The show must go on, as they say in the theater. It's true in the film world as well. Even when the theater you rehearsed in is gone.

VM Productions' cast and crew, hammered from all sides with threats from the mafia, a missing screenwriter, lost scripts, actors leaving, rumors of occult dealings and the closing of the Hub theater (their rehearsal and filming space) just months before filming, are determined to go on. Encouraged by cast and crew members--themselves sometimes targets of mafia threats--lead actor Nathanael Thiesen and supporting actress Devorah Dishington will continue searching for the truth behind this productions' peculiar happenings

The film in question, "Notes from the New World," was initially the brain child of Robert Hurley and director Vitaly Sumin, and the two brought a modern twist to Fyodor Dostoyevsky's "Notes from the Underground," upon which the film is based. Hurley disappeared some months later, taking the vital shooting script with him, and left behind a diary containing hints that Dostoyevsky's story had certain "codes" hidden in the text.

These codes deal with a certain cult called "Dark Onto Light," dating back some 3,000 years. This cult is linked with everything from the design to the pentagram to the overthrow of the Russian monarchy in 1917 by the Bolsheviks. Its details are listed in other parts of this site

After his disappearance, Hurley sent several emails to the female members of the cast asking for help from the Russian Mafia, who apparently do not want these codes revealed. All the cast members in question were reticent to discuss details, but some insist Mr. Hurley is simply playing a game.

Amid much arguing among the cast and crew, many discussed dropping the picture all together--as some did. But Dishington and Mack have decided to search for Hurley, probe his occult dealings, question the girls he's after and dispense with threats by the mafia in order to once and for all clear VM Production's plate so filming can continue.

Amid what must be terrible pressure from the knowledge that making your own film is reason enough for many headaches, this determination is encouraging to all.