An Exploration of Faith, Ambition, and Politics

Michael Ricigliano’s film Godless will be released on November 1, 2024, in select theaters across the country. Shot entirely on location on Long Island, Godless presents a thought-provoking narrative that delves into the complexities of faith, ambition, and personal conviction.

Beginning November 1, 2024, Godless will be seen across the country   AMC: Universal City, Los Angeles, Metreon, San Francisco and Aventura Mall, Miami ; Harkins Theatres: Gateway, Phoenix, Spectrum, Tucson ; Regal Theatres: South Beach, Miami, more will be announced very soon.

Godless tells the story of Governor Angela Porra (Ana Ortiz), a practicing Catholic and ambitious politician who recently signed the first gay marriage law in her state’s history. With her sights set on the White House, she commits to signing a late-term abortion bill currently advancing through the state legislature. Short of the required votes to pass, Angela secretly hopes she will never have to sign it into law. However, her newly appointed parish Bishop, Reginald Roland (Harry Lennix), delivers a stern message: by signing the gay marriage bill, she has forsaken her faith and is excommunicated. This proclamation ignites a fierce battle between Church and State, with Angela’s political future hanging in the balance. As her excommunication draws attention to the abortion bill, Angela must reconcile her faith with her responsibilities to her constituents. In the end, both Angela and Reginald confront their sins and their shared humanity.

“Godless came to me as an exploration of the intersection between faith and politics, a theme that feels particularly urgent in today’s climate. Originally conceived as a play, the story evolved into a cinematic narrative about the political and spiritual fallout from a Catholic politician’s excommunication. I was inspired by the intense, often invisible conflicts that occur when personal beliefs clash with public duties. This film isn’t about making judgments; it’s about presenting the raw complexities of such a conflict and allowing the audience to reflect on their own views. In a time when the lines between personal and public morality are increasingly scrutinized, I felt it was the perfect moment to tell this story.”

— Filmmaker, Michael Ricigliano, Jr.

Along with Ana Ortiz (” Ugly Betty, ” Hulu’s ” Love, Victor “) and Harry Lennix (” Zack Snyder’s Justice League, ” ” Titus, ” ” The Blacklist “), the film features Patrick Breen (” Feud “), Dan Grimaldi (” The Sopranos “), Sarah Wharton (” American Insurrection “), Thomas G. Waites (” The Warriors, ” ” The Savant “), Richard O’Brien (” No Peanuts for Brooks McGill “), Timothy Doyle (” The Blacklist “) and Jennice Fuentes (” SkyFly, ” ” K Street “).

Godless is executive produced by John Gould Rubin , Jeff Schneider, and Craig Cohen , and produced by the Emmy-nominated Without A Net Productions, Harry Lennix, Vincent Petrosini, Elyssa Lyn Rabinowitz, in association with Jennice Fuentes, and Angel Soltero.

About the Filmmaker:

Michael Ricigliano (Writer/Director) is based on Long Island, New York, and is an abstract painter, screenwriter, and film producer. He wrote and produced the feature-length film The Brooklyn Banker , starring Paul Sorvino, David Proval, and Troy Garity, and directed by Federico Castelluccio, which was released theatrically in 2016. Michael has also penned the feature film screenplay Created Equal (based on the book by RA Brown) starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Aaron Tveit, Edy Ganem, and directed by Bill Duke. Michael’s play A Queen for a Day , directed by John Gould Rubin and starring David Proval and Vincent Pastore, had a successful run at the Theater at Saint Clements in New York City. He is also a member of the Silvermine Guild of Artists and has exhibited his abstract work at various museums and galleries, including the Steinberg Museum of Art and the Lilac Gallery in Manhattan.

Ana Ortiz is an American actress and singer. Having pursued a career in ballet and singing from a young age, she eventually attended University of the Arts. Ortiz began her acting career in theatre, in early 2000s starred in the short-lived NBC sitcoms Kristin (2001) and A.U.S.A. (2003), and had recurring roles on Over There and Boston Legal. Ortiz garnered widespread attention for her role as Hilda Suarez in the ABC comedy-drama series Ugly Betty from 2006 to 2010. She also appeared in such films like Labor Pains (2009) and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011), and starred in Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story (2008). From 2013 to 2016, Ortiz starred as Marisol Suarez in the Lifetime television comedy-drama series Devious Maids, for which she received the Imagen Award for Best Actress – Television. In 2020, Ortiz began starring in the Hulu series Love, Victor as Isabel Salazar, mother of the title character Victor
Harry Lennix is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Terrence “Dresser” Williams in the Robert Townsend film The Five Heartbeats (1991) and as Boyd Langton in the science-fiction series Dollhouse. Lennix co-stars as Harold Cooper, assistant director of the FBI Counterterrorism Division, on the NBC drama The Blacklist. Lennix has also played J’onn J’onzz / Calvin Swanwick / Martian Manhunter in the DC Extended Universe films Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

 

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