Kirk Douglas has acted for the last time.
Douglas? final film, “Illusion,” tells the story of Donald Baines, a dying film director whose only regret is the rejection of his illegitimate son, Christopher. Baines is visited by the ghost of a friend who reveals to him mini-movies of Christopher?s tragic life. He is then given the gift of redemption and the chance to help Christopher.
“I realized there was a period in my life where maybe I was so wrapped up in making a movie that my children missed something. I think this picture allowed me to do something for my kids before I die,” the Hollywood veteran said. “This is my last picture.”
“Illusion” won?t be seen on the big screen. Spiritual Cinema Network, an organization dedicated to distributing spiritual films, will release the movie.
“Illusion” was written and directed by actor Michael Goorjian, who also stars as Christopher. Although Goorjian practically bankrupted himself to make the film, he says it was worth it.
“Movies are being made that are good, but they point out the negative side of life,” he said. “I want to make pictures that inspire people.”
Goorjian first shot all of Christopher?s scenes, then showed them to Douglas.
“I was just in the middle of writing a book about my 90th birthday,” the 88-year-old actor said. “When you get to that age, you do a lot of inventory. ?Illusion? appealed to me. I found something spiritual in it.”
The film touches on the concept of Akashic records, a New Age idea that everyone?s human experience is recorded and stored. “Everybody I know has said at some point that they feel like their life is like a movie,” Goorjian said. “That metaphor, that everyone?s life has been recorded, I thought it visually and metaphorically worked for the film.”
“To me, it was a wonderful thing to work with so many young people; it was almost rejuvenating to me,” Douglas said of his filming experience. “I enjoyed it very much.”
?Illusion? Screening
» Venue: Your Prescription for Health Learning Center
» Where: 10210 S. Dolfield Road, Owings Mills
» When: 7 p.m. March 18 and April 1; 7:30 p.m. March 31
» Tickets: $10
» Information: 410-581-9022
