Hope Cafe

In 'The Box', Jack is a homeless war veteran who lives in a cardboard box, in a wooded area of St. Augustine. He has been on the move since 1968. Jack is coaxed out of his box by a reporter who persuades him to participate in an interview. He is a philosopher, a lover, a fighter, and a theologian. The Box will move you; making you think, cry, and laugh. Throughout the engaging conversation about homelessness in contemporary America, it becomes clear that Jack suffers from PTSD, much like thousands of other veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. This a unique film, that captures and exposes, for consideration, many issues in America that span across gender, race, and age boundaries. War, discrimination, and true compassion (and positive action) for one's fellow man must be dealt with by each person in each generation. The timelessness of the subject matter results in a film of interest to all. 'The Box' was filmed on a miniscule budget, with the donated time of a lot of people. 'The Box' is a film adaptation of the play, 'The Box', performed by the writer/actor in St Augustine, FL. The director's vision of transforming the play into a film for the benefit of the homeless, that would engage people of all ages, genders, and race was accomplished for approximately $5000 (from the start of film discussions to finishing the film copy that was provided for this festival). The technical efficiency and content quality for this budget is fantastic.

Young Edmond Durand (Conrad Nagel) has been reared under the autocratic influence of his aunt (Marcia Manon), who directs a large silk mill in southern France. He revolts against a stifling career planned for him and leaves home with Marcelle, a Gypsy girl (Renée Adorée). They roam the countryside with a Gypsy caravan in romantic bliss; they are inadvertently separated but at the outbreak of war are reunited. When peace is restored, the lovers find happiness together.

The Iraqi soldiers are trying to take the men of a border village to the front, but they resist the soldiers because they consider themselves of Iranian origin and race.