Happy New Year is an important and evocative story about many of our veterans that sheds light on the ugly, hidden truth about the mistreatment they often face upon returning home. It tells the story of “Sgt. Cole Lewis” who, mentally and physically scarred by his time served in Iraq, finds humanity, compassion and friendship in a group of similarly injured vets at a rundown VA hospital. Through humor and pathos, the men find a way to combat their post-war grief, but just as their luck starts to change, the ghosts of war re-emerge, leading them down a path of
guilt, desperation and self-destruction.

Inspired by the Academy Award-winning films One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Coming Home and The Men, most of the action takes place throughout the hospital in this intimate, character-driven story. The feature film, which originally began as a play and was later adapted into an award-winning short film, focuses on the deep psychological damage of soldiers returning from war, and sheds light on the inadequate care many receive from the VA system once they return home. With a new era of change sweeping America and with the recent attention of major news outlets (i.e. New York Times, Washington Post, 60 Minutes, etc.) dedicating investigative reporting to subjects like the conditions within the V.A. hospitals, the rise in suicide and homelessness among returning vets, and the personal perils of PTSD, Happy New Year couldn’t come at a more relevant time.

Here’s your opportunity to be a part of a film that will reshape the socio-political consciousness of this country. Happy New Year must be made now!

Award-winning writer/director K. Lorrel Manning will direct a multi-ethnic cast, led by rising star Michael Cuomo (Best Actor, 2008 Rhode Island Int’l Film Festival and upcoming Bandslam) as Sgt. Cole Lewis. Eminent producer Iain Smith (Wanted, Children of Men, The Killing Fields) will serve as the film’s executive producer, overseeing all aspects of production, from early development to the film’s theatrical release. In addition, Ian Moore (Marvelous, Sibling) and Victoria Hay (HBO, BBC Films) will oversee the day-to-day producing duties in New York City.

The Picture is being produced independently and our plan is for it to be sold to distributors for theatrical, home video/DVD, cable, broadcast TV, and digital distribution both domestically and across international territories upon completion of the Picture.

Background
Manning and Cuomo initially teamed up on the critically acclaimed theatrical production, and co-produced a short film version, the first film of their recently formed production company, One Light Left. The short has screened at major film festivals (Winner for Best Actor (Michael Cuomo), 2008 Rhode Island Int’l Film Festival), universities and military organizations across the country. In addition, the venerable internet blog, The Huffington Post, recently premiered the short online, thereby reaching audiences on an international level.

Motivated by the strong response to the short from veterans, their families, VA personnel, and the general public, Manning and Cuomo spent the last 6 months interviewing Iraq and Vietnam veterans, VA personnel and the family members of fallen soldiers, in order to ensure accuracy in drafting the feature version. They co-wrote the story, with Manning writing the screenplay, and Cuomo serving as his consulting producer.