Sachem alum Ralph Suarez’s film “Halina” won Best Long Island Feature Film and Best Supporting Actress at the Long Island International Film Expo this week.
Suarez, who wrote and directed “Halina”, also won the honor Best Long Island Feature Film in the same festival five years ago for his film “Purgatory Comics”.
“Winning a festival is an honor, but for me, winning the Long Island International Film Expo is extra special,” said Suarez. “I’ve been a Long Islander my entire life, and being recognized by my community is one of the greatest feelings in the world.”
About the film: After the death of his wife Halina, billionaire Thomas Crane has a lifelike robot built with her likeness and memories. But when he rejects the replica, the robot Halina spends her days alone waiting for his return. The mansion’s head caretaker hires the young and insecure Mischa to keep Halina company. Through her talks with the robot, Mischa uncovers the mystery of the real Halina’s death – while learning that she has more in common with the machine than expected.
–Words by Chris R. Vaccaro