The dramatic film “Hope For The Holidays” available Nov. 26 on streaming platforms has a local connection: director Ricky Borba lives in Roseville.
Featuring Oscar Nominee and Golden Globe Winner Sally Kirkland, the story is about a wayward young man going to prison after robbing a bank to try to pay medical bills for his mother dying of cancer.
Gritty prison encounters mixed with hope and healing narrative are woven throughout the movie. This ultimately brings peace and a spiritual reconciliation to the mother Georgia, played by Kirkland, and her son, Danny played by George Stults of “7th Heaven.” The movie is based on the short story by former Hells Angels leader George Christie, “The Talking Tree.”
The movie was filmed in Sacramento and Stockton.
The movie has special meaning to Borba, whose second film “My Brothers’ Crossing” was released a few months ago. During production, Borba found out that his own mother was diagnosed with cancer and died just weeks later. Borba said that making this film became a purifying experience in a way that honors his mother and God.
“With the permission of the writer and producer, I was able to rewrite the dialogue of Georgia in the script to reflect the real-life conversations I was having with my own mother during her battle with cancer.” Borba said. “Most of what Georgia says in the film, and especially the conversations she has with Danny, are conversations I had with my mom. I feel very fortunate to have been able to honor my mother like this.”
Kirkland felt an incredible sense of responsibility playing Georgia, knowing that the character was so closely tied to Borba’s mother.
“The idea of playing such a strong mother and son story was what attracted me to the script. It’s a film for all generations. It’s the kind of film we need nowadays that touched my heart,” replied Kirkland.
The film’s primary message is of hope but the underlying story is the redemption and rebirth of Danny. His actions at the beginning of the film are of fear, disobedience and going to jail for a long time, but by the end of the film, Danny receives forgiveness, a family and many blessings.
Besides Kirkland and Stults, the movie boasts other top cast members including Doug Hutchison of “The Green Mile,” “I Am Sam,” “LOST” and “X-Files;” Robert Lasardo of “Psych the Movie,” “The Mule” and “Death Race;” Todd Bridges of “Different Strokes,” “Frankie D” and “Building Bridges;” Jenn Gotzon of “Frost/Nixon,” “The Farmer and the Belle” and “My Daddy’s in Heaven.”
The trailer for the film can be seen at https://youtu.be/1RrF4R7uJoE and on Facebook at https://facebook.com/HopeForTheHolidaysFilm.
