While we know we have a long way to go, we are very proud of the recognition our movie is getting, and everyone who worked on it.
As of this time, BLOOD TIES has been a part of the 2007 Action on Film Film Festival, the 2007 Bangkok Film Market, the 2007 Big Bang Film Festival, the 2007 Indie Fest USA Film Festival, and is invited to screen at the Rincon (Puerto Rico) Film Festival.
- "Action Film of the Year" - The Action on Film Festival
- "Best Director" (audience award) - Big Bang Film Festival
- "Best Visual Effects" - The Indie Fest USA Film Festival
- "Best of Festival" - The Indie Fest USA Film Festival
The Short Ends Magazine review and interview by Noralil Ryan Fores
Excerpt:
There's a bar of average expectations for low-budget genre films, and it's one filmmaker Kely McClung had no intention of noting. Shot between the States and Thailand, Blood Ties, McClung's feature debut, is easily one wildly ambitious indie action film. After four years, four trips to Thailand, all done on the work of a limited budget, Blood Ties wrapped to hit the festival circuit this year. Told in distinct stylistic chapters, the story follows Jack Davis (Kely McClung), a former federal agent turned rogue, who fights his way into and around Thailand to rescue his brother Jim (Robert Pralgo), kidnapped on behalf of the burgeoning International Security Federation. One part socio-political, the other experimental and emotional, the film at times seems to seek its voice, as if it's playing with many different ideas and refusing to settle on one thematic chord. Full review and interview
The Cinema ATL cover story by Nathan Flood
Excerpt:
Pretend you do have this great idea for a movie (I know it's hard, but try). You decide to pitch it to a buddy with a little bit of money in hopes he'll jump on board. You've got this great script and you're ready to go, where at this point your buddy asks, "Where you going to film it?" And your answer is?
If your answer is Thailand, you're lying (or insane), unless your name happens to be Kely McClung, because that was really his answer. Throwing independent filmmaking logic out the window, Kely pitched the idea for his film Blood Ties and its halfway-around-the-world bizzaro location to friend Robert Pralgo, and somehow, someway, got him to say yes.
Blood Ties, is an action film set not only in Thailand, but also a few more wallet conducive locations including; Washington, D.C., Miami, Virginia, and, oh yeah, Atlanta. Full review and cover story