BEHIND THE LENS #493: Featuring Lisa Brenner and Devin Montgomery

We've got some multi-tasking, multiple-hat-wearing filmmakers on this week's BEHIND THE LENS as we're looking at two indie gems with two wonderful filmmakers – LISA BRENNER, who is discussing her feature narrative screenwriting debut, ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY, which she also produces and in which she stars alongside Linda Lavin in her final big screen performance; and DEVIN MONTGOMERY, who makes his feature directorial debut with the drama MONSTERS WITHIN. And like Lisa, he also stars in his film, as well as serving as writer and editor. ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY, which is based on Lisa's own life, explores themes of family, identity, and unity, all done with heart and laughter. On her 40th birthday, Rachel is grappling with a looming midlife crisis and the nerve-wracking task of delivering a speech at her daughter's Bat Mitzvah. But when a DNA test unexpectedly reveals that she's only half-Jewish and her beloved father isn't her biological parent, Rachel's life is thrown into disarray, and suddenly, she's embarking on a hilarious journey with her eccentric mother Lenore to find out who she really is. And as if you hadn't already guessed, Linda Lavin plays eccentric mother Lenore to Lisa's Rachel. Then we go a bit darker with DEVIN MONTGOMERY and MONSTERS WITHIN, the story of Luke Wolf, a war veteran, who returns to his hometown, where his sister Elle is, who has Down Syndrome. Things are different, or maybe it's just that now he's different. After years of running from his problems, Luke must face his monsters. Written, directed, produced, edited, and starring Devin as Luke Wolf, MONSTERS WITHIN also stars Samuel French, Skeeta Jenkins, Daniella Montgomery, Kendall Cavener, and Katy Hayes. http://eliasentertainmentnetwork.com