEJ Films and Upper One Studios.