Hara_Juku Tgirl
04-17-2006, 05:45 AM
"Gwen Araujo's tragic story to be adapted for TV"
Lifetime channel plans to air a telemovie on slain transgender teen in June
By Eleni Economides, STAFF WRITER
Inside Bay Area: The Argus
NEWARK — The story of slain Newark transgender teen Gwen Araujo has been told in court, on TV and in the newspapers. Now, it will appear in movie form.
The Lifetime channel, in conjunction with Sony Pictures Television, began production of the film April 2 in Vancouver. It is expected to air in June. Currently titled "The Gwen Araujo Story," the film's creators hope to educate people about the struggle of gender identity.
Executive producer Philip Krupp believes the film will break new ground for audiences previously unaware of the notorious murder.
"I think this is an important film because it's a tragic tale of fear and ignorance (followed) by a tragic result. It's worth telling that society cannot be intolerant about people who look or act differently," Krupp said.
Araujo, who was born male but lived as a woman, was beaten, strangled and buried in a shallow grave in the early hours of Oct. 4, 2002, after her attackers learned that she was biologically male. Within weeks, Jason Michael Cazares, 26; Michael Magidson, 25; Jose Merel, 26, and Jaron Nabors, 23, were arrested for their involvement in the crime, after Nabors led investigators to Araujo's grave in the Sierra foothills.
The murder received nationwide media coverage, as did the two trials that followed. Magidson and Merel ultimately were convicted of second-degree murder in September and were sentenced in January to 15 years to life in prison.
Four months after the group originally was charged with murder, Nabors pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for his testimony. He is expected to be sentenced on May 22 to 11 years in prison.
The two juries deadlocked on Cazares, who later reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. He began serving a six-year prison term last month.
The film, though, will focus mainly on Araujo's life and her difficult decision to live as a female, rather than the murder and two trials, Krupp said. He hopes the movie will convey an important message about tolerance and unconditional love.
"This was not an easy way to live (for Araujo)," he said. "What matters is that a mother's love triumphs everything.
This is a beautiful story about mother and child — and it is important and timely."
The film's main character will be Araujo's mother, Sylvia Guerrero, who will be played by Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl. Araujo's role has been given to actor J.D. Pardo, whose credits include "A Cinderella Story" and "Veronica Mars."
Gloria Allred, Guerrero's attorney, is co-executive producer of the film, which she brought to Lifetime executives in the hopes that Araujo's story could be told.
"I contacted a producer, and I shared why this is an important story and why it is perfect for Lifetime. My hope is that everyone will see it and everyone will appreciate the conflict that both the family and a transgender child faces. Gwen did not want to live a lie — (she) was a woman trapped in a man's body. Her family supported her to live honestly," Allred said.
Following the film, a brief public service announcement will air from the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG.
The announcement will focus on respecting differences, and Lifetime's Web site will offer viewers links to organizations such as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the transgender law center, and PFLAG.
Guerrero said she is happy that Araujo's story will be told to a larger audience.
"I have faith and trust that this will be positive. This is an important story that has made a difference in the world," said Guerrero, who spent nearly a week familiarizing the screenwriter with the family's tragedy.
"I'm proud to be Gwen's mom and I am proud that her story has touched so many lives and hearts, not just in the community — but all over the world."
Staff writer Eleni Economides can be reached at (510) 353-7006 or at eeconomides@angnewspapers.com.
SOURCE: http://insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3690721
__________________________________________________ ___
~Kisses.
HTG
Lifetime channel plans to air a telemovie on slain transgender teen in June
By Eleni Economides, STAFF WRITER
Inside Bay Area: The Argus
NEWARK — The story of slain Newark transgender teen Gwen Araujo has been told in court, on TV and in the newspapers. Now, it will appear in movie form.
The Lifetime channel, in conjunction with Sony Pictures Television, began production of the film April 2 in Vancouver. It is expected to air in June. Currently titled "The Gwen Araujo Story," the film's creators hope to educate people about the struggle of gender identity.
Executive producer Philip Krupp believes the film will break new ground for audiences previously unaware of the notorious murder.
"I think this is an important film because it's a tragic tale of fear and ignorance (followed) by a tragic result. It's worth telling that society cannot be intolerant about people who look or act differently," Krupp said.
Araujo, who was born male but lived as a woman, was beaten, strangled and buried in a shallow grave in the early hours of Oct. 4, 2002, after her attackers learned that she was biologically male. Within weeks, Jason Michael Cazares, 26; Michael Magidson, 25; Jose Merel, 26, and Jaron Nabors, 23, were arrested for their involvement in the crime, after Nabors led investigators to Araujo's grave in the Sierra foothills.
The murder received nationwide media coverage, as did the two trials that followed. Magidson and Merel ultimately were convicted of second-degree murder in September and were sentenced in January to 15 years to life in prison.
Four months after the group originally was charged with murder, Nabors pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for his testimony. He is expected to be sentenced on May 22 to 11 years in prison.
The two juries deadlocked on Cazares, who later reached a plea agreement with prosecutors. He began serving a six-year prison term last month.
The film, though, will focus mainly on Araujo's life and her difficult decision to live as a female, rather than the murder and two trials, Krupp said. He hopes the movie will convey an important message about tolerance and unconditional love.
"This was not an easy way to live (for Araujo)," he said. "What matters is that a mother's love triumphs everything.
This is a beautiful story about mother and child — and it is important and timely."
The film's main character will be Araujo's mother, Sylvia Guerrero, who will be played by Oscar-winning actress Mercedes Ruehl. Araujo's role has been given to actor J.D. Pardo, whose credits include "A Cinderella Story" and "Veronica Mars."
Gloria Allred, Guerrero's attorney, is co-executive producer of the film, which she brought to Lifetime executives in the hopes that Araujo's story could be told.
"I contacted a producer, and I shared why this is an important story and why it is perfect for Lifetime. My hope is that everyone will see it and everyone will appreciate the conflict that both the family and a transgender child faces. Gwen did not want to live a lie — (she) was a woman trapped in a man's body. Her family supported her to live honestly," Allred said.
Following the film, a brief public service announcement will air from the Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG.
The announcement will focus on respecting differences, and Lifetime's Web site will offer viewers links to organizations such as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the transgender law center, and PFLAG.
Guerrero said she is happy that Araujo's story will be told to a larger audience.
"I have faith and trust that this will be positive. This is an important story that has made a difference in the world," said Guerrero, who spent nearly a week familiarizing the screenwriter with the family's tragedy.
"I'm proud to be Gwen's mom and I am proud that her story has touched so many lives and hearts, not just in the community — but all over the world."
Staff writer Eleni Economides can be reached at (510) 353-7006 or at eeconomides@angnewspapers.com.
SOURCE: http://insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_3690721
__________________________________________________ ___
~Kisses.
HTG