Missing Child follows the journey of GIA (Kristen Ruhlin) a young woman in her 20s, with a troubled past. Having never met her natural parents, Gia was raised in foster care where she experienced physical and sexual abuse as a young girl. This lead to many unhealthy experiences and relationships in her teenage years. Now, Gia tries to put her past behind, focusing on her ambition to return to school and pursue a degree in fashion design.
Gia’s goal is interrupted when she discovers, through her boyfriend JOE (Luke Sabis), an age-progressed photo of a missing child, who resembles herself. Her friend DEBBIE (Jenifer Staley), a single mother going through her own financial troubles, is concerned that Gia is repeating unhealthy habits by being with her boyfriend Joe, who is nearly twice Gia’s age. Gia however, develops a stronger bond with Joe, who is very supportive of Gia’s desire to learn of her roots.
Gia and Joe drive to the house of HENRY WHITTLE (Charles Gorgano), the man they believe may be Gia’s father. Though he is wary of visitors who claim to be, or to know about his missing daughter, Henry welcomes them into his home. He takes a liking to Gia but views Joe with distrust. Gia looks at old photos of Henry’s missing daughter and sees a discrepancy that makes her believe that she is not Henry’s daughter. Joe encourages her not to give up hope. Her primal desire to learn about her past drives her to go along with Joe.
Henry’s bond with Gia becomes stronger. Gia notices similarities between herself and Henry’s missing daughter. Hearing Henry speak about his child and wife makes Gia imagine what life would have been, if she was Henry’s daughter. While having dinner, Henry reveals he believes that Gia is his daughter. He produces a bag of cash as a reward for the return of his daughter. Gia is infuriated as she learns Joe has been planning all of this in an effort to swindle Henry out of this reward money. Joe expresses a more violent side and warns Gia not to get in the way of his plan, or he will cause harm to Henry.
‘MISSING CHILD’ Opens theatrically in Los Angeles on Friday, October 23rd at the Laemmle Music Hall.
About The Filmmaker
Luke Sabis grew up in Queens, New York where he played guitar, sang, and wrote original songs for the alternative rock band, The Take. He began to act and did many plays on the Off Off Broadway stages of New York City. Eleven years ago, he came to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career in Film and Television, but instead fell in love with filmmaking.
Luke went through the Cinema program at Los Angeles City College. (He is also a graduate of St. John’s University, in Jamaica, New York.) He made several short films and has written, and co-written several feature screenplays. One of them, The Ultimate Reality Show, is currently being optioned by Dagger Charge Films. As a filmmaker, his strongest influences have been the work of Elia Kazan, Martin Scorsese, the Coen Brothers and Alexander Payne.
In his free time, he still enjoys jamming with some of his music buddies. He also studies Classical Piano. Though he enjoyed growing up in New York City and still has some great friends there, Luke is happy and proud to call Los Angeles his home.
TESTIMONIAL
“The movie has a major mental health message namely that one’s past has a profound impact on one’s life. The movie is artistically crafted with excellent acting. The movie’s powerful emotional impact may be unsettling and difficult to watch for some people but it is true to the reality of adversity and vulnerability in human life. This is a mystery thriller dealing with the dark and tragic side of human life. It will appeal to all who are involved in the never ending task of ensuring living internally with integrity and at peace.”
Maria T. Lymberis, MD
Distinguished Life Fellow American Psychiatric Association
Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Honorary
UCLA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
