About 10 years ago, on a cold Sunday evening in February, I arrived in New York City with the intention of studying film and theatre at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.  I had just turned 20 at the time and had been offered a free place to stay by an acquaintance that had welcomed me to share an apartment in Long Island.  However, after arriving at Grand Central station, in the midst of that large, daunting city, I soon discovered that this “free place to stay” that I had naively believed in did not exist.  I had arranged no other place to live during my studies, I did not have the money to pay for a place to live, and neither did I have the luxury of calling upon my family for cash.   I was effectively homeless.

Fortunately, I met kind people that night who directed me to a homeless shelter, named “Covenant House”, where I was able to find refuge and a network that helped me for the next 6 months to have a roof over my head and food to eat.  Without their help I would never have been able to remain at school, focus on my studies in a way that earned me a scholarship for further studies, and ultimately graduate.  For all that they gave me, I owe them a lot.

The story of “Turkey Day” flows out of this life experience. 

Turkey Day is a satire on Giving.  Through comedy we examine different ideas of what it means to give and how comfortable or uncomfortable we are with giving.  The setting of Thanksgiving Day allows us to approach this story looking at those who have a family, a beautiful home and plenty of delicious food to enjoy, and compare it to those who have none of that.  The milestones in the story are points where a decision is made – will I help or will I not?  Shall I assume that someone else will do something if I don’t?  And then to me, the big question that comes after that ... HOW should I help?

What I have wanted to say with this movie is that the act of Giving to a stranger who has less than you, should be deeper than just putting your hand in your pocket and pulling out a dollar.  Yes, giving a dollar is better than nothing, but ... human to human we are capable of affecting each other's lives in a much fuller way .  And we should try to do that.

The beauty of Giving is that the contributions you make today live on for an infinite period.  The after-effects continue to grow and affect lives.  As an example, this film is my response to what I was given 10 years ago.  Film has the unique ability to influence and educate the attitudes of masses of people; to capture a worthy message and repeat it over and over wherever it is shown. 

This type of film would not be made in Hollywood, and is in keeping with the kind of films I will strive to create that deal with the most Human decisions we find ourselves making from day to day that affect not only our own lives, but also the lives of those around us.

Regards,

Louie Cowan

Writer/Director “Turkey Day”