Indie Film Explores the Female-Dominant Relationship
90210's Micheal Steger stars in a non-traditional love story with a woman as sure of what she wants as the average male film character.
Feb 05, 2010
May 18, 2009
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 2009 -- Terran Enterprises announces the completion of its feature film Assisting Venus starring Micheal Steger (90210), Michele Mart?, Jordan Bridges and Julian Sands. The story follows Greg (Steger), a young man obsessed with Sophia, the confident young novelist who lives next door (Mart?). She hires him and they begin a non-traditional romance where she retains her power. The movie is the first directed by Charles Huddleston and written by Mart? and Huddleston.
The film is an opportunity for audiences to see the 90210 heartthrob on the big screen and in a much different role than they get to see every week on television. "Michael is a very talented actor and I think this role is a great showcase of his breakout potential," said Huddleston, "and the edgy subject matter will give his fans a new outlook on his abilities."
The character Sophia is uncompromising in her expectations both at work and in her personal life. "Michele is one of the sweetest, most caring and giving people you'll ever meet, but her performance has made a few of the men who've seen previews of the film rather uncomfortable," Huddleston said, "but that's what I want. I want audiences to think about the roles of women, at home, at work and in relationships.
"Too often in film we see strong female characters as either non-human, supernatural or undead. If a woman is a real person with strength, she is either the villain or someone who is ultimately presented as an example of what we are not supposed to want out of life," the director said, "Male characters aren't burdened with the same restrictions. They can be as demanding of others as they want to be, use women as disposable sex objects, pursue their own happiness at the expense of anyone who gets in the way, and still be portrayed as the hero. Sophia acts the same way a man would, and Greg loves her for it."
To the filmmakers, Greg's submission to Sophia isn't a weakness. "Greg's unwavering devotion in spite of Sophia's demands are an indication of who he really is," Mart? said, "I wanted him to grow in confidence and still choose to be a submissive from a position of strength. So he isn't just weak and run over, he wants to please her above all else, even if that means giving up his male ego."
Assisting Venus will premiere at a film festival early next year.