~ THE MOVIE HOPE BOOK ~

HOPE to have a World Premiere at Cannes 08

By glamsham
Friday Feb 1 1:45 PM
Bollywood Trade News Network

A powerful US Senator built his campaign career on a conservative platform. Most recently, he's been challenged for his tough stance against embryonic stem cell research. When a tragedy devastates his family, he is faced with a crucial choice: his family or his philosophical beliefs. Can he be true to both? HOPE (the movie) offers viewers a dramatic, heartrending glimpse into the heart of a family that must make tough choices when a shocking crime breaks their hearts. You'll meet other families who are challenged by chronic illnesses and who reach achingly toward the hope offered by stem cell research. Hope... in Vitro (the novel) was released earlier this year. Chawla brings ten years as a neurologist to his novel, giving it medical authenticity as well as vivid emotional depth garnered from treating hundreds of chronically ill patients.

The compelling and timely plot of Hope... in Vitro drew the interest of Midwest movie makers. A movie based on the book, titled HOPE (Starring: Bob Paisley and Jan Chapman from Kansas City and Inder Mishra from New Delhi), is in the post production phase. Rich Ambler a Kansas film director has directed this movie. The screenplay has been written by Shelley Chawla, Dianne Wilson and Chris Ryan. Movie was shot in Kansas City and New Delhi.

iDream Independent Pictures based in London and Mumbai has been involved with the production and/or distribution of notable films such as MONSOON WEDDING, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, BOLLYWOOD/HOLLYWOOD and recently AMERICANIZING SHELLEY and THE LAST MONK. It's now considering to take over HOPE and become the worldwide exclusive sales agent for this interesting film.

Embryonic Stem Cell
India-born doc’s effort to change US attitude
Vimal Sumbly
Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, June 7
Shelley Chawla, an India- born doctor practising medicine in the United States, has questioned the conservative American mindset against the embryonic stem cell research. He has scripted a movie, 'Hope' and also brought out its printed version. The movie and novel reflect the liberal American paradox that questions embryonic stem cell research in too conservative fashion.

Chawla studied in the Sacred Heart Convent School, Sarabha Nagar and the Dayanand Medical College here and is the son of Dr LS Chawla,a former vice- chancellor of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences. He was here to shoot 'Hope' which mostly has been shot in America. Some parts are being filmed in Chandigarh also.

According to Chawla, the novel and the movie seek to challenge the Americans to examine their attitudes to embryonic stem cell research. It tries to break new ground in conveying the complexity of bio-ethical issues while sharing raw, often tender accounts of patients and families suffering under the burden of catastrophic illness and injury.

The story is of a Conservative (US) Congressman whose son suffers serious spinal injuries in an accident. He is told his only hope was the embryonic stem cells. He is caught between his Conservative beliefs and the duty towards his son as all through his career he has opposed embryonic stem cell research. He is advised to go to India where embryonic stem cell research has reached an advanced stage. The story has been narrated passionately.

Chawla said, his novel and movie might not bring an instant resolution of the problem. "But it will certainly throw up a debate and may hopefully lead to some conclusion", he said, adding, the medical and scientific community in America is faced with a strange dilemma. "It is a paradox the embryonic stem cell research is forbidden in the US, the so called modern and progressive nation, where it could lead to positively conclusive results", he remarked, hoping the debate the movie and novel might generate may make people reconsider their attitudes.

The Hindu
June 03, 2007
By SUCHITRA BEHAL

SENATOR Bob Moreland is dead against embryonic stem cell research. He believes it is an unethical way to look for medical salvation to diseases of the spine and has based his political career on this stance.

But his life and work is questioned when his son is involved in a tragic car accident on his 18th birthday. Moreland’s life falls apart, his beliefs are questioned and his wife suddenly seems to distance herself from him.

Little does he realise that these extreme reactions are due to his political beliefs, which have affected a large number of people.

One such disgruntled man rams his car into the senator’s. His son is driving on that fateful day that will change Bob Moreland’s life.

Even as the various family members try to cope with the tragedy and look for options, Moreland refuses to give in. But when his son and wife decide to take a shot at the little known treatment on nothing but hope, he is forced to retract and assures them that though he will not go the whole hog , he will still support their decision. The book addresses the complex bio-ethical issues that surround stem cell research and forces readers to question their beliefs.

Hope... in Vitro; Shelley Chawla and Dianne Wilson; Mannat Productions; price not mentioned.

Screenplay has been written by Chris Ryan, Dianne Wilson and Shelley Chawla and the movie id being directed by Rich Ambler and Milind Gaur

By Claire Engelken
The Capital-Journal
Published Thursday, July 12, 2007

Dr. Shelley Chawla feels most comfortable in an exam room, but recently has spent some time working on a movie set where a screenplay he wrote, "Hope," is becoming a motion picture.

"We aren't using any big names. It's a low-budget film," said Chawla. "I really enjoyed being on the set."

The film was shot in New Delhi, India, and Kansas City, Kan. Chawla said he expects it to be finished by October.

"We are hoping for a theatrical release." Chawla said. "We will have DVDs for sure."

Chawla, 42, co-wrote the screenplay with Dianne Wilson and Christopher Ryan. The movie's counterpart, a novel titled "Hope ... in vitro," was written after the screenplay and is available for purchase.

"The movie was more interesting to make, and I think it will have more of an impact than the book," Chawla said.

The movie is directed by Rich Ambler, who with Chawla formed Hope Productions. Chawla said many Topeka doctors have helped fund and support the project.

The film and novel focus on a conservative politician whose position on embryonic stem cell research is put to the test when his son Josh suffers a crippling injury. Josh's only chance to avoid lifelong paralysis is a breakthrough treatment available only in India. He is helped by an Indian neurologist who now practices in the United States, much like Chawla himself.

Chawla was born and raised in India, where he also attended medical school. He completed his residency at the University of Illinois-Chicago and has been a practicing neurologist in Topeka for seven years.

Chawla said his job exposed him to patients suffering from such diseases as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's — some of which would be helped by stem cell research.

"I want to help my patients as much as possible and one religious perspective is holding back all the research in the United States," Chawla said. "I wanted to educate people on the good points of stem cells. Many people have the wrong idea about how the research works."

Chawla knows the subject of stem cell research often provokes strong feelings and opinions.

"I'm a very spiritual person and I hate conflict," he said. "I don't want to tread on anyone's beliefs."

Chawla said the movie and novel present both sides of the stem cell research debate and aim simply to educate the public.

"What family is not personally affected by one of these diseases?" he said. "I want people to read the book and watch the movie, then decide for themselves what they believe."

Chawla lives in Topeka with his wife, Anita, and daughters Mannat, 8, and Ruhani, 4. He plans to write another screenplay after completing his current project.