Of Things Past Marks a First in Filmmaking History

A truly unique production over 37 years in the making, the feature Of Things Past debuted to North American audiences in early October on Amazon, Vudu and major cable systems’ VOD.

Tony, Golden Globe and three-time Emmy winner Michael Moriarty, most known for his lead role in the iconic series Law & Order, returns to the big screen, with co-stars Louise Caire Clark (Disney's Five Mile Creek) and Tara Reid (American Pie) in the drama, that first began filming in 1985. The movie was never released and has been reimagined by TGA Productions and Cedar Films Studios, with an additional storyline shot in 2022, co-directed by D. Paul Thomas and Eric Rafael Ibarra, and distributed in North Amercia by Lion Heart Distribution.

“If you live long enough, you see nearly everything. Who would have thought that a movie filmed in 1985 that never saw the light of day, with lovely performances by Michael Moriarty and Louise Caire Clark, would be ‘reimagined’ by filmmaker Peter J. Bollinger and brought to the screen now,” comments Thomas. “A special shout out to Dr. Sam Mayhugh, who shepherded the entire project through to a successful conclusion, and to the splendid ensemble in the original film.”

Filmed in the mountains of Mammoth Lakes, California, and inspired by true events, Of Things Past tells the moving story of Michael and Laura Dietrich (played by Moriarty and Clark), a young couple struggling to save their marriage after the tragic loss of their two-year-old son. Michael, a physician’s assistant, saves the life of a young girl, Kiki, seriously injured in an automobile accident. In saving her life, he begins to forgive himself for the death of his son. Nearly forty years later, as Michael is dying, an adult Kiki (played by Tara Reid), visits Laura (reprised by Clark) in Boston, revealing details of long-held secrets—the pain of betrayal and the power of forgiveness.

“What fun it’s been working on this unique project—taking a movie filmed previously and adding to it an additional storyline,” adds Ibarra. “Putting the two storylines together has been a fascinating and challenging process. A big shout out to Fotokem, CFI, Audionamix, and composer Amanuel Zarzowski for their work in helping us bring this one-of-a-kind movie to the screen."

Actors Gary Bayer, Macon McCalman, Peter Von Berg (Cast Away, Rollerball, Bad Company), and the late Jack Nance (star of David Lynch’s Eraserhead and Blue Velvet) round out the stellar cast. Moriarty, an accomplished jazz pianist, singer and songwriter, also displays his musical talent in the film.

Director, writer, actor, and producer, D. Paul Thomas, while president of Victory Films, directed and produced over 30 commercials, documentaries, and feature films, including Years of the Beast, They Cry in the Night, and The Calling. In film and on the stage, he has worked with acting greats Olympia Dukakis, Jason Robards, and Christopher Plummer. He directed the award-winning And, starring Tony-Award winner Ron Silver.

Born and raised around the globe, co-director Eric Rafael Ibarra’s creative adventures began on the stage in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manila. As many before him, after graduating from Emerson College, he made his way to Los Angeles to explore the artistic allure of Hollywood, working his way through independent features, network television shows, national commercials, and everything in between. With ten years in the industry and now an indie filmmaker, his portfolio includes five features directed and eight produced, with multiple festival awards along the way.

Photos courtesy of Lion Heart Distribution. Rights outside of North America available.