About this project

“Life’s full of gambles … Who’s to say how anything is going to turn out? Hell, I’m sure you didn’t expect to be in this position - did you?” For Max Lyons, an ex-con, life is just that: A series of gambles that have led him to the edge of hell. Fresh out of prison, Max ends up at a rundown hotel managed by his old friend Ziggy, the only person he can truly trust. Unfortunately, Max is unable to quell his heroin addiction once out of stir, reaping the bitter harvest of the anguish he has sown with his hypodermic needle. As a result, he is incapable of securing a job or controlling his anger at the bleak situation he has found himself in. Amid the squalor and bitterness of his sad existence, he meets Sara, a college student who lives in the room next to his. It is she who shows him that a new, brighter future lies ahead of him, giving him the courage to fight his addictions and kick his habit once and for all. Blocking this new path is Lucius, a powerful drug lord who Max had ripped off before going to jail. Now, Lucius wants payback. Will Max be able to break old ties and make a new life for himself?

Written and directed by E.B. Hughes, "Pacing the Cage" is a powerful, atmospheric feature film. It pulls no punches showing the hopelessness, despair, resentment and ultimate redemption of a man thrown into circumstances that spiral out of control and land him for a time in the gutter. Hardnosed and gritty, “Pacing the Cage” boasts the authentic feel and language and ugliness of the streets, with a claustrophobic feeling of dread hanging over the screen. Max’s struggle to survive and break out of the cage he has made for himself is an involving story that audiences will identify with.

“Pacing the Cage” was shot last winter on location in New York City. It stars Denny Bess, Reyna Kahan, Don Striano, Ron Rey and Sean Patterson.

The film is currently in post-production, and is almost complete with a rough cut edit. As we continue to get the film to the next level, there are several key elements still missing. We need to do a sound mix, color correction and music score. We have some facilities at our disposal, and many gifted people to help us through the process, but, financial assistance is needed for us to accomplish this goal.

The money raised will further the post-production process. The finished film will then be shown at film festivals, various film markets, and through connections we have with several well-known production companies. Our goal is to seek either theatrical or a DVD distribution deal.

For more information, go to http://www.ebfilms.com and http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004209/.

Project location: New York, NY

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Eric B. Hughes

Ocean City, NJ

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Influenced by John Cassavetes, E.B.Hughes was born and raised in New Jersey. He has written 25 screenplays. His one screenplay, "Life's Back Pocket," a finalist in the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, has been sought after for years. E.B.’s highly-regarded, noir-ish short film, “Harsh Light” (1997), starring Nathan George, Ron L. Cox, and Reyna Kahan, about an aging boxer, won a Maverick Movie Award for Best Narrative Short (Drama). He wrote the screenplay for the film "The Fallen Faithful", which premiered in Florida last month, and will have its Los Angeles premiere on June 21st at the Arclight Theatre.

"Pacing the Cage" is his first feature-length film as director.

In the mold of the best independent filmmakers of years past, E.B. Hughes is a triple threat as producer, writer and director; definitely someone to seriously watch.

"E.B. Hughes' film "Harsh Light" is one of the best short films of the past decade." - Phil Hall, Film Threat