‘Ariel’ a film by Bernie Garcia

“Ariel” written by Bernie Garcia, is a film that centers its dreamy story around the inner dialogues, hopes, fears, and dreams of individuals within the special needs community through the lens of friendship, love, and loss.

About Ariel:
Starring Brianna Oppenheimer as the voice of Ariel. Featuring an original song by Peter “Wolfeman” Wolfe and Patrick “Brummel” Balfe. Score by Gerry Garcia.

Ariel Garcia was born in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1993. Ariel was
born with Autism, Epilepsy, and T.S. (Tuberous Sclerosis). Her
parents were told, on the day of her birth, that she would not
make it through the day and that they should prepare her funeral
arrangements. When she made it through the night, they said she
wouldn’t make it past the week. When she proved the doctors
wrong, yet again, they still persisted that she wouldn’t live past
the age of six. Lo and behold, she is 31 years old today and is a
Special Olympic gold medalist for swimming.

Brianna Oppenheimer (Actress/Producer) was born in Pasadena,
CA. At an early age, she started performing with the Jacksonville
City Ballet and later attended New Orleans Center For Creative
Arts. She studied Theater at Desales University and Psychology at
Marymount Manhattan College. She has been in numerous stage
and film productions.

Bernie Garcia is an artist and director whose artistic mission
seeks connection with a disconnected world and to consistently
blur the lines between improbable and impossible. Starting in the
film industry as a young actor, Bernie fostered a passion for the
art of Cinema through the camaraderie and collaborative nature
of the medium, and likewise, by being inspired to tell stories
outside the margins, and to the antiheroes that tell them. His
groundbreaking article “Scrying A Someday” was the flagship
article for “The Guild of Future Architects” (a collaborative of
MIT/The Sundance Institute) and is a rallying cry for artists
everywhere to embrace leadership roles within their
communities and to tell engaging stories that matter.

Matthew Whetman is a former Level 9 Olympic Level skier
hailing from South Jordan Utah. After an unexpected hit and
run accident, Mr. Whetman with the assistant of his aid
David Mills, has not only overcome that setback but has
served as an inspiration to his family and friends. He is most
proud of his daughter, who is an aspiring musician in her
own right. Matthew enjoys gardening, lively conversation
with family, friends and loved ones and bridging the
comprehension gap/biases between able bodied and special
needs folkx.

Gerry Garcia (original score) is a versatile artist from Salt
Lake City, Utah who has excelled in acting, writing, music,
football, and martial arts. He has collaborated with
renowned figures in the film industry (Robert Duvall, Jeff
Goldblum) and is currently developing several screenplays.
He is passionate about music and credits his parents, Adon
and Tilly for nurturing his talent. He finds solace in family,
food, literature, and contemplative excursions into nature.
He believes that art has the power to transport the audience
into the mental state of the creator. “It is the power of art to
carry one’s self into the mental state of the creator. The
passenger has no choice… it is like hypnotism.”

Spencer Burton (Actor) has been participating in the Special
Olympics since he was 8, playing basketball, swimming, golf,
and bowling. He loves musicals, singing, and his family. His
favorite movie is The Lion King and his favorite foods are
French toast and spaghetti. He loves his job as a bagger at
Smith’s. Spencer, in his own way, shows everyone who
meets him the joy of life and how to enjoy everything that
this world has to offer.

Joseph Calderon is a film editor extraordinaire, sports
enthusiast and modern-day renaissance man. Joe started his
cinematic career as a trained film projectionist with LHM
Cinemas and then in turn, worked for KJZZ in their editing
department. After a stopover at Azevedo Studios, he has
branched out into the world of independent cinema and day
trading. He is a proud University of Utah Film School/Coding
graduate, and a lover of all visual arts. Mr. Calderon
encourages everyone to “look deeper” as a life mantra.

Special thanks to
The Shop
V School
Vitascope
Utah Film School
& special thanks to
Sindee Savage
Mo Reeder
O’falafel ETC

This film was approved for fiscal sponsorship through the Utah Film Center. All donations are welcome, visit: https://bit.ly/47pXl8H

Scan this QR code to access the funding page.