The Steppes (2011) | Stream

THE STEPPES 

Suffering from Cibophobia, fear of food, Miri, as a young girl, survived the 1932 Ukrainian Holodomor during which millions died of starvation. Now in the US she is running a rundown SRO hotel in San Francisco's Tenderloin. Her granddaughter arrives and inspires a long-buried confession about the death of her mother. The hotel is threatened with foreclosure. Can Miri find the strength to survive?

World Premiere: Moscow International Film Festival, 2011

Special Press Award: Russia Abroad International Film Festival, 2011

Retrospective: A 4 film Nilsson Tribute featuring The Steppes, 2011

Director:

• Rob Nilsson

Story:

• Rob Nilsson

Improvised by the Cast:

• Miri: Irit Levi

• Rachel: Nancy Bower

• Sidney: Derrick O’Connor

• Oleg: David Hess

• Oba: Marion Christian

• Chloe: Liz Taylor

Additional Characters:

• Charlie: Ramu Aki

• Bedu: Bruce Marovich

• Chester: Damien Davis

• Antionette: Morgan Richard

Performers:

• Singer: Nikolai Massenkoff

• Musician: Aleksander Yaskin

• Katia: Catherine Troosh

• DJ: Nero Nava

Bus Kids:

• Matthew Nicholson

• Gary Tate

• Miguel Rengifo

• Malik Congress

Diner Patrons:

• Stuart Sloane

• Rosie Le Garmseur

• Donald Earl Johnson

• Keith Truit

• Hillary Brown

• Steve Ogren

• James G. Lester

• Chanh Soc Chuong

• Tommy Yn

• Stephanie

Salsa Dancers:

• Jose Luis Bail

• Avalon Bates

• Lou Casey Blanco

• Jeanette Duong

• Camila Friedlander

• Ashianti A. Griffin

• Cherie Harrison

• Shih Fa Kao

• Scott Kinney

Director of Photography:

• Mickey Freeman

Camera Assistants:

• Stephen Lee, Rand Courtney

Cityscape Cinematography:

• Adam Wilt

Rob’s Personal Assistant:

• Anne-Marie Ross

Art Directors:

• Joel Simone, Nero Nava

Set Designers:

• Anne-Marie Ross 

• Edward Volkert 

• Dan Thompson

• Jessica Wilkinson

Props/Wardrobe:

• Edward Volkert, Anne-Marie Ross

Make-Up:

• Liz Taylor

Locations:

• The Faithful Fools Street Ministry:

Courtesy of Sr. Carmen Barsody & Rev. Kathryn Jorgenson

• Lafayette Grill:

Courtesy of Stephanie

• Himalayan Corner:

Courtesy of Tsering Samdup

• Beach Motel:

Courtesy of Management

• Katia’s Russian Tea Room:

Courtesy of Catherine Troosh

• Starlight Travel Agency:

Courtesy of Raymond Ly

• 222 Hyde Bar:

Courtesy of Emilio Giraudbit

Gaffer/Media Management:

• Gary Felder

Sound:

• Chikara Motomura

Editors:

• Karen Kinghan & Michael MacBroom

Additional Editing, Color Timing:

• Arthur Vibert

Music and Sound Design:

• Al Nelson

Singer, Arranger & Producer:

• Nikolai Massenkoff (*Evening Bells Russian recording*)

Music Consultant:

• Charlie Wilson

Music:

• "Sunniland":

Composed and performed by David Hess (©2010, A Bojesa Song)

• "Ha-Ha" & "Vegas":

Arranged and performed by Ukrainian artists Damian Sawka, Paul Granger, Dave Martindale, Tom Werbowetski (©2006)

Project Coordinator/Producer:

• Joel Simone

Producers:

• Irit Levi & Rob Nilsson

Executive Producer:

• I.L. Seymour

Special Thanks:

• H.O. Levi

• Bill Megalos

• Trudy Fisher

• Hemmerling Foundation

• Joel Simone

• Ron & Cathy Stuart

• Paul Greenberg

• David & Carol Richards

• Marshall Spigitt

• John & Marsha Stout

Okunrin Meta David Schickele