USA / 2024 / 113 min / English / Drama
Joanne is an aging actress forced to examine her choices in life and the importance of family versus
fame when her sister, Lynnie gets sick in this story about having the courage to change one’s life.
Martin A. Gottlieb returns after a thirteen-year hiatus to FLIFF. He was last here as an actor in the
hilarious indie hit, ABOUT FIFTY. This time he comes in with his directorial debut in which he also has a
significant role. Anne-Marie Johnson plays Joanne, a complicated person with lots in the rearview
mirror that she doesn’t appear to be pulling away from. Harley Jane Kozack plays Joanne’s sister, Lynnie,
in a demanding role. There are some seasoned vets in the cast as well. Johnson had roles in the TV
series IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, 118 episodes as Althea Tibbs (they called her Mrs. Tibbs, jk), and on
JAG. Plus, the classic HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE. Alan Rosenberg (LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST, LA Law,
Cybill), Shari Belafonte (THE PLAYER, Hotel…and of course, Harry), Erika Alexander (GET OUT, AMERICAN
FICTION and BLACK LIGHTNING) and Clancy Brown (THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, NIGHTMARE ON
ELM STREET, COWBOYS & ALIENS), usually plays someone evil, gets a reprieve here as Riz the director
auditioning Joanne.
Gottlieb, Johnson and the fine ensemble hit this very human story out of the park. FLIFF looks forward
to presenting this film of introspection and the conversation it will create.
DIRECTOR: Marty Grey Gottlieb was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY before heading to Boulder, CO to
play football and an inning or two of baseball for the Buffaloes. After graduating, he returned to
Brooklyn and worked in a paper converting factory making paper lace doilies, hence the name of his
production company, DOILYBOY. But it was a means to an end once Marty started working as an actor.
His first feature film was THE NATURAL and from there came regular work on television in mostly one
hour dramas like NYPD BLUE, ER, JAG, THE X-FILES, COLD CASE, BONES, LIFE and many others. But there
was always an itch to do more. The stage was a great place and Marty was honored with a Los Angeles
Drama-Logue award for best actor in FRIENDS, but something was still missing. Like many actors, he
started writing and eventually was able to direct a TV pilot, ON AND ON, from his own script. Some
years later he co-wrote and co-starred in the award-winning feature film ABOUT FIFTY and now, THE
ADDICTION OF HOPE marks his first feature film as a writer/director/producer/actor.
Marty’s goal as a filmmaker is to tell stories honestly with grounded performances that move people.
DIRECTOR STATEMENT: Sometimes in our despair hope becomes addictive and makes it easier to ignore
reality. This story looks at why we make some choices in life, and how we’re capable of changing.
Special Guests: Martin A. Gottlieb,
Contact: doilyboyproductions@gmail.com
Special Guests: Martin A. Gottlieb, Anne-Marie Johnson
