In the early 1980s AIDS began its sweep through the United States. Confronting God touches on the implications that arose concerning those who contracted the mysterious disease. I was asked by filmmaker Betsey Grupp to play the role of Greg Richards, a small-town mayor and local hero, diagnosed with what became known as the "gay man's" disease. Richards, with rapidly depleting strength, is left to defend not only his competence as a city leader but his marriage. When the doctor declares Richards infected, it can mean only one thing. Layla clings to a decaying marriage paralleled by the slow deterioration of her husband, the father to their young son. Facing certain death, Richards has few options but to retain his character in truth. And Layla must decide to accept it.

This project took me from the Spring into the Summer. I was hired very early on and personally read opposite all the possible "Laylas" that auditioned until we came to Cyndi Joy "CJ" Thorne. CJ arrived with a high level of surety, cool and confidence in her work. Her attractiveness would contrast greatly against my Kaposi's Sarcoma-spotted face. We made our way up to Hollowville, New York with open roads one's car had to crawl over for fear of hitting some kind of large animal -- or getting hit by one. The location was minutes from my old friends', Jim Ivory and the late Ismail Merchant (Merchant Ivory Productions), Claverack home. Camille M. Harris transformed my face into an image that compelled me to weakness. Then at some point, the daughter we had in the script, turned into a son when this very sweet ten-year-old boy showed up on set who provoked enough heartbreak to help this film carry its theme through.

Confronting God was written and directed by Betsey Grupp. Shooting took place entirely in Hollowville, New York by cinematographer Johnny Sousa on a Canon C300 with Sigma lenses.

Running Time: 15 minutes