Rage

Rage is an independent thriller about two broken actresses who meet at a high stakes audition, where their lives become inexorably linked in a dangerous and deadly rivalry. Filled with darkly comic moments, shocking plot twists, and raw and intense performances, Rage is a stick of cinematic dynamite whose fuse has been lit by the passion of two unforgettable artists.

Why Rage? Why Now?

Because there aren’t many movies about the PROCESS of acting and creating, especially from a female point of view. And this one is as intense as it gets.  Women can be raging bulls, too. The film explores how actors channel their insecurities and pain into their performances.  Simultaneously, it showcases the complicated relationship between two intense artists whose mutual codependence is only matched by their love and hate for each other. It is very loosely inspired by the near nervous breakdown experienced by Shelley Duvall on the set of The Shining due to the bullying and manipulation by director Stanley Kubrick. The film is an exploration of how artists willingly suffer for their art, and if the consequences are truly worth it.  

Natalie Kabenjian

WRITER / LEAD ACTRESS

NATALIE KABENJIAN is an actor whose films have been selected by Sitges International Film Festival, the LA Independent Film Festival, and Dances with Films. Apart from acting, Natalie is a competitive pole artist, teacher and founder of Pole With Soul: body and soul coaching through pole dance, voice & movement, healing and empowering both men and women to be themselves without limits. She recently wrote and starred in “Freaks & Animals,” an episode in the anthology series “Los Angeless,” which marked her writing debut. Rage holds a special place in her heart for it is all about finding and trusting in your Voice despite all odds; a journey that every Artist undergoes in their creative process. It takes insane courage to look your demons in the eye and fly risking complete exposure, scars, warts, and all, and there is no courage without Rage. 

Melissa Hoppe

PRODUCER

MELISSA HOPPE is a creative producer, writer, and storyteller who earned her MFA from the AFI Conservatory. She wrote, developed, and produced the student Emmy and student Academy Award winning film, Stealth, a story about a brave, transgender eleven-year-old. Melissa was featured on the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards show for her work and took home the Bricker Humanitarian Award from the College Television Awards ceremony. She enjoys creating inspirational content that opens minds and instigates discussion among people from different generations. Melissa also has six years of corporate finance and production finance experience at large companies dealing with budgeting, expense management, and analyzing the P&L as well as a background in the foundations of marketing. 

Robert Murphy

director / supporting actor

ROBERT MURPHY was the DP and supporting actor for Alex Holdridge’s “In Search of a Midnight Kiss,” starring Scoot McNairy, which won the John Cassavetes Independent Spirit Award for best feature film under $500,000. In 2013 Robert was the DP and editor for 9 Full Moons, as well as the film Carlos Spills the Beans. He was also the DP for Alex Holdridge’s next film “Meet Me in Montenegro,” starring Rupert Friend. In 2015 Robert starred in the feature film 1 World 100 Lonely, and recently worked as DP and actor in the film Son of a Beast. Recently, he has worked on the films When I Sing, Black Girl Down, Synth, Somebody’s Darling, Sick of it All, Friends of Friends, I Matter, Hollywood.con, Peridot, Secret Island Adventure, and Sinister City. He is also a songwriter for the band “Sybil.” His personal website can be found here.

MARCI MILLER

LEAD ACTRESS

MARCI MILLER was born and raised in the small farming town of North Liberty, Indiana (pop 1,900). She studied Vocal Performance at nearby Bethel College. After graduating college, she moved to Louisville, Kentucky, to pursue theatrical opportunities, then followed by moving to Los Angeles, where she studied Film Master Class at Baron Brown Studio, in Santa Monica, CA. In late 2015, Miller joined the cast of American Fable as Gavin MacIntosh’s mother, in the lead role of Sarah. From 2016 to 2018, Marci played the leading role of Abigail Devereaux in the TV show Days of Our Lives. She has also has starred in a number of movies, including: Most Likely to Die, J Plus C, The Amateur, Children of the Corn: Runaway and Death Race 2050, as well as a number of short films, including the short film version of “Rage.”