THE REAL DEAL, a documentary chronicling the evolution and impact of the homeless performance group Los Angeles Poverty Department (L.A.P.D.) and founder John Malpede.  Produced by the Halo Group, THE REAL DEAL was directed by Tom Jones and written by Jones and John Malpede.

The Real Deal is the story of John Malpede and the L.A.P.D., the Los Angeles Poverty Department.  Twenty years ago, Malpede left the performance art scene in New York and landed on Skid Row, Los Angeles, working as an advocate for the homeless.  Over two decades, he has transformed what he calls a “hair brained idea”, a theater group comprised of the homeless, into a performance art phenomenon.

AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE 
78 minutes  /  Price for individuals $35 and for institutions $150 (shipping included)
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May 16 through May 26, 2007:  Festival de Cannes features the THE REAL DEAL at the Short Film Corner, located in the Palais des Festivals.

Launched in 2004 by the Festival de Cannes, the Short Film Corner is a short film market and meeting place for all innovative and creative film makers as well as a space to showcase short films to potential buyers. Opened to all the professionals registered to the Festival de Cannes, the Short Film Corner presents films from all over the world, most previously unseen, as well as the films included in the Official Competition, the Cinéfondation, the Director's Fortnight and Critic's Week.  All the participating films, as well as the films in the Official selections, are digitalized and permanently viewable on the Short Film Corner interactive screens for the duration of the festival.

Thursday, April 19 2007: 7 PM Screening of "The Real Deal"
In the ALOUD series at the Public Library, down town Los Angeles.
Panel discussion with director John Malpede, producer Tom Jones and others.

Jan. 10, 2007: screening at Nieuwpoort Theater in Gent, Belgium as the kick-off for the project Legal * Illegal: a co production of LA Poverty Department, Nieuwpoort Theater and Unie der Zorgelozen.

June 27 - July 8, 2006: theatrical release at the Ketelhuis movie theatre in Amsterdam during the performances of 'Sleepwalking Democracy'; a co-production of LA Povery Department and Made in da Shade.

Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 7:00PM Screening:
Sauk Valley Community College Theater, Dixon, IL 61021
The event is being cosponsored by the college and the Phidian Art Club.

October 14 2006, 2 PM: screening of  'the Real Deal' 
in the Impact Festival at the Culture Project in New York.
      www.impactfestival.org/

April 5 – 9, 2006: The Beverly Hills Film Festival.  THE REAL DEAL premiered on Saturday, April 8, 11:15 AM at the Clarity Theater and won the award for best producer at the Beverly Hills Film Festival 


The story of the film is nearly as long as the history of LAPD. It’s become a part of it. Tom plugged away at this with a determination that went beyond a desire to make a film. The REAL DEAL is an expression of Tom’s belief in LAPD and it’s mission to create community and speak for social justice. LAPD has been called, “an imperfect act of faith”. It only exists because the value placed in it by it’s members. You put Tom’s belief together with the beliefs of everyone involved, you’ve got one mighty stack of pancakes. You can’t get to The Real Deal by shortcut.
John Malpede.

Quick time movie: www.halogroup.net/studio2.mov
CBS / Studio 2 interview by Laura Diaz with Tom Jones and John Malpede and Praz Michelle from 'the Fugees'. (April 16, 2006)