May/June 2007 Living Now
Illusion Gives Actor Kirk Douglas a Second Chance

The award-winning film Illusion, starring Kirk Douglas, tells the story of a once powerful but now old and ailing film producer, who finds himself in deep regret over rejecting his only child, an illegitimate son. Late one night the legendary director is ?awakened? by the ghost-like presence of his dear, departed friend and editor, Stan. Through Stan, the old man discovers the possibility of redemption and discovers surprising truths about his son and himself.

Working on the film gave Douglas a real-life experience of redemption.

"My stroke at one time gave me suicidal impulses because what does an actor do who can?t talk? He waits for silent pictures to come back," says Douglas at a recent teleconference. "That joke has saved me when I was trying to talk again. It made me realize how many things in life we take for granted. You begin to be more grateful and more humble."

Illusion is available on DVD through The Spiritual Cinema Circle at www.spiritualcinemacircle.com or through GAIAM at www.gaiam.com.