Prodigal Sons (film)
Encyclopedia
Prodigal Sons is a 2008 American documentary produced and directed by Kimberly Reed.
Kimberly Reed becomes a film maker and returns home to Montana for her high school reunion and to reconcile her relationship with her adopted brother Marc. She discovers many revelations on her journey including Marc's shocking blood relationship as the secret grandson of Orson Welles
and Rita Hayworth
.
In the movie, the intense sibling rivalry and unforeseeable twists of plot and gender forces them to face serious challenges.
Kimberly Reed appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show
"Transgender Transition," on February 11, 2010, to discuss her life and movie, along with her mother.
never knew about his grandson. Rita Hayworth also probably did not know about this boy. When Marc was 21, he was in a car accident that resulted in a serious, traumatic brain injury. This injury lead him to be mentally incapacitated, and require medical treatment to control violent outbursts.
Rebecca Welles died at the age of 59 in 2004. It was only after Rebecca's death that 38-year-old Marc discovered his true lineage.
Marc McKerrow died suddenly in his sleep on June 18, 2010, only four months after his sibling's appearance on "Oprah." His death was "...caused by complications from a nocturnal seizure" related to his car accident.
and was theatrically released February 26, 2010 at Cinema Village in New York, NY. It was released on DVD July 2010.
Special Jury Prizes
Background
In the 1960s Carol McKerrow is a married woman living in Montana. She and her husband Loren, believing that she is infertile, adopt a baby boy they name Marc. Carol is surprised to discover that on the day they bring home Marc, she probably became pregnant with her biological son Paul. Soon a second son Todd is born.Plot
Paul is a High School football hero, the quarter back, named "best looking," and the Valedictorian. Paul however, since Kindergarten, has felt that something is sexually wrong with him. Although Paul dates girls in High School, upon going to the University of California, Berkeley, he begins to think he might be a transgender woman. He dates both men and women and in his late 20s, he finally transitions into a female, through gender reassignment surgery, and becomes Kimberly Reed, a lesbian. Paul's younger brother Todd also announces something about his sexuality.Kimberly Reed becomes a film maker and returns home to Montana for her high school reunion and to reconcile her relationship with her adopted brother Marc. She discovers many revelations on her journey including Marc's shocking blood relationship as the secret grandson of Orson Welles
Orson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
and Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth
Rita Hayworth was an American film actress and dancer who attained fame during the 1940s as one of the era's top stars...
.
In the movie, the intense sibling rivalry and unforeseeable twists of plot and gender forces them to face serious challenges.
Kimberly Reed appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
"Transgender Transition," on February 11, 2010, to discuss her life and movie, along with her mother.
Aftermath
Marc McKerrow's biological mother, Rebecca Welles (Manning), secretly gave birth to an illegitimate son on March 31, 1966, when she was 21. Orson WellesOrson Welles
George Orson Welles , best known as Orson Welles, was an American film director, actor, theatre director, screenwriter, and producer, who worked extensively in film, theatre, television and radio...
never knew about his grandson. Rita Hayworth also probably did not know about this boy. When Marc was 21, he was in a car accident that resulted in a serious, traumatic brain injury. This injury lead him to be mentally incapacitated, and require medical treatment to control violent outbursts.
Rebecca Welles died at the age of 59 in 2004. It was only after Rebecca's death that 38-year-old Marc discovered his true lineage.
Marc McKerrow died suddenly in his sleep on June 18, 2010, only four months after his sibling's appearance on "Oprah." His death was "...caused by complications from a nocturnal seizure" related to his car accident.
Release
Prodigal Sons premiered in the 2008 Telluride Film FestivalTelluride Film Festival
The Telluride Film Festival was started in 1974 by Bill and Stella Pence, Tom Luddy and Jim Card in the town of Telluride, Colorado, United States. It is operated by the National Film Preserve....
and was theatrically released February 26, 2010 at Cinema Village in New York, NY. It was released on DVD July 2010.
Awards
Winner- FIPRESCI Prize at the Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival
- Best Documentary Jury Prize at NewFest NYC LGBT Festival
- Best Documentary at Copenhagen LGBT Festival
Special Jury Prizes
- Fearless Filmmaking at the Florida Film Festival
- Bravery in Storytelling at the Nashville Film Festival
Film festivals
- DocPoint International Film Festival
- PRIDE Film Festival
- Spokane International Film Festival
- Melbourne Queer Film Festival
- Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
- Prism Film Festival