Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/5/19 - At first glance, Wednesday evening looked like a typical bustling premiere at Hollywood Boulevard's legendary Chinese Theater. 6 PM press check in. 6:30 red carpet. 7:30 screening and and after party at The Pig N Whistle. But the world premiere of Eternal Code was distinctly its own experience.
For starters, the film sets itself apart simply by being written, produced and directed by multi award-winning actor/filmmaker/ European martial arts champ Harley Wallen. The highly anticipated action-crime-thriller stars Scout Taylor-Compton, Richard Tyson, Billy Wirth, Mel Novak, Harley and Kaiti Wallen, Vida Ghaffari, Erika Hoveland, Damien Chinappi, Shane Hagedorn, Calhoun Koenig, Angelina Danielle Cama and Yan Birch.
Aside from a remarkable cast and crew, luminaries including Oscar nominee Terry Moore (Come Back, Little Sheba),
Primetime Emmy nominee Naomi Grossman (American Horror Story), Hank Garrett (Three Days of the Condor), Kate Linder (The Young and the Restless), Lydia Cornell (Curb Your Enthusiasm, William McNamara (Copycat), International Musical artists Andy Madadian and Shani Rigsbee, Two time Beverly Hills Mayor Jimmy Delshad, Primetime Emmy winner Kim Estes (This is Us), Kelli Maroney (True Blood), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone), Deep Roy (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), Debra Lamb (There's No Such Thing as Zombies), Mary Apick (Homeland), Apik Youssefian (The Keeper: The Legend of Omar Khayyam), Ali Saam (Argo), Katherin Kovin-Pacino (Mansion of Blood), William Lashbrook (Below Ground Zero), Maria Olsen (I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu), Jamie Bernadette (NCIS: New Orleans) and many more were on the spectacular event guest list. The lineup of fashions that graced the carpet were both futuristic and sexy, an indication of a project with daring sensibilities.
Vida Ghaffari and Lydia Cornell (Curb Your Enthusiasm) Photo: Bob Delgadillo
The film's explosive plot doesn't leave much room for boredom, either. After a revolutionary invention with far reaching consequences hits the scene, Bridget (Erika Hoveland) discovers a damning flaw in the company with which they've partnered to develop a prototype of a figurative fountain of youth.
Mel Novak attends the Eternal Code premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood
Bridget pulls back from the original deal; too late to realize the lengths they will go to in order to keep it in place. After her family's kidnapped in the crossfire, all hopes settle on their teenage daughter, Miranda (Angelina Daniella Cama) and her reluctant allies Corey (a suicidal military veteran played by Damien Chinappi) and prostitute Stephanie (Kaitie Wallen).
Aside from strong direction and a solid screenplay, the film especially benefits from strong performances by its ensemble cast, particularly by noted actor Richard Tyson as Oliver, Scout Taylor-Compton as Charlie, Erika Hoveland as Bridget, Billy Wirth as Mark, Harley Wallen as Sam, Vida Ghaffari as Nikita, Kaiti Wallen as Stephanie and legendary actor Mel Novak as Mr. Pomeroy.
Billy Wirth attends the Eternal Code premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre