THE CUCKOLD is a controversial dramatic feature that pushes a camera lens through the peephole of American taboo, focusing on the flashpoint where racial and sexual tensions collide. While set against the backdrop of a little-known fetish in the swinging lifestyle called ‘cuckolding’, THE CUCKOLD tells the broader story of two suburban couples and two urban men whose lives collide in a tale woven together by the threads of deceit, lust, and primal vengeance. It also explores the consequences and risks in looking beyond the skin in search of love. We invite you to explore the world of THE CUCKOLD.

PRODUCTION
The Cuckold is an independent feature length drama filmed in HDV. It was shot in and around Buffalo, New York in seventeen glorious days and then went on to ten months of tedious hard work in post production. Currently the film is being submitted to film festivals and the producers are working on finding the right distributor and attaining theatrical distribution prior to DVD sales.

THE CAST
With a combination of talented actors from both New York City and Buffalo, our cast was exceptional in their roles:
Tobin Tyler as 'Luther'

Tracey B. Wilson as 'Shannon Carmichael'

Guy Balotine as 'Mark Carmichael'

Amber Paul as 'Nicole Bellamy'

Addison Henderson as 'Broderick Bellamy'

Peter Johnson as 'Maxwell'

Alex Kelly as 'Mahogany'

Mary Craig as 'Big Mama'

with:
Nicole Colon as 'Isabella'
Stan Simmons as 'Thad'

THE WRITER/DIRECTOR
Jonathan Corban Butler was born in Buffalo, NY. At the age of 16, he followed his father (an Evangelical minister) into the pulpit preaching in small local churches and to convention crowds tallying in the thousands. It was in researching and writing these sermons that Jonathan first realized the power of the written word.

During this time, Jonathan learned the plumbing trade at a vocational high school. Upon graduation he volunteered these skills building schools for missionaries. After reaching journeyman status at the age of 23 he started a company testing and repairing back-flow prevention devices.

However, like many of us, Jonathan found himself at a crossroads and needed to make a choice: either ride life’s comfortable momentum - one set by the winds of circumstance and the influence of others - or blaze a new trail into far more dangerous territory… the pursuit of his dreams.

The catalyst in choosing that path was closer than he could imagine.

Just months before Sept. 11th, 2001 Jonathan was on a flight home from New York City when a fellow passenger had a seizure. That incident led to a series of chance events that ended with his meeting Dr. Cynthia Ambres.

After reading his writing samples Cynthia encouraged Jonathan to consider writing full-time, specifically adapting his graphic novel concept ‘The Clan Destined’ into a screenplay. Jonathan did just that: he closed his company to work part-time and voraciously study the craft of screenwriting.

Though The Clan Destined script was well received many in the industry warned that it’s scope and budget made it less likely to be produced from a first-time writer. Advised to write his first film ‘smaller’, Jonathan decided that if he were to write a film outside the studio system it would be about a subject mainstream studios weren’t likely to tackle.

The result is THE CUCKOLD, a controversial dramatic feature about the dichotomies of race and sex in America set against the backdrop of a little-known fetish in the swinging lifestyle called ‘cuckolding’. It’s also a love story told through the eyes of two people who can see beneath the skin.

Dr. Ambres produced the film and Jonathan wrote and directed it. Over 17 hectic (but glorious) shooting days their dedicated cast and crew rolled up their sleeves and birthed THE CUCKOLD.

THE PRODUCER
Cynthia Ambres was born in Queens, New York. Though neither of her parents had gone to college she learned early the importance of education, hard work, and persistence. She entered Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a chemistry major at the age of 15 and graduated medical school at 22. Cynthia went on to obtain a Master’s in Health Policy and Management from NYU. After many years in the field, practicing, teaching, consulting and administrating, she decided to go back to school for training in acupuncture and holistic medicine.

Her career path took her to Buffalo, NY where she was a senior executive at a health insurer and then a large hospital system. She spent her free time working with young people on their own dreams. She also wrote, hosted and co-produced a health education show for kids with the Buffalo Bills, called Kids in the End Zone, wrote and acted in television ads in a joint venture with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western NY and Rite Aid, and traveled across the country speaking on the state of health care in America, alternative medicine and women’s health.

Cynthia met Jonathan on a delayed flight from JFK to Buffalo and, through a series of ‘stranger than fiction’ events on the tarmac, spent several hours talking with him. They later connected again in Buffalo and started their journey of creative discovery. Jon had been writing lyrics for several years. Together they put together four local artists’ work and submitted them to Billboard. Two of the four were chosen for the Billboard New Artist Showcase and invited to perform in Miami. In 2004, the two traveled to Miami with a videographer, where Jonathan and another artist performed at the Billboard Hip-Hop Conference.

Cynthia and Jonathan discussed his multiple ideas for films, decided that this should be the focus, and began working together on story. Jonathan completed his first script, The Clan Destined, a sci-fi action movie based on his idea for a graphic novel in 2005. In the summer of 2006 they shot a short based on his second script, THE CUCKOLD, to help prepare them for the arduous process of shooting a feature length film. They pulled together a wonderful, small Buffalo-based crew to shoot the short and that crew became the core of the team that would shoot the feature a year later. Cynthia worked on every aspect of pre production from casting, location management, and budget preparation to vendor solicitation and insurance procurement.

While working together on a third script, they relocated to Los Angeles in late 2007 to complete post-production of THE CUCKOLD. The film is completed and being submitted to festivals this summer.

Read the Buffalo News article about the private screening held in Buffalo HERE.

Written & Directed by Jonathan Corban Butler. Produced by Cynthia Ambres.