Cast & Crew
Director
Kari H. Sayers and Bruce R. Schwartz have been good friends and colleagues since the late 1980's, working hand in hand in the English Department at Marymount California University in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. It is no surprise that they would be working together on Sayers' third murder/mystery novel, "Justice for Lizzie," with Schwartz writing and producing the film version of her book.
Beyond teaching, Sayers has worked for South Bay Newspapers as a Reviewer of Theatre and Film while Schwartz has been busy Chairing The Ito/Matsuura Film Series at Marymount which pays homage to two film students who were car-jacked and murdered back in the 1990's. Both author and director hope you will take a look at the trailer for Schwartz's film and purchase Sayers' novel when it's published in early 2022.
Thank you for visiting!
Bruce R. Schwartz was an Associate Professor of Literature and Film at Marymount California University in Rancho Palos Verdes, California until he retired in 2019. He is a veteran filmmaker whose work includes AFI funded
IN MACARTHUR PARK, an independent feature, which won the FIPRESCI PRIZE (International Critic’s Award) at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain. Among his short films are “Outside the Lucky,” (about a homeless Vietnam Vet) and “Make A Wish, Molly” (starring Mila Kunis), the sequel to the Academy Award winning short “Molly’s Pilgrim”). Both shorts received many awards and excellent reviews.
His literary adaptations of classic American fiction (used across the country in colleges and universities) include Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path,” John Updike’s “A & P,” Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral,” Langston Hughes’s “Salvation,” Alice Walker’s “Everyday Use,” and Tillie Olsen’s “I Stand here Ironing.” The last two productions won the prestigious Telly Award.
His documentary work includes interview with author’s Eudora Welty, John Updike, Tess Gallagher (Raymond Carver’s widow), Alice Walker and Tillie Olsen. "Lives Interrupted: The Ito/Matsuura Story" a feature documentary he wrote and directed received a Certificate of Commendation from the U.S. Congress and played on P.B.S. among other channels.
Schwartz has a B.A. degree from U.C. Berkeley, and a combined M.F.A. degree from U.C. Irvine’s Writing Center and U.C.L.A.’s Cinema Department.
He can be reached via e-mail at: brschwartz@earthlink.net
Writer
With a BA in English and an MA in linguistics from California State University, Long Beach, Kari Sayers went with her husband to Saudi Arabia, where she first worked as a music teacher at Riyadh International Community School and then as a journalist for the English newspapers the Saudi Gazette and the Arab News as well as in-flight magazines.
When she returned to Southern California, she taught literature, college composition, and English as a Second Language at Marymount California University in Rancho Palos Verdes, while freelancing as a theater, classical concert, and opera reviewer for local newspapers and magazines in the Los Angeles area.
In addition to authoring the novels Roses Where Thorns Grow, Under the Linden Tree, and the soon-to-be-released Justice for Lizzie, all published by Melange Books in Minnesota, she is the developer and editor of the anthology Views and Values, published by Cengage. Now widowed, Kari lives in the Los Angeles area.
Nancy Nazari (Megan Viets)
Nancy Nazari was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California. At the age of seven, she began acting in school and church plays. After high school, Nancy put her acting career on hold to complete a bachelor's degree and work in the corporate industry.
Over her twenty years in corporate, she continued to study acting, both on camera and voice over. In 2015, she left corporate to pursue acting full time. She co-produced, directed and starred in SetLife Web series.
She has accepted lead and supporting roles in feature films and TV series such as 'A Killer Rising', 'Loss of Grace' and 'Game of Talents'. Off screen, Nancy is the mother of two rescues, Max and Emmy.
Mo Nariani (Dr. Ray Khazin)
Mo Nariani is a Hollywood based actor that brings a truly international and diverse take to this riveting story to create a dramatically impactful performance that leaves the audience asking for more. His breadth of experience spans a wide spectrum from the stage to soaps operas and watching him will have you at the edge of your seat as you journey through this deliciously dark story. Watch out for him as the mysterious, diabolical and very Machiavellian, Dr. Ray Khazin!
Steve Spear (Sheriff Ed)
Steve Spear is an actor known for his New York stage performances as 'Glen' in Neil Simon's 'Rumors' and as 'Joe' in Clifford Odet's 'Waiting for Lefty.' In 2019, he starred in 'La Puenta', which won "Best One-Act Play" Award at Manhattan Repertory Theater. He lives and surfs in Los Angeles, California.
Ann Van Haney (Lizzie Khazin)
Ann Van Haney is an actor, improviser, writer, director and producer based in Los Angeles and Joshua Tree. Before playing Lizzie she appeared on crime recreation shows Murdered by Morning, Betrayed, The Night That Didn’t End and Extreme Measures on Oxygen and Investigation Discovery. In 2022 you can see Ann on To Tell the Truth on ABC and in the films Three of a Kind, Rasputin’s Curse and The Rectangle Diaries. Ann is also producing the fifth annual Hi-Desert Fringe Festival and has feature films and documentaries in various stages of production with her company Van Haney Villa.
Daniela Brown (Heidi)
Daniela Brown is an actress, known for Chinese Speaking Vampires (2021), Justice League Dark: Best of the Worst and Chameleon (2019).
Monica Mauro (Nurse Cheryl)
Monica Mauro lives smack dab in the middle of LA and enjoys hiking the hills, yelling at people who run the red light while she’s still in the crosswalk, and going to brunch! Her claim to fame is being one of the few residents of California with no dietary restrictions when invited to a barbecue.
Playing nurse Cheryl in Justice for Lizzie was pure fun. It was an absolute honor to work with director Bruce Schwartz, and such a talented cast of actors. Monica is one blessed, and grateful human being!
Wendy Wilkins (Sally, F.BI. Agent)
Wendy Wilkins is excited to be playing Sally, The FBI agent, finally being cast in a law enforcement role after having been a real life cop in her previous career. Wendy studied theater at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London working on classical technique and Shakespeare. She guest starred on Australia's longest running and most beloved series, "Neighbors", where Margot Robbie was a series regular.
After arriving in the United States, Ms. Wilkin's career took off as she studied with the highly respected Ivana Chubbuck, and Katt Shea appearing in numerous films winning awards in festivals from Ojai to Sundance. She currently is the author of a successful memoir, Sex,Love & Cops about her five years as a real life young cop.
Greg Levonian (Deputy Earl Garcia)
Greg Levonian teaches English and is head of theatre arts at Marymount California University. He has performed in several college productions, and his credits include Mitch in A Streetcar Named Desire, Officer Welch in Rumors, and Joker in Summer Brave. An avid writer, Greg's articles on playwright William Saroyan have appeared in Western American Literature and Journal of the Society for Armenian Studies. "Justice for Lizzie" is his first feature
Stephanie Cervantes (Maria)
Stephanie Cervantes is a strong and dynamic actress and singer with experience in Film, TV, Commercial and Theatre. Stephanie proudly earned a BFA from NYU Tisch and studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute. During this time she also worked her singing talents with coach Jack Lee.
After relocating to Los Angeles Stephanie continued her practice with Joe Palese at the Actors Space and voice coaching with Thomas Shepard.
In her free time she enjoys practicing yoga, reading anything that has to do with history, hanging with her three dogs and four cats, gardening and decorating her home for every holiday. The greatest joys of her life are her husband Van and the love of her life, her son Callum.
Amber Kahwaji (Hookah Hostess)
Amber Kahwaji is an LA-based writer and actress with training in improv and comedy from The Second City, Hollywood, with a background in film and journalism.
Kai Williams (JP)
Kai Williams
DOB: 07/29/2017
Entertaining since 2017
First major role ‘JP’ for Lizzie
Sherwin Arae (Richard Khazin)
Known for his quick wit, observations, and shockingly accurate impersonations, comedian Sherwin Arae delivers gut-wrenching material all while making you feel like you are sitting in his living room.
A native of the east-coast, Sherwin began stand-up in New York City at Carolines On Broadway. Shortly after, he moved to Los Angeles to further expand his craft.
Sherwin established his presence in Los Angeles by winning the Hollywood Laugh Factory's Fresh Faces competition and has since become a national headliner.
A true entertainer, with an ambition to learn, Sherwin studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse, paving his way to perform in theatre for Director Donald Welch. Sherwin has also featured in films such as Another Time (starring Justin Hartley), and as a prosecuting attorney in the film As Evil Does (starring Bill Cobbs). Sherwin recently booked his first national commercial with Wayfair and currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
John Lane (“The Neighbor”)
John Lane is a retired Theatre Professor of 40 years at Marymount College PV where he was in many of the plays he directed. John launched his acting career in New Orleans playing Action in West Side Story at Le Petite Theatre, Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire, various roles in Repertory Theatre, and two movies.
After he received a BA from LSUNO he worked in New York before settling in Los Angeles where he earned his MFA at UCLA studying with Stella Adler, Rudy Solari, Michael Gordon, Delia Salvi, Guy Stockwell, and John Jones' USO tour of the Far East.
Keith Beyer (Guard Detention Center)
Keith Beyer is an actor based in Los Angeles. He has guest-starred on the TV series Truth be Told and has performed as a musician in the movie Hearts in Atlantis and the upcoming movie Dog.
Apart from acting, Keith spends his time as a freelance musician and Soldier in the 300th Army band. He has played for over 3,000 military funerals for Veterans.
Keith enjoys weight training, reading and is from Allentown, Pennsylvania. He continues his study of acting from the AFA acting studio in Toluca Lake, Los Angeles, CA. Please email keithhowardbeyer@gmail.com for more information.
Steve Inacio (security guard)
I’m so thrilled! First, I would like to thank Bruce Schwartz for giving me the opportunity to act in this film and for my mother that's always supported everything I've done. I am so honored that I got a chance to be part of this film. Getting to sit in the back waiting my turn, watching these amazing actors work and then getting the chance to play a role with them is just everything. I hope to keep moving forward with my career as an actor. I look forward to bringing more entertainment to the screen.
(Arresting Deputy Sheriff)
I was raised in Southern California. I'm amiable with a professional style and I'm willing to push the limits and range of my acting ability. Positive, motivated and professional on set always. I've been cast in 150+ projects as of July 2021. Starting off as a background actor, lately I've been able to be cast in more challenging day player roles as my experience expands. Hearing 'You nailed it" is like music to my ears!
Isamar Denise Tovar is an actress, known for Justice for Lizzie (2022), Marriage Material (2018) and David Rosales: Lift Your Hands (2018).
Stephen Goetsch (Editor)
From his roots in Wisconsin 2 decades ago, Stephen has become an accomplished Editor of film and television, editing hundreds of hours of national television. He has created several independent feature films including the horror film “Alive or Dead,” for Lionsgate Films, and the feature documentary “A Coup In Camelot” on the JFK Assassination. He is an Emmy-nominated Editor and also an award-winning screenwriter, PGA member, inventor and entrepreneur, multiple patent holder and creator of the Elbow Friend line of ergonomic armrest cushions!
Alexander Tovar (composer)
Alexander Tovar is a composer with a BM in Music Composition from USC. He's worked for artists such as Philip Glass, Gustavo Dudamel, Van Dyke Parks, Nico Muhly, and Elton John. His music has been played and performed all over the world including at the Cannes Film Festival and winning Best Score at the Milan Film Festival Awards. He's known for Nothing in Los Angeles (2013), Show Business (2016), and The Relationtrip (2017)
HIs website can be found here: https://www.alexandertovar.com/
Dwight F. Lay
(Gaffer and 2nd unit Camera)
Dwight Lay was born with a super eight camera in his hands. He has been making films for years, starting in high school with his buddies making all sorts of creations such as satirizing high school proper driving instructional films to copying (I mean, being inspired by) all the auteurs, learning the best way to get into film was just go and write something…and film it. The key, don’t talk about it too much. Just do it. I’ve worked for Bruce on 5 of his films, and he’s been a great mentor. He’s taught me to keep on making films.
Tyler Shields (Sound)
Tyler Shields is an experienced Sound Mixer living in Los Angeles. He has a passion for bringing projects to life with sound both on-set and in post-production. His work places you in immersive worlds and fuels action-packed moments. Learn more @ shieldssounds.com"
Diego Madrigal
(Additional cinematography)
Diego Madrigal is a Director of Photography based out of Los Angeles, California. As a Mexican-American cinematographer, Diego’s work primarily focuses on underrepresented subjects. He was raised in both Los Angeles and Mexico, Studying both at the Centre of the Arts, Architecture and Design (CUAAD) in Guadalajara, Jalisco and The Los Angeles Film School.
Mason T. Howard
(Cinematography)
Mason T. Howard has worked on 5 films that Bruce Schwartz directed. At first he was an editor in 2015 on "Greece: The Road Taken," then the cinematographer of both the indie features "Elina" and "Finding Sara," doubling as photographer and editor on those projects. In addition he edited and shot "Searching for Adam Silver" a documentary on the making of "In MacArthur Park."
He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and has a wife and new born daughter.
Tyrone Torres
(Coroner Guy)
Tyrone Torres is from Southern California, a Computer / Automobile Tech, Web / Software Developer, Digital Marketer, and Well-being Entrepreneur. He enjoys watching movies with a great story and message. That is why he’s very grateful for being part of the making of "Justice for Lizzie."
Ronald Torres
(Coroner Guy)
Ronald Torres is from Southern California, He's an Emergency Medical Technician, Automobile Industry Entrepreneur, Always against injustice and loves to see when Justice is made. This is why he appreciates having a small part in the making of "Justice for Lizzie."