| Morgan | |
| Director: | Michael D. Akers |
| Producer: | Michael D. Akers Sandon Berg Israel Ehrisman |
| Music: | Ryan Rapsys |
| Cinematography: | Chris Brown |
| Editing: | Michael D. Akers |
| Distributor: | United Gay Network |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
Morgan is a 2012 gay film directed by Michael Akers, produced by Michael D. Akers, Sandon Berg and Israel Ehrisman, and starring Leo Minaya as Morgan Oliver and Jack Kesy as Dean Kagen.[1]
A young, paralyzed, gay athlete attempts to live his life in a situation far from desirable. After an accident leaves him paralyzed from the waist down, Morgan Oliver (played by Leo Minaya), is first seen wallowing in a state of depression, drowning his sorrows in beer as he watches bicycle racing (the sport that at once defined his sense of purpose and drove him to his catalytic accident) on television. He meets Dean Kagan (played by Jack Kesy) who helps him through the way and a romantic relationship develops between the two. Once Morgan knows about the New York Haven Cycle Race, he decides to take part in the race with the help of Kagan and sponsorship from Tread Bike Shop.
Akers and Berg planned on writing a story about a paraplegic while casting for an earlier film Phoenix. A young, handsome wheelchair-using paraplegic actor had submitted his portfolio for a possible role in a film. Although the screenplay for Phoenix had been written and no role was envisioned for a paraplegic acting role, they were intrigued enough by him personally, they decided to write a screenplay around a paraplegic athlete.[2] After many interviews with other wheelchair-using gay men, their collection of stories became the basis for the film Morgan.
One film reviewer wrote: "Morgan is not a sophisticated film, but it is a very human one. Morgan has an abundance of heart and speaks to the travails of the disabled in a way that is rarely addressed in cinema, queer or otherwise. Well Done."[3]
Music is by Ryan Rapsys. The film also includes original music by
The film was screened at many festivals including
"Audience Award" at:
"Jury Prize" at: