Saipan ShodaVision’s production of “State of Liberty” is scheduled to premier this month, a media release stated.
“State of Liberty” is set in a fictional bar of the same name somewhere in the hillsides of Saipan. It is run and patronized by a diverse group of individuals all in pursuit of the illusive American dream. The principal characters are played by actors of Chamorro, Carolinian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Bangladeshi, Filipino, and stateside American heritage.
“The casting process,” says writer/director Dan Shor, “was quite simple really. I wrote the script for people whose talent and or strength of character inspire me. I had a general story arc, yet when I approached Heather, or Tanya their participation dictated where the story line would turn.”
Heather Calderwood plays the part of Nadia: A Russian-born American teenage girl growing up in the melting pot of Saipan. She is the daughter of Sergei, the owner/proprietor of the Statue of Liberty bar and is the ballroom dance protégé of Angelo (played by Angel Santos.) A possible romance between her and her mentor may lead her protective father to drastic actions.
Heather is a student at Northern Marianas College completing her graduate certificate in television and film.
She studies dance and performs locally with Angel Santos of the Angel International School of Dance.
Heather was a key interviewer during the filming of the “60th Anniversary of the battles of Saipan,” and is known as the creator of the short film “Sisters” featuring her and her twin sister Megan. (Megan also makes a cameo appearance in “State of Liberty.”)
Tanya Oscar plays Amura, the new bartender at the “State of Liberty.” Her character’s beauty and innate sweetness attracts unwanted attention from incompatible sources.
Tanya hails from Nokuoro, one of the outer islands of Pohnpei. She has a graduate certificate from the NMC School of television and film. She has appeared as the inspired artist in the ShodaVision/ Visitors Channel video about Paul Jacquelet.