Silent Storm - DVD

From the Academy Award winning director of BUGSY, AVALON is based loosely on Barry Levinson's own family and their real experiences emigrating to Baltimore in the early 20th century from Eastern Europe. The third in Levinson's group of "Baltimore" chronicles, which include DINER and TIN MEN, AVALON.

Dwelling on his past glory as a prize-winning author, Ryota (Hiroshi Abe) wastes the money he makes as a private detective on gambling and can barely pay child support. After the death of his father, his aging mother (Kirin Kiki) and beautiful ex-wife (Yoko Make) seem to be moving on with their lives. Renewing contact with his initially distrusting family, Ryota struggles to take back control of his existence and to find a lasting place in the life of his young son (Taiyo Yoshizawa) - until a stormy summer night offers them a chance to truly bond again.

Directed and co-scripted by Daniel Taradash (From Here To Eternity), this reflection on the rights and responsibilities of citizens was a timely response to Anti-Communist sentiment in the 1950's. A small town librarian (Bette Davis) stands up to local pressure to remove a controversial book from the shelves on principal, not out of sympathy for its perspective. Also co-stars Brian Keith (Tight Spot, and TV's A Family Affair) and Kim Hu