Death of a Nation was a project I started in 2000, when I thought I knew everything but in turn knew nothing about the discipline, practice, organization, and the true human side of filmmaking. It has been one of the greatest and most humbling experiences of my life. It has encompassed a decade in which I gained the two greatest blessing in my life, my wife Wendy, and daughter, Nina; taught me what true friendship is, and to always, always believe in oneself no matter how many supposed failures you believe had occurred. It may never be my Mona Lisa, or Gone with the Wind, but it is now something I am truly proud of and thankful that it took me down this long and arduous journey, as it taught me to truly be a filmmaker.
My Journey in Filmmaking by Michael Yale Pollak ( www.mypollak.com )
Winner Directors Circle of Shorts “Best of Genre” (Death of a Nation)
Winner “Golden Eagle Award” CINE 2011 (Death of a Nation)
Winner “Best Short Film” Indie Fest 2011 (Death of a Nation)
Winner “Best in Show” Best Shorts Competition 2011 (Death of a Nation)
Winner Honorable Mention Los Angeles Movie Awards 2010 (Death of a Nation)
Winner “Long Format” The Visions Film Festival 2007
Winner “Short Format” The Visions Film Festival 2007
Official Selection NYC International Film Festival 2011 (Death of a Nation)
Official Selection Atlanta Shortsfest Film Festival 2011 (Death of a Nation)
Official Selection NEWFilmmakers New York 2011 (Death of a Nation)
Official Selection DC Independent Film Festival 2011 (Death of a Nation)
Official Selection New Hope Film Festival 2011 (Death of a Nation)
Young Panavision Award Winner
NuReel.com Film Festival 2007 Winner
Nominated for the Princess Grace Grant
Nominated for the Kodak Grant
John, an abused and emotionally scared teen, seeks solace and the answers he so desperately needs from Lync, a Gay Rights Activist, whose arrogance and unwillingness to just listen, and forgive John's learned ignorance, causes a violent misunderstanding that results in another lost chance to learn from one another.
